contents
01 Director’s Message 06 SING LIT 101: HOW TO READ A 02 literary arts SINGAPOREAN POEM
14 literary arts: talks & workshops
17 FILM
21 MUSIC
25 Visual arts
28 Event Listings
30 Shop & Dine 04 MINORITY REPORT at The Arts House
31 The Arts House Box office
32 our spaces
33 About The Arts House 27 20 WHITE PRINCESS TYRANNOSAUR ALIAS MONT BLANC
23 AMNI CONCERT
26 Cats Of The World Photo Exhibition
The information is accurate as at time of print and changes could have been made since then. For updates, please visit our website at www.theartshouse.com.sg
Director’s Message
My favourite Singapore novel is Goh Poh Seng's If We Dream Too Long. Set in Singapore in the 1960s, it follows Kwang Meng, a young man who was trying to figure out what to do with his life. The novel is prescient in capturing the anomie and anxiety of a young generation at the cross-roads, in a country that is undergoing rapid transformation. Published in 1972, the book, widely recognised as the first Singapore novel, has lost none of its power and relevance today. Its themes of belonging, identity, connection and alienation are still very much pertinent today. Anyone who wants to know more about Singapore then and now should read it.
In fact, anyone who wants to understand Singapore better should also attend our new programme, Sing Lit 101: How to Read a Singapore Poem (pg 6). It is said that poetry is closer to vital truth than history. So over six weeks, noted writer and lecturer Dr Gwee Li Sui will take us through the writing of six seminal poems by six writers (Edwin Thumboo, Arthur Yap, Wong May, Lee Tzu Pheng, Chandran Nair and Goh Poh Seng) to get straight to the heart of Singapore. You don't have to be a writer or a poetry acolyte to enjoy his "lessons". Set in a faux classroom setting, the talks will be thoughtful, passionate and witty. What better way to (re)acquaint yourself with Singapore than to enjoy Singapore poetry during our National Day celebrations!
Over two weekends from September to October, we are also celebrating the art of short form writing. We Love Shorts (pg 3) fetes everything short and casts the spotlight on this underappreciated form of writing. And join us too in welcoming Scottish poet John Burnside and Egyptian writer Shereen El Feki, who will be featured in our World Voices series (pg 7) in a new partnership with the Melbourne Writers Festival.
See you at The Arts House!
William Phuan Director, The Arts House
1\37 literary arts
Wong May Dragon-fly Dragon-fly Ah, your bride, your diaphanous happiness Your37\ diaphanous2 wings Brittler than your veil, Brittler than any bride’s Brittler than any dragon-fly’s wings. Diaphanous veil. Kiss the ripple, dragon-fly, featured WE LOVE SHORTS!
A short story might be brief, but writing a good short story is an art The Arts House form of its own, requiring precision and a great deal of editing as every word matters in delivering the greatest impact with the least Various rooms number of words. We Love Shorts! celebrates the art of short form 26 - 29 Sep & 3 - 6 Oct writing, gathering local short story writers and readers over two weekends to share their love for this genre. For more information, please visit www.theartshouse.com.sg Starting off in September is the staging of a multidisciplinary theatrical production based on Zakaria Ali’s Gajah Putih (White Elephant) and Rasiah Halil’s Pertemuan (Encounter), held in conjunction with the National Library Board’s Read! Singapore initiative. In addition, aspiring writers can explore various techniques in short story writing in a writing bootcamp facilitated by our local writers. But Is The Book Better? also joins in with a two-month focus on master writer of science fiction and short story, Philip K. Dick.
In October, we shine the spotlight on Ryūnosuke Akutagawa (1892 – 1927). Widely regarded as the Father of the Japanese short story, Akutagawa did not write any full-length novels, focusing instead on short stories of which he wrote over 150.
In addition to showcasing film adaptations of Akutagawa’s works such as Rashomon, The Outrage and Iron Maze during But Is The Book Better?, there will be a panel discussion on his legacy and how his short stories transcend various mediums to films and stage performances.
3\37 featured
Considered as one of the most important science fiction and short story writers of his generation, American Philip K. Dick pushes BUT IS science fiction to its extremes without losing his touch to entertain. In conjunction with We Love Shorts!, we bring you the best of Philip BOOK K. Dick with a two-month focus of some of the best films adapted THE from his short stories.
T he A rtsBETTER? House About Philip K. Dick Philip K. Dick was born in Chicago, Illinois on 16 December 1928. His twin sister Jane Charlotte Dick’s death six weeks after their birth affected Dick’s life profoundly, leading to the recurrent motif of ‘phantom twin’ in his books. Dick published 121 short stories and 44 novels in his lifetime. Most of his career as a writer was spent near-poverty as he received little to zero recognition. He became famous posthumously, for the cult films Blade Runner and Total Recall.
Screening Room \ 24 Aug – 14 Sep \ Free admission
BLADE RUNNER
Adapted from Philip K. Dick’s novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, Blade Runner is set in the year 2019 where genetically engineered organic robots called replicants are manufactured by the powerful Tyrell Corporation and burnt-out expert Blade Runner Rick Deckard is tasked to hunt them down. The film’s dark and futuristic style created a benchmark that went on to influence subsequent science fiction films, video games and television programmes.
24 Aug, 3pm & 13 Sep, 7.30pm Director: Ridley Scott \ Writers: Hampton Fancher, David Peoples Cast: Harrison Ford, Sean Young, Rutger Hauer 1982 \ UK \ 117min \ NC16 MINORITY REPORT
It is the year 2054 and “Precrime”, an elite law-enforcing squad, is able to arrest criminals before they commit their crimes. An officer from that unit found himself accused of a future murder.
In this film, besides making obvious changes to the setting from New York City to Washington D.C., Baltimore and Northern Virgina, Spielberg also altered the main character to an athletic officer and captured the audience’s imagination with technology which was unheard of at that point in time.
