singapore biennale 2019

Singapore Biennale 2019

Intimate Apparitions, 2019, Mixed media installation, manipulated found objects and readymades, dimensions variable, Khairullah Rahim

The Singapore Biennale is one of the largest showcases of contemporary art on the local art calendar – the last edition in 2016 drew more than 600,000 visitors. That record will likely be surpassed with the upcoming sixth edition, which runs Nov 22 to March 22 with more than 70 artists and collectives from more than 20 countries taking part, all addressing how art can be used to address the current dire state of the world (environmental, political —take your pick). Stay tuned for more details on the Biennale – we’ll be reporting back after the media preview.

Pictured above: Singapore artist Khairullah Rahim‘s beautiful piece – he’s known for magicking found objects into dreamy assemblages that, as we noted in our January 2019 issue, “delight and confound with their colours and tactile textures.”

Nov 22 – Mar 22, various locations and times

bauhaus imaginista x Singapore

Church of St Bernadette, Jeremy San Tzer Ning

Jointly organised by the Goethe-Institute Singapore, Objectifs and Singapore Heritage Society, this travelling exhibition looks at how Bauhaus, the influential German design and architecture movement, impacted design internationally, including in Singapore. Large photographic prints of local modernist architecture by late Singapore photographer Jeremy San will be on display, which will lend a new perspective on familiar architecture and spotlight local design gems you might not be aware of, such as the Church of St Bernadette, pictured here.

Nov 23 – Dec 21

Tues to Sat, 12pm to 7pm / Sun, 12pm to 4pm

Objectifs, 155 Middle Road, admission is free

Suddenly Turning Visible: Art and Architecture in Southeast Asia (1969 – 1989)

Children of the Sun, Khoo Sui Hoe. Photo courtesy of National Gallery Singapore

Following on the heels of the popular Awakenings: Art in Society in Asia 1960s1990s exhibition, National Gallery Singapore’s next big show is Suddenly Turning Visible: Art and Architecture in Southeast Asia (1969 – 1989), which traces the rapid modernisation of the region from the ’60s to the ’80s, exploring the lesser-known links between art and architecture and their role in responding/shaping the region during this period.

Nov 19 – Mar 15

National Gallery Singapore, 1 St Andrew’s Road

Clash De Cartier Studio

French luxury house Cartier’s newly launched series – Clash de Cartier – has been so popular, we’ve heard rumours that it’s sold out in Singapore. If you’ve been eyeing this sophisticated-meets-punk range, you can check it out in person at the brand’s three day pop-up exhibition, taking place at STPI Creative Workshop & Gallery in Robertson Quay – there will also be previews of upcoming white-gold versions of the range which will debut next April.

But if art is your thing, there will be poets on hand to churn out spontaeneous haikus on typewriters, a record store curated by fashion’s favourite sound designer Michel Gaubert and even a sleek mid-century style cafe for those all-important snaps. More details here.

Nov 15 – 17, 11am – 9pm

STPI Creative Workshop & Gallery, 41 Robertson Quay

Singapore International Film Festival 2019

Wet SeasonFor the uninitiated, the Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF) is the most prestigious entity on Singapore’s crowded film festival scene – there’s one practically every week of the year. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the festival, which runs from Nov 21 to Dec 1 across multiple venues (Capitol Theatre, National Museum of Singapore, National Gallery Singapore, The Projector, Filmgarde Bugis+, Golden Village Grand and Objectifs)

More than 90 contemporary and classic films from 40 countries will be screened in total – out of which 17 are local works (both features and shorts). If you’re a film buff, you’ve probably heard that acclaimed director Anthony Chen will be opening the festival with the Singapore debut of Wet Seasons, his second feature film after 2013’s Ilo Ilo.

Nov 21 – Dec 1, various times and locations

Neon Lights 2019

Neon Lights has quickly evolved to become one of the most well-respected festivals on the local music calendar and this year’s line-up is especially impressive, with the likes of Halsey, Mumford & Sons, Honne, Mura Masa, Nick Murphy (formerly known as Chet Baker), King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, Aurora and many more performing over two days. There’s also much love for local acts – pop outfit Disco Hue, electronic DJ Intriguant, folk-blues band Shak & the Baits, funk band MMLD and more. Tickets are moving fast, get yours here.

Nov 23 – 24

Fort Canning Park