Kill two birds with one stone — these upcoming art exhibits and music events are bound to cure cabin fever and satisfy your inner hipster.
Alas, we find ourselves in a time of adversity and isolation. As we turn inward during long bouts of confinement and social distancing, art and music becomes ever more important to our mental wellbeing, whether we realise it or not. Despite the physical isolation from friends and family, everyone finds comfort and buoyancy in sharing funny memes, new music or viral videos via social media.
Luckily, we’re easing up on Phase Two of COVID-19 restrictions, which will enable many more art exhibits and music events to open to the public before the end of the year. So the next time you find yourself bored and restless at home, how about re-invigorating your weekends with art and music?
Attend local Art and Music events from the comfort of your home
1. Rock and Indie Festival (RIF) at LASALLE College of the Arts
The fourth edition of Rock & Indie Festival (RIF) returns on 20 and 21 November 2020 at LASALLE College of the Arts with a brand new digital format! Broadcasting over Facebook and YouTube, this digital music festival will feature 19 local acts in total.
Headline acts include Subsonic Eye whose debut album was lauded by Bandcamp as ‘New & Notable’, making it one of the bestselling dream pop/shoegaze releases of 2017. Singers Marian Carmel and Gareth Fernandez are also part of the festivities, and veteran rock band Astreal returns after a two-year hiatus to perform for the second time in 2020 at RIF.
With varying genres such as rock, indie, pop, blues, electronic and more showcased at the festival, music enthusiasts are surely guaranteed two jam-packed days of fun. Better save the dates!
For more info on RIF, please visit www.facebook.com/LASALLERIF/.
2. Under The Skin by NTU Centre For Contemporary Art Singapore
Under the Skin showcases the performances of George Chua, Nina Djekić, and Noor Effendy Ibrahim, three artists who engage with sound, bodily movements, and performance to explore contemporary body and identity politics. In response to the theme of Proposals for Novel Ways of Being, the artists have been commissioned to produce new work reflecting their own experiences of the sudden uncertainty and loss of normalcy during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The performative works will be cinematically translated into the medium of video by Singapore artist, filmmaker and cinematographer Russell Morton, and their videos presented online. Under the Skin will be available for viewing online from 1 Dec 2020.
For more info on Under the Skin, please visit ntu.ccasingapore.org/events/under-the-skin/.
3. 31st Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF)
The 31st Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF) will consist of a hybrid format with cinema and online film screenings from 26 November to 6 December 2020. Celebrating resilience and hope, the festival renews its purpose to discover Asian stories and deepen the appreciation of cinema in Singapore.
There is an incredible line up of over 70 films by auteurs from 49 countries, including 22 Singapore films. Tiong Bahru Social Club (2020) by Singaporean filmmaker Tan Bee Thiam will debut as the opening film. The film was elected at this year’s Busan International Film Festival and is nominated for SGIFF Silver Screen Awards’ Asian Feature Film competition. The Singapore Panorama section will world premiere four features and showcase 12 shorts, including Citizen Hustler (2020) by Tan Biyun and Faraway My Shadow Wandered (2020) by Liao Jiekai and Sudhee Liao.
Over the course of 11 days, you can enjoy films either in cinemas or at home! Access to talks and panel discussions are also available for free — you can register here.
For more info on SGIFF line up and ticketing prices, please visit www.sgiff.com.
Stretch your legs and catch these Art Exhibits around Singapore
4. Live Performances at Singapore International Festival of Arts
The Singapore International Festival of Arts (SIFA) will lead the return of live performances come December 2020. SIFA will feature many of Singapore’s leading artists and musicians, so you’re definitely in for a treat.
Celebrate this festive season with live shows such as Jazz at Play: 7 Songs at Christmas at the Victoria Theatre from 17 to 19 December 2020, and Mrbrown’s first live debut, the Mrbrown show LIVE! The live show, held at KC Arts Centre on Christmas and Boxing Day, will also see a special appearance by acclaimed poet, Marc Nair, and fellow blogger Mr. Miyagi.
Sound and electronic artists, Planeswalker and Zul Mahmoud will also perform two intimate sessions of Sound Social at the Goodman Arts Centre Black Box, so don’t miss this chance to get up close and personal.
For more info on SIFA, please visit www.sifa.sg.
5. Georgette Chen at National Gallery Singapore
The art exhibit Georgette Chen: At Home in the World will open to the public from 27 November 2020 at the National Gallery Singapore. It is the first major retrospective of Georgette Chen in over two decades, and it sheds new light on Chen’s critical contributions to the development of Singapore’s visual arts.
The large-scale exhibition will feature Georgette Chen’s iconic works and archival materials, including never-before displayed possessions of the artist and rare works from private collections. The show, which is launched in conjunction with the National Gallery’s fifth anniversary, will also offer interactive and engaging experiences for visitors of all ages so be sure to make this a family affair!
For more info about the National Gallery exhibits, please visit www.nationalgallery.sg.
6. Singapore International Photography Festival
Singapore International Photography Festival (SIPF) returns for its seventh edition with the theme, Departing and Arriving.
The various exhibits located around Singapore showcase a myriad of artworks by both local and international artists. Set in a time of pandemic, the theme takes on a greater meaning as it emphasises on the eventual arrival of understanding identity and belonging through a journey of departure.
The main exhibitions will take place at the newly conserved 37 Emerald Hill and DECK, with key exhibits being showcased at the Esplanade Tunnel and at 6 Downtown Line MRT Stations.
SIPF is on-going till 30 January 2021. For more info, please visit www.sipf.sg.
7. Inside Out Project
Singapore International Photography Festival (SIPF) brings the acclaimed Inside Out Project to Singapore. Since 30 October, the Inside Out roving photo-booth truck has been travelling around Singapore capturing portraits of everyday people. The project aims to unveil 1,000 portraits and stories of people, encapsulating the essence of the nation’s unique collective identity.
There is still time left to register as an Inside Out participant so be sure to check online for the remaining photo-booth locations. And as for all you camera-shy folks, you can visit the portrait exhibits across any of the six locations instead – DECK, The Substation, 37 Emerald Hill, Tekka Centre and Kreta Ayer Square.
For more info, please visit www.sipf.sg.
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