24 Aug, 7.30pm & 14 Sep, 3pm Director: Steven Spielberg Writers: Scott Frank, Jon Cohen Cast: Tom Cruise, Colin Farrell, Samantha Morton 2002 \ UK \ 145min \ PG
37\4 featured THE ADJUSTMENT BUREAU
The Adjustment Bureau is a romantic action thriller loosely based on Philip K. Dick’s short story Adjustment Team. In 2006, congressman David Norris unsuccessfully runs for the United States Senate. While researching his concession speech, he meets Elise Sellas, a ballerina. However, mysterious forces seem to keep David and Elise apart.
The New York Times called the film “a fast, sure film about finding and keeping love across time and space . . . [that] has brightened the season with a witty mix of science-fiction metaphysics and old- fashioned romance.”
26 Aug, 7.30pm & 12 Sep, 7.30pm \ Director/Writer: George Nolfi Cast: Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Michael Kelly \ 2011 \ UK \ 106min \ PG PAYCHECK
In this adaptation by John Woo, reverse engineer Michael Jennings wipes out the knowledge of his engineering to protect his clients’ intellectual property and himself. Based on Philip K. Dick’s book of the same title, Paycheck is a departure from the book. While the short story is more subtle and thought-provoking, the film used the premise of the story and extends it into an action film with fight scenes and the typical car chases.
27 Aug, 7.30pm & 11 Sep, 7.30pm \ Director: John Woo Writer: Dean Georgaris \ Cast: Ben Affleck, Uma Thurman, Aaron Eckhart 2003 \ UK \ 119min \ PG A SCANNER DARKLY
A faithful adaptation of Philip K. Dick’s 1997 British Science Fiction Association (BSFA) award winning novel, A Scanner Darkly takes the viewer on a visual spectacle unlike any other. The film was shot digitally and then animated using interpolated rotoscope, an animation technique which have animators tracing over footage, frame by frame over the original footage, giving it a distinct animated look.
28 Aug, 7.30pm & 10 Sep, 7.30pm \ Director/Writer: Richard Linklater Cast: Keanu Reeves, Robert Downey Jr., Winona Ryder 2006 \ UK \ 100min \ M18
5\37 featured SING LIT 101: HOW TO READ A SINGAPOREAN POEM
Gwee Li Sui and In an inspiring new series that celebrates the life and power of The Arts House Singaporean poetry, let literary critic and poet Dr Gwee Li Sui bring you on a literary journey with a local flavour where he packs six Screening Room major English poems from Singapore's formative decades in an easy- to-digest format. 17 & 31 Aug, 14 & 28 Sep,
12 & 26 Oct \ 11am - 1pm 17 Aug: Edwin Thumboo’s Ulysses by the Merlion Panel Discussion: Easily Singapore’s most famous poem, Ulysses by the Merlion is also Blue Room its most misunderstood. Since its publication in 1979, this poem by 23 Nov, 3.30 - 5.30pm Edwin Thumboo has attracted many, sometimes conflicting critical and poetic responses.
$20 per session; 31 Aug: Arthur Yap’s 2 mothers in a h d b playground $100 per season pass It may be the late Arthur Yap’s most popular poem, but it is also one Student Concession: of his technically unusual pieces. It deviates from his abstract linguistic $10 per session; play and employs colloquial speech and humour to great effect. $50 per season pass
Tickets are available at 14 Sep: Wong May’s Dragon-fly www.bytes.sg Wong May’s poetic voice could be described as intense, graceful, and otherworldly. Dragon-fly is one such poem, exploring her enigmatic view on existence and relationships.
28 Sep: Lee Tzu Pheng’s My Country and My People It is arguably the most representative Singaporean poem on the theme of progress. Despite its honesty towards what society must face, the poem was banned from the airwaves for many years in the 1970s.
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WORLD VOICES PRESENTS BURMESE POETS
Moe Way Zeyar Lynn Eaindra
What is Burmese poetry in the 21st century? Burma/Myanmar has The Literary Centre been isolated from the rest of the world for over 50 years and is only and The Arts House now beginning to emerge from decades of strict military censorship. Poetry has always been the most popular form of literature in Living Room Burma, going back to the 9th century, and it has consistently been 13 Aug, 4pm the most censored. Free admission In a new era of post-censorship, we invite three key contemporary Burmese poets — all published in Bones Will Crow: 15 Burmese Poets (Arc Publications, 2012) — Zeyar Lynn, Moe Way and Eaindra. They will be joined by James Byrne, poet and co-editor of Bones Will Crow — the first anthology of modern Burmese poetry published outside of Burma — to discuss issues relating to Burmese poetry, past and present, examining how areas such as political censorship and international translation have affected the country’s literary aesthetic over the years.
This official launch of Bones Will Crow in Singapore is also the first major event on Burmese poetics to take place in the country.
A programme initiated by The Arts House, World Voices features writers from around the world and provides a platform for these talents to discuss their critically acclaimed works and interact with local readers. If you wish to be featured, please email [email protected].
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WORLD VOICES PRESENTS JOHN BURNSIDE
Melbourne This August and September, The Arts House partners with the Writers Festival Melbourne Writers Festival to present a special edition of World AND The Arts House Voices, featuring the writers John Burnside and Shereen El Feki.
Living Room John Burnside is a highly lauded author of fiction, memoirs, short stories and poetry. His oeuvre of works has received accolades such 20 Aug, 7.30pm as the T.S. Eliot Prize for Poetry. Free admission John’s work is known for its lyrical eloquence and sometimes visceral quality, woven with specific descriptions of landscapes owing to his John will also be conducting knowledge and love of ecology. For someone who started his literary a poetry workshop, Writing career considerably late, he is remarkably prolific and now considered Out of Wonder, on 21 Aug. one of the most important voices in contemporary literature. (Page 15) This session will be moderated by award-winning poet Alvin Pang.
About John Burnside John Burnside is a Scottish writer of fiction, memoirs, short stories and poetry. His poetry collections include Feast Days (1992), winner of the Geoffrey Faber Memorial Prize, The Asylum Dance (2000), winner of the Whitbread Poetry Award and most recently, Black Cat Bone (2011), which won both the Forward and the T. S. Eliot Prize. He is also the author of the memoir A Lie About My Father, The Saltire Book of the Year winner and SAC Sundial Non-Fiction Book of the Year in 2006. His collection of short stories, Something Like Happy, was published earlier this year.
