1. Hear a different side to the “Singapore Story”
Acclaimed local filmmaker Tan Pin Pin is best known for her 2005 documentary Singapore Gaga, which amplifies the everyday sounds we encounter in Singapore but probably do not take notice of, casting them aside as background noise, such as elderly buskers or even the female voice providing instructions on the trains. It is the first local documentary to have a cinema release here and indeed, Singapore Gaga enjoyed several sold-out runs back when it was first released. The Projector is currently screening this rare gem, with the director herself joining them for a special Q&A this Saturday, so don’t miss out.
Catch the screening here rom now till June 14. The special Q&A session with Tan Pin Pin takes place on June 13 at 4.30pm here.
2. Check out this massive display of local artworks
It’s no secret the arts industry, like all others, are struggling at the moment. In a brilliant move, the National Arts Council (NAC) Singapore has gathered together 153 Singapore artists to contribute works for a campaign called Streets Of Hope. The 153 artworks will be displayed all around the Civic District, including St Andrew’s Road, Fullerton Road, Esplanade Drive, Stamford Road, and more – so if you happen to be in the area, do keep a lookout for them. We’re happy to recognise many names in the lineup: Priyageetha Dia, Faris Nakamura, Khairullah Rahim, Hilmi Johandi, Luke Heng and plenty more. That said, even if you aren’t in the vicinity, you can check out the works of all the artists over at NAC’s Facebook page at your own convenience.
Ongoing
3. Learn how to do unconventional flower arrangements
It’s no secret that Humid House is the local design crowd’s go-to florist with their unconventional philosophy towards botanicals. Now you can learn from the best as it is conducting a workshop this Saturday to teach you how to create their signature artful arrangements. Materials and flowers will be included as part of the fees. Don’t sleep on it.
The workshop takes place on June 13 at 1pm-2.30pm. Register here.
4. Peruse the first virtual “conscious” festival
Conscious living platform Green Is The New Black is adapting to the coronavirus by taking its signature Conscious Festival online over three days this weekend. There’ll be a virtual marketplace where over 70 presumably sustainable vendors will be presenting their offerings, as well as workshops and talks by more than 80 experts from around the world. They’ll be addressing topics ranging from mental well-being, to investing sustainably, as well as fashion’s notorious impact on the environment. The latter will see some notable names speaking, including supermodel Arizona Muse as well as Christine Goulay, head of sustainable innovations at fashion conglomerate Kering (the group that owns the likes of Gucci, Saint Laurent and Balenciaga).
The Virtual Conscious Festival takes place on June 12-June 14. Check out the full program here.
5. Continue to educate yourself on racial issues
While the Black Lives Movement might seem like a distant concept to Singapore, the beliefs it fights for are intrinsically tied to racial inequality; something anyone with basic decency should empathise with. In this experimental lecture/performance titled Ayer Hitam: A Black History of Singapore, first commissioned for the M1 Singapore Fringe Festival last year, actress Sharon Frese explores a seldom-discussed topic: the influence and history of the African diaspora in Singapore. It’s a rare opportunity to learn more about a community right here on home turf. It’s a free screening, so do take the time to watch this. After all, the fight for racial equality is a constantly ongoing one – it’s not a trending thing that just disappears when the protests end.
Ongoing till June 14
Cover image is illustrative and courtesy of artist Faris Nakamura. It appeared in the January 2020 Art edition of FEMALE. Read more about Nakamura’s works and philosophy here.
