4 posts tagged “singapore biennale”
that's what Lin Tong called it. After a dreadfully long training session on Wednesday, Claire and I went off with Lin Tong to rescue the very alone and very angry Livvy at the bubble tea shop at Bugis Junction. (That said, we also managed to take the wrong MRT line, twice.)
POSTNOTE: It's actually called Haji Lane. From now on, ignore the "Arab Streets", it's "Haji Lane". I continue to doubt Lin Tong's Geography prowress...
We hastily walked to Arab Street from Bugis. The four of us looked slightly comical juxtaposed, because Livvy was all decked in black while the others were wearing off-white tones, save for our jeans. To top it off (pun not intended), Livvy wore a hat. As you can see, my fashion vocabularly is alarmingly limited.
I didn't expect Arab Street to be that narrow. I had imagined a long street lined with bustling cloth and perfume shops and cars slowing to a crawl and people cramming the whole road.
Of course not. Lin Tong knows better. I wasn't unhappy of course, I prefer quietude. There was a surreal sense of nostalgia, like I had been there before. (I probably haven't.) I stopped every metre to ogle at the strategically-positioned street art walking all over the walls. I've never seen such a grafitti-infested street in Singapore before- I relished it. It's not the kind of low-brow anti-establishment spray-painted words, but mostly stickers planted thoughtfully.
I wonder who the artists are.
That sticker-man's got that sneaky look down pat. Sorry I didn't get the brightness right. If you could see it good, you'd see the dark green dustbin on the left. The sticker-man is well, clearly walking towards the dustbin, for reasons perhaps best left unknown
That sticker on the left was one of the first I saw. Very cute, and very well-drawn. One wonders why he's got that mask on. (I reckon it's the pipe...)
We took an amazingly long time to reach our destination, painfully peeling ourselves from the windows of the shops. We finally sat ourselves down at Alkazzas (if I remember correctly), which is an Egyptian restaurant.
I think the food was good. I say this because I am in a lousy position to critique, for reason that I am one of the pickiest eaters to walk the earth. We ordered potato wedges and a plate of kebab shreds on pita bread. I think there was another dish, but I wasn't paying attention to Lin Tong ordering because I was busy snapping away at the rustic buildings around. There was pita bread and a kind of khaki-coloured (yes, it has occured to me it is a disgusting colour to describe food) gravy. It was very oily, but other three all proclaimed that it was "wonderful" and Lin Tong even started scooping it up in dollops. It was rather like mayonnaise. I hate mayonnaise.
After the satisfying meal, we traipsed around the (expensive) niche shops along the street. Either most of the shops weren't open, or there weren't many shops. The entire place oozed a kind of warm silence. Maybe it was the colours, or the food, I don't know. We mourned the opening hours of Straits Records. I first knew about it from ish, but I had no idea it was that small. It doesn't even look like it belongs in Singapore.
There you go. I'd say it's a piece of art in itself. I have to go back again some time. We browsed through the high-end shops and slowly took in every sight and touch. There was some pretty things that I really adored, but as usual I forget what. There was one particular shop with "Lipstick Bandit" (A/N: I just found out the it is in fact the name of both a movie and a band. Riveting.) painted in this rather ugly cursive. Lin Tong and I agreed that the sign was deceptive. There were a few treasures inside the cafe-shop. (The food looked suspiciously innocuous.) The shopkeeper- I assume- had used the same black paint to tatoo delicate yet careless strokes on the walls. Sadly though, it was mostly covered by the racks of clothings. I caught this one though, and like it very much:
Shortly after, we walked to the nearby road which had resembled what I had imagined to be Arab street at first. I don't remember the street name. Anyway, I jumped at the glaring opportunity to suggest that we go to the Masjid Sultan. No prizes for guessing why.
To my chagrin, Claire and Livvy chose to stay outside. I was both relieved and disappointed that the Biennale exhibitions were held outside of the Main Hall. All due respect. We went down to the basement hall (if I may call it so), where there was a widescreen playing the video by Jennifer Wen Ma. We both stood there patiently anticipating when the run would finally be over and the marbles would spill out of her hands. The marbles' appearing and disappearing was rather annoying, but the Jewish, Christian, and Islam prayers recited together had an eerily calming effect. I was tempted to take off my shoes and sit on the neatly rolled out prayer mats, but I decided putting my shoes back on would've been too much of a hassle. Ah well.
When the first marble spilled out of the hand, I got ready to get out of the hall. We both made the arduous knee-aching journey to the rooftop (okay, it was five storeys probably). We had a pit-stop on the 3rd storey I think, where there was a small exhibit on geometric patterns by a Malay artist. I got rather confused trying to deciper the code, if there was any in the first place. Lin Tong pressed me on, so we left hurriedly for the roof.