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WORLD VOICES PRESENTS SHEREEN EL FEKI
This August and September, The Arts House partners with the Melbourne Writers Melbourne Writers Festival to present a special edition of World Festival and Voices, featuring the writers John Burnside and Shereen El Feki. The Arts House
Shereen El Feki’s first book Sex and the Citadel is a non-fiction Living Room based on five years of ground-breaking research across the Arab 6 Sep, 7.30pm region. It is a highly personal, and often humorous, account of one woman’s journey to better understand Arab society at its most Free admission intimate, and in the process, better understand her own origins. Talk: Sex and the Citadel Come meet the author as she shares about her wide-ranging career as a writer, broadcaster and academic and her journey to Screening Room writing her first book. 7 Sep, 11am This session will be moderated by Miral Fahmy, lead writer and Free admission senior sub-editor at Thomson Reuters.
About Shereen El Feki Shereen El Feki is a writer, broadcaster and academic with a doctorate in molecular immunology from the University of Cambridge. Her career took an unusual turn when she joined The Economist as Healthcare Correspondent, winning a few awards along the way. Her first book Sex and the Citadel was published in March 2013.
This edition of World Voices is supported by the NUS Middle East Institute.
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WORLD VOICES PRESENTS GILLIAN & VERNER BICKLEY
The Arts House Gillian and Verner Bickley are UK-born writers with a difference. Based in Hong Kong, they co-founded the publishing house Proverse Blue Room Hong Kong and the Proverse Prize.
14 Sep, 4pm Drawing on their combined academic, administrative and teaching Free admission experiences as well as varied long-term participation in reading, research, writing, editing, indexing, reviewing, publishing and authorship, Gillian and Verner mentor writers to improve manuscripts. Join us as they share about their roles as writers, publishers and mentors to promote promote literary arts in Asia.
This session will be moderated by Phan Ming Yen, a writer and arts administrator in Singapore.
About Gillian Bickley Gillian has recently concluded a career as a University teacher of English Literature spanning four continents. Her poetry has been anthologised in Hong Kong, the Philippines and the United Kingdom and individual poems have been translated into several languages.
About Verner Bickley Verner has lived in many countries and enjoyed different leadership roles and spheres of work (academic, cultural, diplomatic and educational). His experiences were told in his most recent book Steps to Paradise and Beyond: Hawaii to China, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong and Elsewhere.
37\10 literary arts BALLI KAUR JASWAL
Emerging writer Balli Kaur Jaswal grew up in Singapore, Japan, THE ARTS HOUSE Russia and the Philippines. Living Room Her debut novel Inheritance, about life in Singapore in the 1970s and 7 Aug, 7.30pm 1980s through the eyes of a Punjabi Sikh family, received glowing reviews when it was released earlier this year. Publications including Free admission The Monthly, The Australian, Women’s Weekly and Bookseller and Publisher magazine praised its lucid and evocative writing.
Recently appointed as the 2014 Creative Writing Resident at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, Balli will discuss and read from Inheritance in this session.
This session will be moderated by Jason Erik Lundberg, a novelist, editor, children’s book author and short story writer.
About Balli Jaswal Kaur While pursuing a degree in Creative Writing at Hollins University, Balli Jaswal Kaur wrote short stories prolifically and had her works published in EGO Magazine, Drunken Boat and Rosebud. In 2008, her short story Painters was nominated for the Pushcart Prize. Her debut novel Inheritance was released in February 2013.
11 \37 literary arts XIN QING RONG JI 心情溶剂
THE ARTS HOUSE This September, we welcome the finalists of Xin Qing Rong Ji 《心情溶剂》, a prestigious regional Chinese song writing Living Room competition aimed at youths. Let Peter Yeo, Ching Chee Sin, Yong Soo Yung and Simon Chong share how they mould their inspiration 24 Sep, 7.30pm into a beautiful marriage of music and lyrics. Free admission About Xin Qing Rong Ji《心情溶剂》 Xin Qing Rong Ji《心情溶剂》is a Chinese song writing competition aimed at young people to share their creativity with the region. It started in 1998 as a platform for youths to express their feelings through song writing and has now developed into a well- established competition in Singapore and Malaysia, featuring prominent artists as such as Li Wei-Song and Hong Junyang as judges in past competitions. Partnering with Ocean Butterflies and Touch Music, Xin Qing Rong Ji《心情溶剂》provides a professional and fair stage for budding young talents to gain an experience of a lifetime.
A programme initiated by The Arts House, New Word Order seeks to discover emerging talents in the literary arts scene and give a voice to new Singaporean writers and artistes who are exploring new ways of approaching the written word. If you wish to be featured, please email [email protected].
37\12 literary arts YOUNG AT ART: USING THE ARTS TO BUILD COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS WITH YOUNG PEOPLE The Arts House
The arts, and creative industries more generally, have the capacity Blue Room to engage a range of community groups in projects with highly visible and positive outcomes. Young people may be attracted 17 Aug, 11am – 12.30pm to projects which are ostensibly creative in intention but have the Free admission effect of allowing them to participate in, and be celebrated by, their community.
CITA: BAHASA & BUDAYA (LANGUAGE & CULTURE) National University of Singapore Department of Malay Studies and The Arts House
Cita comes again in Aug 2013 with a lecture by Dr Mukhlis Play Den Abu Bakar, from the National Institute of Education, Nanyang 31 Aug, 10am - 4pm Technological University, Singapore, who will deliberate on the language and cultural literacy in Singapore. This lecture in Malay Free admission will be followed by a discursive sharing session in English.
In the afternoon, let us enjoy the drum beats from Zhenghua Secondary School Drums Ensemble which will showcase the Nusantara’s repertoire, including its contemporary rendition.
