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Monday May 21, 10:17 PMSingapore artists set off for Venice BiennaleSINGAPORE : A group of Singapore artists is setting off for the Venice Biennale, which starts on June 7.The event is considered the world's biggest and most prestigious contemporary arts exhibition. This is the fourth time Singapore has participated in the Biennale but this year's show is its largest. In one project, for example, 12 rooms in a 15th century mansion in Venice will be transformed into a playground for fantasies. In one room, viewers will find a futuristic sonic dome, where a soundscape of eclectic noises is going to be channelled through 200 speakers. In another, a man-hawk sculpture will stand on grass in a kampong setting. And in the next room, man-dogs will be staring down at visitors, as they find themselves in what looks like a mental institution. Vincent Leow, Artist, Singapore Pavilion, Venice Biennale, explained, "My original idea of creating this half human, half animal sort of character was based on mythology. And I like this idea of how this has become some kind of demi-god...and I wanted to create an urban mythology." Another work inspired by religion is a lotus chandelier which will be smashed on the Biennale's opening day. The lotus is a symbol of purity in Buddhist beliefs, and the artist believes that breaking it will invoke thoughts of rebirth, as the art takes on a new meaning in its death. A last minute addition has also been made to one piece - the artist will be wrapping it in a veil. Jason Lim, Artist, Singapore Pavilion, Venice Biennale, said, "The main reason is to protect the fragments from hurting the audience and also to prevent the fragments from scratching the floor of the site because the site is a heritage site." But the veil also has another meaning - it can be seen as a funeral shroud for the death of the art piece. It can also be interpreted as a protective netting to cuddle the art work in its new infancy. The theme that the National Arts Council has chosen for the Singapore Pavilion is figments, fictions and fantasies. The aim is to let the visitor's imagination run wild and portray Singapore as a creative and fun city. Lim Chwee Seng, Commissioner, Singapore Pavilion at 52nd Venice Biennale, said, "We hope we can really make heads turn, and say, hey Singapore is not bad, after all when it comes to the arts, it's not (only) about finance, manufacturing...I think we would have arrived if people take notice of that." And getting noticed will be tough, with hundreds of participating countries competing for the attention of the who's who in the art world. - CNA/ms
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