By Cayla Goh (25A01B)
What does art mean?
What you answer depends on who you are. For a word as broad as art, its meaning can be hard to chase down and capture. Despite and because of this, the common denominator might be that it’s inherently human, shaped by human hands.
But, recently, the meaning has been shifting. Generative AI has taken the reins–here is visual art, literary art, even performance art that has been created not from the fingertips of humanity, but from software. And with that, the meaning only becomes more slippery.
Yet, people still uncover the meaning of it every day. Part of creativity is its enduring nature. More than ever, the act of creation now becomes an act of courage.
More Than Ever–that’s the theme for this year’s Singapore International Festival of the Arts (SIFA), chosen by Festival Director Natalie Hennedige. A theme that has as broad of a definition as arts itself.
This was what I realised as I stepped into Fort Canning Centre, a place historically designated for arts exhibitions and events. I marvelled at the board:
More than ever… be real – have fun – learn from history – do good science – do good policy – we are doing it our way – elevate journalism – be human.
These are only a few ways to fill in the blank; The possibilities are endless.
Under the gentle lighting, the air was buzzing with anticipation. Each conversation was a communion between those who’ve chipped in their time and effort into the creative field. They were all there to find out how different artists would fill in the blank, responding to the climate of today’s world.
But first, what is SIFA and how did it come about?
Taking place in the middle of the year, SIFA is an annual arts festival, featuring mainly performing arts – theatre arts, dance, music, but also visual arts.The festival was first established in 1977 as ‘Singapore Festival of Arts’ to create a platform for locals to come together to celebrate and enjoy homegrown arts and talent. Nonetheless, a diverse mix of both local and international artworks are showcased at the festival.
Organised by Arts House Limited and commissioned by the National Arts Council, the festival has seen many iterations over the years, inspiring generations of artists and art lovers throughout its time.
The Opening Ceremony
Finally, the doors opened. Murmurs of excitement from guests filled the room as they shuffled in. Old friends, new colleagues, all connected by the arts came together to witness the start of something new. After all, SIFA is known to break through boundaries.
The ceremony started off with the Executive Director, Sharon Tan’s opening speech. It was a testament to how far the festival has come, outlining the new developments in this year’s installment.
“This year’s theme of More Than Ever is a statement that Singapore arts has never been more vital, more bold, more dynamic.” She said. The Arts aren’t typically something you think about when you think of Singapore. But, it is events like these that bring art into the spotlight. From pragmatism to idealism.
She announced that this iteration of SIFA has one of the largest numbers of commissioned works by Singaporean artists in SIFA’s history. The festival hence serves as a platform to celebrate and experience art through unique local perspectives. This year, art is being brought into the community–the SIFA Pavilion at Bedok Town Square connects everyday life with performance art. They are also continuing with Little SIFA, art that is targeted towards younger audiences.
With a round of applause, they started to unveil the line-up.
An exciting work is Lear, written by Ramesh Meyyappan, a deaf artist who also plays the titular king. A work that H2 Literature students know intimately, it portrays the descent of a royal father who strips himself of kingship, then his status as a father, and eventually his own life In this reimagining, the visual storytelling of the play will compel both hearing and deaf audiences, bringing together a gripping show of the human condition.
Other performances include a reimagining of Animal Farm, another classic text; The range of topics that the performers bring to the stage are heritage and history, environmentalism, family and more.
Afterwards, with the emcee of local artists came together on stage to discuss their artworks, explaining how each of their entries to the festival tie in deeply with their own values and lives.
The room was filled with hearty laughter, as everyone readily listened to them speak; Each of them having shaped the Singaporean artscape in their own way.
While Hossan Leong’s Hossan-AH! In The High Arts is as much of a personal story as it is a dedication to the living arts in Singapore, Weish’s stray gods is a musical performance that draws inspiration from the ancient texts, yet chases the contemporary.
The mic was passed onto Ramesh Panicker, director of COLONY – A True Colors. At the core of this performance is inclusion and diversity, with abled and disabled dancers together on the same stage from countries like Japan and the Philippines.
After satisfied murmurs across the audience, Wang Ruobin talked about her own installation work – Beneath Tide, Running Water. Inspired by the interconnected nature of our neighbourhoods, she designed a coral reef installation that is interactive – shaped by the interactions between artists, performers and the audience.
Incidentally, her studio, Comma Space, is located very close to Raffles. An intersection of different contemporary artists to come together, for any creative souls, it may just be your new haunt.
Last but not least, Aarika Lee, Sing Song Social Club’s founder, spoke about the origin of the club itself. Being a community choir, it’s open to anyone of any skill level to just say ‘yes’ to being open and singing together. Along with her was Benjamin Kheng, who spoke of the beauty of the simple act of singing as one. They both encouraged the audience to join them at Bedok Town Square for SIFA’s opening night for their communal performance.
With a loud applause for all the artists’ heartfelt sharings, the audience readily awaited the last segment of the night.
The Necessity of Art
As the ceremony comes to a close, a question is posed, or maybe even the question. Why does art matter?
After the question, I gazed over everyone in the room. The opening event itself was an intersection, the connective thread of art running through everyone’s veins being strengthened by their presence there. No doubt, if you had plucked anyone and put them on stage, they could give an answer that would resonate deeply. But for now, we turned to the speakers, hungry for their answers.
The first to speak, Benjamin Kheng emphasised on the importance of building up bridges in a society that continues to tear them down. Weish had spoken of something similar, of the honour to be part of a long lineage of human beings to create art – something that has tethered us to each other from the dawn of time.
Hossan Leong had urged the audience to be kind. “That’s what it’s all about.”
Ramesh Panicker said two sentences. “Go home, and turn on a news channel. You’ll know why.”
“Art is a precious way to ask questions – both good and bad”, was the sentiment shared by Wang Ruobin.
Then, ending the panel discussion was none other than Natalie Hennedige, the festival director. “Beyond words, and elements, something about the soul of the work touches you and it feels like you can carry on.”
Conclusion, or maybe just the beginning
It takes gumption to go into the arts, is what Natalie Hennedige told me, and it’s true.
It’s unconventional. It’s turning the intangible to the tangible, reaching your hand into your heart and then taking out what’s vulnerable, and hoping that others will relate. It’s about connection. Togetherness. Inclusivity. It’s about saying, we’re not so different. It’s about hope, and carrying on.
“Culture makes culture.” Chua Enlai said to me, “Art makes people realise that they’re making it everyday.”
In pragmatic Singapore, the arts need to exist – to continue to anchor people to a common sense of humanity. Turn on a news channel – in a world fragile in some areas, and fractured in others, we need the arts. The job market is rapidly changing. It might not look anything similar to what we have now; Yet, it’s those that can see it as a challenge for creativity rather than a call to quit that will succeed.
If you’re reading this and art gives you that spark, this is a sign to start, to continue, to dream a little more – to reach into your humanity.
Being human. What does that mean, anyway?
More than ever, it’s for you to find out.
The festival will run from 16 May to 1 June. Full line-up of the programmes and more can be found here.