Antique collector and cultural enthusiast Mr Khir Johari will deliver a Blue Room & Play Den lecture and lead a gallery walk. 21 Sep, 10am - 4pm Themed In The Eye of The Beholder, this session will showcase Free admission several cultural artifacts of the Malay-Indonesian region. Mr Khir will deliberate on the origins, techniques, form, functions, ornamentation, decorative forms, and role in Malay culture.
This session will be followed by Mr Andi Zulkepli, who will be speaking on The Conception of Culture Amongst the Malay Intelligentsia. Cita will end off with the staging of Panglima Awang, based on the famous novel by one of our national literary pioneers Harun Aminurrashid.
13\37 literary arts: talks & workshops TROPICAL LITERATURE & ART CLUB TALK SERIES 热带雅聚 Face-to-face with the Authors Series: A Disappearing Lifestyle 作家面对面系列（三）– 飘逝的风情 Tropical Literature & Art Club and The Arts House
Blue Room Towards the end of last year, two local Chinese authors Xu Fan and Xin Yu published their books on prose, titled Strolling Hearts 4 Aug, 2.30pm 《心田漫步》and Listening•Looking Back《 倾 听·回 眸 》respectively. Free admission Besides narrating incidents and people, many of the essays in the books look back fondly on the nature close to the villages on the island, as well as the days when lives were different. The writers shall share about the themes in their books and their memories of a different lifestyle back then. This session is moderated by famous local literary critic Dong Qin.
在去年底，辞旧迎新之际，徐帆、辛羽出版了他们的散文集《心田漫 步》和《倾听·回眸》。文集中除了写人叙事，许多篇幅回望了岛国曾 郁郁苍苍的乡野，描述了一段滋养生命的难忘岁月。在座谈会上，他 们还请来文艺评论家冬琴，三人将从作者、读者各自的角度，与大家分 享飘逝的风情。也期待出席座谈会的读者们，畅谈他们的阅读感受， 与大家交流。 September Poems Seminar 九月诗会 Tropical Literature & Art Club and The Arts House
Screening Room The September Poems Seminar is a showcase of new local and classical Chinese poetry, Malay pantuns and English poetry, with 1 Sep, 2.30pm Chinese orchestra music as accompaniment. Audiences are also Free admission encouraged to share and read their works during this session.
热带文学艺术俱乐部的 “九月诗会”，将以雅聚为平台，呈献一场 诗乐午会。朗诵的诗歌将以本地新诗为主，还有一些旧体诗、马来班 顿、英文诗。同时穿插华乐演奏，在乐曲声中配合朗诵或独唱，诗乐 交融，诗情荡漾。诗会欢迎参与者上台朗读诗篇，交流互动，活跃会 场气氛。
37\14 literary arts: talks & workshops WRITING OUT OF WONDER - POETRY WORKSHOP BY JOHN BURNSIDE The Arts House
Wonder is something that we treat with caution now, even suspicion, but the poetic tradition is rich in work that stands back in awe, celebrates and marvels at the – sometimes dark – beauty of the world around us.
The land, the sky, the great movements of the tides, the lives of other animals – they all inspire us to wonder, in its dual sense of being caught up in the wondrous and of experiencing the deep curiosity that we took for granted as children.
This workshop aims to explore the sense of wonder as we perceive it in our environments, and as language reveals it to us in ourselves, who are also part of the natural, part of the wild and the wondrous.
This workshop is presented in partnership with the Melbourne Writers Festival. John will also be featured in World Voices, on 20 Aug. (Page 7)
Living Room \ 21 Aug, 7.30pm \ $60; $40 (Concession for students, senior citizens, NSF and The Arts House members) CASE BOUND BOOKMAKING Pooja Makhijani and The Arts House
Learn how to bind a case bound book, a multiple page sewn book with hard covers. This elegant and sturdy hardcover binding is perfect for blank journals.
Paper and board are provided but students are welcome to bring their favourite decorative paper for their book covers. Students must bring their own pencil, pair of scissors and 12-inch ruler.
This workshop is conducted by Pooja Makhijani, a writer, editor, teacher, and book artist. She is the editor of Under Her Skin: How Girls Experience Race in America, an anthology of essays, and the author of Mama’s Saris, a picture book.
Blue Room \ 24 & 25 Aug, 2 – 4.30pm \ $75
15\37 literary arts: talks & workshops MAKE A BOOK! A PARENT-CHILD WORKSHOP Pooja Makhijani and The Arts House
Making a book is easier than you think! A piece of paper and a scissor are all that’s required to make a variety of beautiful and creative structures. In this parent/child workshop, make three books: an x book, a snake book, and a Venetian blind book. Materials and tools will be provided.
This workshop is conducted by Pooja Makhijani, a writer, editor, teacher, and book artist. She is the editor of Under Her Skin: How Girls Experience Race in America, an anthology of essays, and the author of Mama’s Saris, a picture book.
Living Room \ 14 Sep, 3 – 5pm \ $55 per parent-child pair WRITING SINGAPORE LITERAry forum 2013 SERIES Huai Ying : Experience of writing a novel 怀鹰: 我写长篇小说的经验 Writing Singapore (书写文学) and The Arts House
In this session by Singapore Chinese writer Huai Ying, he will share his experiences and knowledge in completing a novel through the setting of goals and topic, story layout and design of characters. This is a beneficial sharing session for writers, especially those starting out in novel writing.
通过这个讲座，怀鹰将与大家分享他写长篇小说的经验，包括如 何构思、题材设定、情节铺排、人物关系等，对有志于从事长篇 小说的作者有一定的帮助。
Blue Room \ 15 Sep, 2.30 – 5.30pm \ Free admission
37\16 film
Goh Poh Seng Bird with One Wing The black winds of evening Who scrawl their age-old script rustle along the quayside, a million light-years away, tonguing the bones of the houses, ignored by a faithless world: lapping the lees of the hills the power of man increases until whole hills are lost with the decline of the times; to the darkness, under the lamp-light, and we can claim at last dust from a hundred nuclear some kinship with the stars, fallouts shower the air.
