Yayoi Kusama fans can look forward to a new documentary as part of A Design Film Festival while a nostalgic new photography exhibition by 87-year-old lensman Lim Kwong Ling showcases a rarely seen side of Singapore in the ’60s and ’70s.
Singapore has often been accused of demolishing its past with an all too eager hand so take a step back with Portrait of Home, a solo photography exhibition by 87-year-old (yes, you read that right) veteran art lensman Lim Kwong Ling. It features more than 50 black and white snaps of Singapore in the ’60s and ’70s, recording various aspects of life in the good ol’ days such as landscapes, life on the streets and even personal family scenes. Head down to Objectifs this weekend for a heady dose of nostalgia.
June 20 – July 28, 12pm – 7pm
Objectifs, 155 Middle Road
Design fiends have rejoiced ever since word got out that A Design Film Festival would be making a return to the local film fest calendar after sitting out last year. Organised by acclaimed design studio Anonymous, they’re making quite the splash with new documentary Kusama Infinity: The Life and Art of Yayoi Kusama, which examines the background of the 90-year-old Japanese artist, going back to her childhood and her eventual move to New York, where she became a fixture in the avant-garde art scene.
As always with Anonymous, the collaterals are collectibles in themselves – check out the Yayoi-esque movie tickets and tote bags over on their Instagram page. On a side note, if you’re wondering why there appears to be no other films among the line-up, the Yayoi documentary is meant to serve as a preview for the actual festival – which will take place in the second half of 2019 according to the organisers. More details here.
June 22, various times
Capitol Theatre, 11 Stamford Road
A brand-new initiative by CITY65 Music, WHABBY! is a full-day, family-friendly affair, boasting tunes from a slew of up-and-coming Singaporean artists – and the best part is, it’s completely free. Whether you are interested in rap, rock, electronic, or even samba music, there will be something for you to groove to. Highlights to look out for include the hyper-talented 16-year-old songstress Shye, who has been compared to the likes of Billie Elish and Clairo with her style of dream/electro-pop produced entirely in the solitude of her own bedroom. More details here.
June 22, 12pm till late
*SCAPE, 2 Orchard Link
With more and more independent collectives throwing underground parties in recent years, Singapore’s nightlife scene is more diverse than ever – if you know where to look. If this is your kind of thing, hit up Slashers’ gig (co-founder Zhiyi Cao pictured above) this Saturday and be prepared for a kooky, anything-goes playlist that has previously included mashes of Manyao (Mandopop meets ’00s techno), Ugandan club music, spiritual trance, Youtube remixes and, for good measure, Kylie Minogue. More details here.
June 22, 10pm – 3am
360, 138 Robinson Road, Oxley Tower, #20-01
So yeah, we wouldn’t normally feature a job fair but the second edition of Proud Spaces, the LGBT-friendly job fair that’s part of Pink Fest, surely takes the cake for being the most progressive of its kind in Singapore. There will be more than 100 openings from “inclusive” employers such as Google, Rakuten and Carousell and jobs aside, the fair itself has really been designed with real consideration – amenities include quiet rooms to seek shelter from sensory overload to wheelchair-accessible, gender-neutral washrooms. We’re impressed. More details here.
June 22, 11am – 5pm
WeWork, Suntec City Tower 5