With Singapore Design Week winding down last weekend, we can finally take a breather – why not head down to local cafe Artistry – it’s been a championer of the arts scene since its inception and this is sadly, its final week of operations. Here’s what we recommend this week:
The annual eco-conscious initiative by WWF (World Wildlife Fund for Nature) sees millions the world over participate by switching off lights for an hour – in Singapore, it takes place this Saturday, March 24, from 8.30pm – 9.30pm. Yes it may largely be a symbolic gesture but look – it started as a small event in Sydney in 2007 but has since grown to a massive international movement with nearly 180 countries taking part in the 2016 edition.
Plus, anything that raises awareness for the increasingly dire state of global environmental problems is a good thing in my book – if you haven’t heard the latest, scientists have found traces of plastic particles in almost every major water bottle brand in both developing and developed countries. Yes, it does sound more pressing when you’re the one actually drinking plastic, doesn’t it?
Plus, with the Singapore government’s decision not to ban plastic bags – or at least introduce a small, token levy on plastic bags (which has succeeded in cutting usage of plastic bags in the UK by up to 85% simply with the implementation of a five pence levy) – initiatives like Earth Hour are more important than ever.
More details here.
Besides being one of the stalwarts on the turbulent cafe scene, Artistry has also been one of the most ardent championers of the arts since it first opened six years ago – playing host to everything from poetry slams to launches of indie publications. SG magazine did a nice piece on their achievements – so if you’re a supporter of the arts, make your way down before the establishment closes for good this Sunday.
Artistry, 17 Jalan Pinang
If you’ve ever wanted to visit Berlin, this event is not one to be missed. Premiering an exclusive documentary “If I Think Of Germany At Night”, it focuses on the German city’s legendary underground techno music scene.
Better yet, there’s also an accompanying after party, in which DJ Ata will be spinning at The Projector – the DJ is one of Berlin’s foremost pioneers of the genre and he’s only in Singapore for one night only for snap up your tickets before it’s all sold out – they’re going at $40 per pax for both the documentary + after-party – $25 for either.
March 23, 9pm – 2am, more details here
The Projector, #05-00 Golden Mile Tower
Grafunkt is one of Singapore’s top furniture retailers and until April 1, they’re throwing a series of events at their Millenia Walk store with a diverse range of local creative brands and personalities – such as indie music purveyor Analog Vault, specialist printer Dominie Press and Japanese apparel store Colony Clothing. Even better: there are also live music gigs and short film screenings – all by local acts and filmmakers (kudos) – so if you’re looking for pieces to decorate your home, Grafunkt’s the place to be. More details here.
Till April 1
Millenia Walk
It’s the final weekend for the Oh! Open House program – basically a highly curated annual art walk that installs art into public houses – and this year’s edition takes place around the picturesque Emerald Hill area. This year focuses on the theme of colonialism – more precisely, the puzzling manner in which colonialism is received in Singapore – or as Oh! Open House’s artistic director Alan Oei puts it, “Other countries, when they gain independence, pull down colonial statues and buildings. Singapore erects them.”
Most of the artworks were commissioned specially for this event and it’s a rare chance to step into the beautiful shophouses that populate the Emerald Hill area, so don’t miss out – tickets are selling really fast and many slots are already sold out. Get the tickets here.
Till March 25, various times
Like this? Check out how Rebecca Ting, the designer behind the popular Beyond The Vines label, manages her time, meet Ashley Yeo, the first Singaporean artist to make it to the Loewe Craft Prize finals, and the new Singaporean art spaces that aren’t your typical galleries.