For we relish only fire; our souls, not knowing what to believe, continue to hunger, planning factories and governments to reach into our bones: everywhere the gendarmes patrol us, armed with walkie-talkie and truncheon sticks.
Now darkness is upon the world, and all things are possible; other echoes inhabit the present, film
FRAME MENSTRUAL MAN
E M RA F
The Arts House There are men who squirm at the mention of a woman’s period. And then there is Muruganantham, a school dropout in India who went Screening Room to great extremes to produce low-cost sanitary pads for his wife. Once mocked by his own community, he is now acknowledged as a 14 – 21 Aug visionary for empowering rural women with access to both feminine Weekdays: 7.30pm & 9pm hygiene and a livelihood. Weekends: 3pm & 4.30pm, 7.30pm & 9pm Making its theatrical debut in Singapore at The Arts House, Menstrual Post-show Q&A with Man tells the story of the unlikeliest of heroes in a manner that is both director Amit Virmani: TBA funny and sad. This documentary by Singapore director Amit Virmani is not to be missed. $10; $8.50 (Concession for students, senior citizens and About Amit Virmani The Arts House members) Amit Virmani’s debut Cowboys in Paradise was one of the most talked- Tickets are available at about Asian documentaries in recent years. The controversial film was www.bytes.sg featured on CNN, BBC and various international media. It has been broadcast in over 100 countries and included in women studies curricula Director: Amit Virmani at more than 80 universities. Amit lives in Singapore. Menstrual Man is his 2013 \ Singapore second film. Documentary \ 63min In English and Hindi with English subtitles \ TBA
Frame x Frame is a new film series by The Arts House to showcase Singapore cinema. The quarterly programme will feature first-run of upcoming films as well as retrospectives of noted filmmakers.
37\18 film
FRAME INNOCENTS
E M RA F
Making its Singapore premiere in September at The Arts House, and The Arts House having recently won film director Wong Chen-Hsi the Best Director award at the 2013 Asian New Talent Awards, Innocents is a delicate Screening Room coming of age story about Syafiqah, a young girl who, after being abandoned by her parents, befriends an ostracised boy. 26 – 27 Sep & 3 – 4 Oct, 7.30pm \ 28 Sep & 5 Oct, Misunderstood and bullied, they while away the afternoons in the 2pm & 7.30pm giant canals behind their school, carving out a world of escape. 29 Sep, 2pm Gently immersive, the film investigates memories of childhood within Post-show Q&A with director/ the landscape of a swiftly evolving city state. producer Wong Chen-Hsi: 28 Sept & 4 Oct, 7.30pm Innocents premiered at the Rome International Film Festival in $10; $8.50 (Concession for November 2012, opening the competition section Alice Nella Citta. students, senior citizens and The film was also selected for the Jeonju International Film Festival in The Arts House members) April 2013 and was most recently shown at the prestigious Shanghai International Film Festival where film director Wong Chen-Hsi received Tickets are available at the Best Director award at the 2013 Asian New Talent Awards. www.bytes.sg
About Wong Chen-Hsi Director/Writer: Wong Chen-Hsi is a Singapore-based film director, visual artist and Wong Chen-Hsi lecturer. Her short films include the award-winning Who Loves the Sun Cast: Nameera Ashley, (2006), Conversations on Sago Lane (2010) and Open City at the Cai Chengyue Smell (2013). Innocents (2012) is her fiction feature debut. 2012 \ Singapore \ 88min In English and Malay with English subtitles \ TBA
19\37 film SFS TALKIES @ THE ARTS HOUSE TYRANNOSAUR Singapore Film Society and The Arts House
Shot in Leeds, England, Tyrannosaur is Paddy Considine’s debut music feature, winning the Directing Award and Special Jury Prize at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival and Outstanding Directorial Debut at the 2012 BAFTA Awards.
The story centres on Joseph (Peter Mullan), a man plagued by violence and a rage that is driving him to self-destruction. As his life spirals into turmoil, a chance at redemption appears in the form of Hannah (Olivia Colman), a married Christian charity shop worker who takes pity on him. However, Hannah is harbouring a dark secret of her own, one that threatens to fracture their relationship and bring devastating consequences to both of their lives.
Screening Room \ 25 & 29 Sep, 7.30pm \ $12; $10 (Concession for students and senior citizens); $8.50 (Singapore Film Society and The Arts Director: Paddy Considine \ Cast: Peter Mullan, Olivia Colman, Eddie Marsan \ 2011 \ UK \ 92 min \ M18 MIDDLE CINEMA & LITERATURE: MIDAQ ALLEY EAST Dragon Fly Productions and The Arts House FILM SCREENING Adapted from Nobel Prize-winning Egyptian author Naguib Mahfouz’s novel of the same title, Midaq Alley (1994), transported from Cairo, Egypt to downtown Mexico City, centres on life as a low-middle class residents. Written by Vicente Lenero and directed by Jorge Fons the film is told through three characters: Don Ru, a macho owner of a bar where most men gather to drink and play dominoes; Alma (Selma Hayek) the beautiful girl of the neighbourhood who dreams of passion but has bad luck in love; and Susanita, the owner of the apartment where Alma and many others live, who longs for love.
About Jorge Fons Fons studied film production at the University Center of Film Studies at National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), belonging to the very first generation of Mexican directors who studied to become filmmakers. His career has peaked recently with two of the most remarkable films of recent Mexican movie history: Red Dawn (1989) and El Midaq Alley (1995).
Screening Room \ 19 Sep, 7.30pm Free admission via registration at www.mei.nus.edu.sg Director: by Jorge Fons Writer: Vicente Leñero Cast: Ernesto Gómez Cruz, María Rojo, Salma Hayek 1995 \ Mexico \ 140 min In Spanish with English subtitles \ PG
37\20 music Edwin Thumboo Ulysses by the Merlion (for Maurice Baker) I have sailed many waters, But this lion of the sea Skirted islands of fire, Salt-maned, scaly, wondrous of tail, Contended with Circe Touched with power, insistent Who loved the squeal of pigs; On this brief promontory... Passed Scylla and Charybdis Puzzles. To seven years with Calypso, Heaved in battle against the gods. Nothing, nothing in my days Beneath it all Foreshadowed this I kept faith with Ithaca, travelled, Half-beast, half-fish, Travelled and travelled, This powerful creature of land and sea. Suffering much, enjoying a little; Met strange people singing Peoples settled here, New myths; made myths myself. Brought to this island The bounty of these seas, Built towers topless as Ilium's.