Worth it? Absolutely. We were met with a wall of pipes leaking beautiful, intricate blue and pink patterns. When I drew closer to look, I could see neatly painted flower petal patterns. Gorgeous.
Turns out the artist (my bad, I didn't take down the name) had even used the same motif to create large circular designs on the floor of the rooftop and on the roof of the rooftop- I hope you know what I mean. The circles were reminiscent of Islamic patterns. Islam has been using geometric patterns for centuries, as can be observed from the mosques.
It was hard to capture good shots, and I couldn't help but notice that the circles were off-center. I wonder if it was intentional...
I also took this rare chance to take snapshots of the scenery and the mosque. I'm glad the Singapore Biennale has opened up opportunities like this. I think it's important especially for non-religious people to immerse themselves, if even momentarily, into religion and have that experience. Breathtaking.
Can't remember when I took this shot, but anyhow thought I would upload it for the fun of it. It was pouring and the streak of orange is created by the lamp. I think shutter was 1/2" or something like that.
On the Biennale:
I haven't caught a single thing since the opening party, which distresses me. I really have to go tomorrow, maybe to the mosque near Arab St. Oh, and maybe Yayoi Kusama's Ascension of Polka Dots on the Trees at Orchard Road.
Goody.
I caught the Singapore Biennale Opening Party!
It got off to a pretty startling start- as I was crossing the road from Raffles City to the Padang, one lady turned to look at me and I looked back and to my horror came face to face with Miss Linn Loh. She turned back to look at me a couple of times more while I just stared back in sheer terror. She must've recognised me, although I have no idea how she would've. Anyhow, I kept my distance behind her, until she walked smack into Miss Leow and Miss Chng WL, of all people. Almost immediately, I took off at Olympic speed, holding my breath as I walked past them. Oh, the horror.
I took a look at Jenny Holzer's Xerox projection at City Hall. It was very pretty, but the pink windows (another installation) and passing double-deckers rather ruined the experience. I liked the words, but I didn't capture them very well. If I had given too much exposure, my not-that-shaky hands would still have created some blur image. As a result, I stuck with moderately dark images, which I will keep to myself, ha.
After that we- my mom, sister, and me- walked around rather aimlessly (albeit scanning our eyes for teachers), because the real show hadn't started. They were still busy blowing up the balloons for Usman Haque's balloon sculpture (entitled Open Burble), which was colossal, if you will, in size.
We decided to traipse back to Raffles City and bought some snacks from Jason's to replenish the pantry. While we were gone, the PM had arrived. But no matter. We arrived back in time to watch Moc Moc and Mer Mer dance their cute, little, and very long routine (see first photo). The song was rather long. After their performance, host Najip Ali questioned the creators of Mer Mer (Com&Com from Switzerland) on the appendage between his stumpy legs. Wacky.
Up next was the best bit I must say. At least, it was one of two items (the other being Holzer's) I was looking forward to for the night. A fashion parade inspired by Yayoi Kusama's work was presented. Most unfortunately, I was in a terrible position to take photographs albeit my being at the front. My view was blocked by 1) a slightly taller girl who kept bobbing her head up and down, to my annoyance, and 2) I couldn't shoot the poses of the models on the other side of the stage well, to even greater annoyance. Anyhow, it was a brilliant experience. We went home soon after. (There was some guy who did a musical performance, which not only bludgeoned my ears but also forced heart palpitations with thumping music. We couldn't stand it any longer.)
I can't wait to see the rest of the Biennale. Go me.
I am positively in love with the Singapore Biennale.
I've collected all the Straits Times countdown clippings. I really cannot wait for Monday! It will be especially sweet if I get to go to the opening party tonight, but chances are bleak. The Mother is very adamant in believing that I will probably get molested if I go. I don't think chances are that high, though I suppose there are risks.
But still, I want to see Jenny Holzer's media installation at City Hall as well as Yayoi Kusama's fashion parade tonight. Even if it just means being there for all of 20 minutes, I'm willing. Right now I am thoroughly intrigued by Kusama and her work. I'm definitely going to see her Ascension (I don't remember the full title) installation along Orchard Road. If I can, I'll catch her work at the Sri Krishnan temple as well. I'm hoping to take a look at as many Singaporeans' exhibits as I can, including Brian Gothong Tan's and Donna Ong's. Maybe even Lim Tzay Chuen's, haha. Heck, I'll go see as much as I can.