They make, they serve, They buy, they sell.
Despite unequal ways, Together they mutate, Explore the edges of harmony, Search for a centre; Have changed their gods, Kept some memory of their race In prayer, laughter, the way Their women dress and greet. They hold the bright, the beautiful, Good ancestral dreams Within new visions, So shining, urgent, Full of what is now.
Perhaps having dealt in things, Surfeited on them, Their spirits yearn again for images, Adding to the dragon, phoenix, Garuda, naga those horses of the sun, This lion of the sea, This image of themselves. film living with
The Arts House This August, join flautist Jeremy Lim and The Tango Sextet as they bring you on a musical journey, with some of the most virtuosic music Living Room from the flute repertory to tangos, romance and foxtrots.E uropean favourites from the early 1990s like Por Una Cabeza, Katya and 5 Aug & 2 Sep \ 8pm Lolas will be performed. $10 In September, be charmed by A Flutey Affair comprising of Sin Jin Tickets are available at How, Low Shao Suan, Low Shao Ying and the Brassisimo brass The Arts House Box Office quintet as they bring to the audience familiar favourites with the likes of Gershwin’s Summertime and a new flute ensemble piece written by Sin Jin How specially for the performance.
The longest running series programmed by The Arts House, Living with is a series of one-hour performances held on the first Monday evening of each month centred around the piano or on piano music. Established and aspiring musicians who are looking to perform in an intimate space may email your proposals to [email protected]
37\22 music AMNI CONCERT
Amni Musfirah will be pursuing her Bachelor of Music degree at the Amni Musfirah and renowned Berklee College of Music in the US and she is bidding The Arts House farewell at an intimate concert featuring popular hits by Whitney Houston, Beyonce Knowles and Christina Aguilera! Conceptualised Play Den and produced by Jeremiah Choy, Babes Conde and Amni, this 16 Aug, 8pm talented vocalist will be accompanied by guest star Nicole Tan and Babes Conde on the piano. $50 Tickets are available at Amni, who was first spotted by Singapore’s well-known composer [email protected] and arranger Iskandar Mirza Ismail at the 2008 ChildAid concert and is the recipient of the 2013 NAC Arts Scholarship, started performing at the age of 10. She has since performed at various high-profile events including the Asian Youth Games, Youth Olympic Games, Lee Kuan Yew Global Water Summit and APEC Finance Ministers Meeting.
Proceeds from this fundraising concert will fund Amni’s tuition fees at Berklee. Generous donations are welcomed.
23\37 music 4th Flute Festival Singapore 2013
Flute Studio The annual flute festival returns to The Arts House this August with Singapore star artist Philippe Pierlot, principal flautist of l’Orchestra Nationale de France and professor at the Conservatoire in Paris, France. Gallery \ Living Room \ The four-day festival comprises masterclasses, workshops, a flute Council Room exhibition, competition and an orchestra performance. 23 to 26 Aug, 9am to 10pm About Philippe Pierlot $20 - $50 Philippe Pierlot began studying the flute at the age of twelve, as 50% ticket subsidy for schools the last student of the eminent professor, Joseph Rampal. Jean-Pierre under Tote Board Arts Grant Rampal and Alain Marion gave him their advice as well, and five 30% ticket discount for years later he was admitted to the Conservatoire Supérieur de members of Flute Musique de Paris, where he won two brilliant First Prizes, in Flute Association Singapore and in Chamber Music. Shortly thereafter, he won the Barcelona International Competition. Tickets are available at www.flute.com.sg
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Arthur Yap 2 mothers in a hdb playground ah beng is so smart, at exam time, it’s worse. already he can watch tv & know the whole story. your kim cheong is also quite smart, because you know why? what boy is he in the exam? this playground is not too bad, but i’m always kim cheong eats so little. so worried, car here, car there. give him some complan. my ah beng was like that, now he’s different. if you give him anything he’s sure to finish it all up.
sure, sure. cheong’s father buys him vitamins but he keeps it inside his mouth & later gives it to the cat. i scold like mad but what for? if i don’t see it, how can i scold?
on Saturday, tv showed a new type, special for children. why don’t you call his father buy some? maybe they are better. visual arts PRINT GALLERY series Cats Of The World Photo Exhibition Cats of the World and The Arts House
This annual non-profit event will delight both feline and photography fans alike with its seventh season this year. The community exhibition will feature photos of cats in unique settings around the world, including Singapore.
Print Gallery New this year will be the Instagram cat-egory, where phone camera enthusiasts can also partake in the fun process of cat photo sharing! 1 - 29 Aug, 10am – 10pm Saturday Purrzaar Market The popular Saturday Purrzaar Market will also return for – Celebrating Cats And three Saturdays and offer a range of quirky cat-related lifestyle Craftsmanship! merchandise made by local artists. Print Gallery 3, 10 & 17 Aug \ 11am - 6pm \ Free admission
The Arts House Visual Arts Scheme supports emerging Singapore visual artists as well as exhibitions that raise awareness of social causes. Selected proposals are given free exhibition space at the Print Gallery. Please email your proposals to [email protected]
WOMEN TO WOMEN Big Is Gorgeous Pte Ltd, Art by Adeline & Tayliz Eventos Venue Partner: The Arts House
Eating disorder is one of the most battling issues today, especially for plus size women who thinks that in order to be attractive and pretty, they need to be lose weight. Often, they fail to do it nor achieve it in a healthy way.
The Women to Women campaign is a collaborative work between Big Is Gorgeous magazine and our local artist Adeline Yeo to raise awareness on this issue. Sale proceeds from seven original paintings and prints will be donated to Singapore Association Mental Hospital (SAMH) – Eating Disorder Support Group.
The Blue Room \ 29 Aug, 6 – 10pm \ Free admission
37\26 visual arts WHITE PRINCESS ALIAS MONT BLANC Art Houz
White Princess or La Princesse Blanche is a seminal series of 121 mountain-themed paintings created between 2012 and 2013 by eminent self-taught Indian artist A.P. Shreethar.
The spectacular collection explores the splendid serenity of the snow capped peaks of the magnificent Mont Blanc from every conceivable angle by using the hitherto unseen style of ’14-layered – realism’ that paints a picture that seems almost three dimensional.
An artist’s ode to western Europe’s highest summit and an effortlessly painstaking tribute to the mountain that sent Percy Bysche Shelly into lyrical raptures, White Princess is well and truly a remarkable endeavour that scales new peaks by capturing the eternal elegance of Mont Blanc in a timeless canvas using nuanced strokes of the acrylic.
Gallery \ 30 Aug – 1 Sep, 10am – 8pm \ Free admission METAMORPHOSIS Singapore Association for Mental Health (SAMH) and Institute of Mental Health (IMH) Venue Partner: The Arts House
Metamorphosis showcases the creativity and hard work of 15 participants who are recovering or have recovered from mental illnesses. Using art as therapy and to give this marginalised group a voice, the ceramic art pieces were created based on the individuals’ favourite poems or their unique perspective of life. Through a combination of reminiscence, imagination and conversations, poetry and thoughts come alive as they metamorphose to an art form. Each artwork is not only a culmination of their remarkable achievements, but also a depiction of the optimism they hold on the road to recovery.
Gallery \ 11 – 23 Sep, 10am – 8pm \ Free admission
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Event Listings Free admission 2013 August 1 - 29 Aug CATS OF THE WORLD 21 Aug WRITING OUT OF WONDER - POETRY PHOTO EXHIBITION P26 WORKSHOP BY JOHN BURNSIDE P15
4 Aug TROPICAL LITERATURE 23 to 26 Aug 4TH FLUTE FESTIVAL & ART CLUB TALK SERIES 热带雅聚 P14 SINGAPORE 2013 P24
24 & 25 Aug CASE BOUND BOOKMAKING P15
24 Aug & 13 Sep BUT IS THE BOOK BETTER: BLADE RUNNER P4
24 Aug & 14 Sep BUT IS THE BOOK BETTER: MINORITY REPORT P4
26 Aug & 12 Sep BUT IS THE BOOK BETTER: THE ADJUSTMENT BUREAU P5
27 Aug & 11 Sep BUT IS THE BOOK BETTER: PAYCHECK P5
28 Aug & 10 Sep BUT IS THE BOOK BETTER: A SCANNER DARKLY P5
7 Aug NEW WORD ORDER PRESENTS 29 Aug WOMEN TO WOMEN CAMPAIGN P26 BALLI KAUR JASWAL P11
5 Aug & 2 Sep LIVING WITH P22
13 Aug WORLD VOICES PRESENTS BURMESE POETS P7
14 – 21 Aug MENSTRUAL MAN P18
16 Aug AMNI CONCERT P23
17 Aug YOUNG AT ART: USING THE ARTS TO BUILD COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS WITH YOUNG PEOPLE P13
17 & 31 Aug, 14 & 28 Sep SING LIT 101: HOW TO READ A SINGAPOREAN POEM P6
20 Aug WORLD VOICES PRESENTS 30 Aug – 1 Sep WHITE PRINCESS ALIAS JOHN BURNSIDE P8 MONT BLANC P27
31 Aug CITA: BAHASA & BUDAYA (LANGUAGE & CULTURE) P13
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Event Listings
2013 September 30 Aug – 1 Sep WHITE PRINCESS ALIAS 24 Aug & 14 Sep BUT IS THE BOOK BETTER: MONT BLANC P27 MINORITY REPORT P4
1 Sep TROPICAL LITERATURE 14 Sep MAKE A BOOK! A PARENT-CHILD & ART CLUB TALK SERIES 热带雅聚 P14 WORKSHOP P16
5 Aug & 2 Sep LIVING WITH P22 14 Sep WORLD VOICES PRESENTS GILLIAN & VERNER BICKLEY P10 6 & 7 Sep WORLD VOICES PRESENTS SHEREEN EL FEKI P9 15 Sep WRITING SINGAPORE LITERARY FORUM 2013 SERIES 28 Aug & 10 Sep BUT IS THE BOOK BETTER: HUAI YING : EXPERIENCE OF WRITING A A SCANNER DARKLY P5 NOVEL 怀鹰: 我写长篇小说的经验 P16
11 – 23 Sep METAMORPHOSIS P27 19 Sep CINEMA & LITERATURE: MIDAQ ALLEY P20 27 Aug & 11 Sep BUT IS THE BOOK BETTER: PAYCHECK P5 21 Sep CITA: BAHASA & BUDAYA (LANGUAGE & CULTURE) P13
24 Sep NEW WORD ORDER PRESENTS XIN QING RONG JI 心情溶剂 P12
26 Aug & 12 Sep BUT IS THE BOOK BETTER: THE ADJUSTMENT BUREAU P5
24 Aug & 13 Sep BUT IS THE BOOK BETTER: BLADE RUNNER P4 25 & 29 Sep SFS TALKIES @ THE ARTS HOUSE: TYRANNOSAUR P20 17 & 31 Aug, 14 & 28 Sep SING LIT 101: HOW TO READ A SINGAPOREAN POEM P6 26 – 29 Sep & 3 – 5 Oct INNOCENTS P19
26 - 29 Sep WE LOVE SHORTS P3
29\37 Shop & Dine at The Arts House Shop & Dine at The Arts House
THE SHOP Mon – Sat, 11am – 8pm (closed on Sun & PH)
The Shop located within The Arts House features a broad selection of books, artworks, design objects, gifts, jewellery, apparels, as well as exclusive items developed and produced by The Arts House. Currently featuring products by more than 20 Singapore lifestyle designers, The Shop offers the perfect solution for individuals and businesses looking for stylish and uniquely handmade products that are specially designed to suit their needs, whether as personal or corporate gifts or for one's own use. EARSHOT CAFÉ Mon – Fri: 11.30am – 6pm (closed on weekends & PH) \ Happy Hour from 3pm – 6pm Earshot Café is a concept space that is fully dedicated to promoting Singapore books, music and films while having a great cup of coffee. We hold book launches, writers’ talks, literary cocktails and music performances here. Daily set lunches, signature burgers and local menu are available all day. Available for corporate bookings and private parties. VIET LANG Sun – Thu: 11.30am – 10.30pm \ Fri, Sat & PH: 11.30am – 11pm Viet Lang is derived from Vietnam’s present name and its historical name Anh Lang. This restaurant offers a good presentation of authentic Northern, Central and Southern Vietnamese cuisine with a touch of Franco-Asian influence set in a contemporary décor and cosy ambience. This June, celebrate Father’s Day with Viet Lang. Enjoy 1-for-1 main course for up to two orders per table. This promotion is valid from 10 – 16 June 2013. Reservation is recommended. 1 Old Parliament Lane #01-01 \ +65 6337 3379 \ www.vietlang-artshouse.com Timbré @ The Arts House Mon – Thur: 6pm – 1am \ Fri & Sat: 6pm – 2am (closed on Sun & PH) Swaying just by the river within the beautifully restored Old Parliament House lies a new music enclave amongst calm waters and peaceful streams. Timbré continues to create waves with added flavours to its ala carte menu of Singapore talents within its new cosy and comfortable ambience. Enjoy its widest range of pizzas, tapas, salads and desserts on comfortable sofas while enjoying live music performances on a specially designed timbre stage in front of the beautiful backdrop of lights of Boat Quay and the Singapore River. 1 Old Parliament Lane #01-04 \ E: [email protected] \ +65 6338 8552 Reservations 37\30 Shop & Dine at The Arts House Shop & Dine at The Arts House
Barbershop by Timbré Wed – Sat, from 6pm; closed on Sun - Tue
Quality music has a new address. Come down to Barber Shop, the latest addition to Timbré Group's line-up of live music venues, featuring a wide selection of premium whisky paired with a unique repertoire of blues, soul, funk and jazz bands catering to a discerning audience with a taste for the high life. Check out Barber Shop, located indoors next to Timbre@The Arts House, and get ready for a refreshing different live music experience. Annex Building, 1 Old Parliament Lane #01-03 \ +65 65 6336 3386 \ www.timbregroup.asia OLIVIA CASSIVELAUN FANCOURT (OCF) Lunch: 12pm – 2.30pm, Dinner: 6.30pm – 10.30pm, restaurant is open till late (Mon – Sat), closed for Sat Lunch and on Sun A collaboration between A Thousand Tales and Timbré Group, Restaurant Olivia Cassivelaun Fancourt is a 60-seater restaurant located on the second level, right above Timbre, at The Arts House. This exquisitely designed restaurant serves up a storm of French fare amidst carefully curated playlist of songs.
Annex Building, 1 Old Parliament Lane #02-02 +65 6333 9312 \ www.ocf-singapore.com
The Arts House Box-Office
1 Old Parliament Lane, Singapore 179429 T 65 6332 6919 F 65 6339 9695 E [email protected] W www.bytes.sg www.bytes.sg
Opening Hours Mon – Fri 10am – 8pm Sat 11a m – 8pm Sun & PH Closed (For events on Sundays and Public Holidays, Box Office opens 1 hour before showtime till 30 minutes after the show starts)
All tickets (except for films) are subject to a ticketing fee of $2 each. Please note that once a booking has been confirmed, no amendments, cancellations or refunds are permitted. All information correct at time of printing. Please refer to our website at www.theartshouse.com.sg for updates. The Arts House is managed by the Old Parliament House Limited.
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Our Spaces Living Room
Chamber
Blue Room
The Living Room was where the nerve centre of the Parliament House used to be.
From 1955 to 1959, this room was the general office of the Old Parliament House, in which administrators coordinated papers and Play Den reports for Parliamentary sessions. Later in 1959, after the formation of the government, the room was used for meetings of the People’s Action Party.
This intimate and regal space is now a dedicated space for our literary and music series such as World Voices, New Word Order, Living With and The Alphabet Series. Screening Room Now a multi-purpose room, the Living Room is suitable for seminars, receptions, book launches, workshops as well as rehearsal spaces.
Gallery
For more information about our spaces, please visit theartshouse.com.sg/Visit/AllVenues
About The Arts House
ccupying the almost 200-year-old building that was Singapore’s first Parliament House, The Arts House Osince its opening in 2004 has been offering its visitors a broad spectrum of activities, ranging from contemporary arts and entertainment events to lifestyle options, while at the same time playing an active role in the Singapore arts and creative scene.
Since 2011, The Arts House has been focusing on the development of literary arts, while supporting and presenting programmes and festivals that aim to give our audiences a wide and multidisciplinary experience.
E N A L T N E M IA L R A P
D L
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www.theartshouse.com.sg General Information Address: 1 Old Parliament Lane, Singapore 179429
Like us on General Enquiries T 65 6332 6900 F 65 6336 3021
/theartshouse E [email protected] W www.theartshouse.com.sg
How to get to The Arts House
Follow us on By MRT 7-minute walk from City Hall and Raffles City MRT stations By Bus @The_Arts_House Victoria Concert Hall: 100, 107, 130, 131, 75, 167 The Treasury: 51, 63, 80, 124, 124A, 145, 166, 174, 174e, 197, 1N, 2N, @theartshouse 3N, 4N, 5N, 6N Fullerton Sq: 10, 10e, 57, 70, 100, 107, 128, 130, 131, 162, 196, 196e, 75, 167, 531 By Car Carpark available at Parliament House, The Adelphi and Review The Arts House Funan DigitaLife Mall
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