Press Release

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Insert Title

18 th Sept – 27^th Sept 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AUGUST 28, 2008

OLD SCHOOL PRESENTS A HIGHLY INTERACTIVE CONTEMPORARY ART EXHIBITION BY YOUNG, EMERGING ARTISTS

Singapore – “Insert Title” will be the first group contemporary art exhibition to be held at the Art Studio Gallery at Old school. This ten day long exhibition will feature a multi-disciplinary mix of sculptures, paintings, prints and installations created by 13 young and promising artists, and curated by 2 young curators.

This trans-medium showcase will allow people across the spectrum of society to come and get intimate with the artworks exhibited. The nature of this exhibition is highly interactive and visitors will get the chance to personally give every artwork a title that he or she deems appropriate. Thus, this reversal of roles between the artist and spectator debunks the usual one-way “consumption” of art. This opportunity also gives visitors a heightened sense of ownership and thus fostering intimate dialogues between artists and the usually, anonymous audience. “Insert Title” also aims to question the nature of art - a ‘product’, ‘produced’ for consumption, by refusing to perpetuate this ideology.

Tapping on the thriving ‘arts and creative’ hub located within the Old School premises, this fine arts exhibition will add another dimension to Old School’s image of fostering ‘new school’ attitudes within the age-old traditions of fine arts. Old School, the site of the old Methodist Girls’ Primary School, has been revamped into a pristine and vibrant artistic venue nestled on the scenic and nostalgic Mount Sophia Road.

Happening concurrently with the Singapore Biennale 2008, this group of enthusiastic young artists are not merely contributing to the burgeoning local arts scene, but also addressing the prevailing concerns surrounding contemporary art – that it can sometimes too lofty and incomprehensive. However, with the youthful and gung-ho attitudes of both artists and curators, all players in this project are especially determined to see the success of this exhibition. For the artists, who are all at the threshold of their artistic career, “Insert Title” symbolizes an exciting chapter in their lives.

For the organizers and coordinators, this exhibition will be the first of many more collaborations to happen, thus sustaining the artists’ network with future generations.

As part of the organizers’ educational and outreach plans, the curators, along with the artists will be holding ‘curatours’ for students from local primary and secondary schools. Students will be expected to immerse themselves in the artworks, then creating a ‘title’ for each of them.

Guiding them through the artworks, introducing the different mediums and concepts, the curators hope to encourage the younger generation in cultivating an appreciation of contemporary art. This outreach plan is especially important as the local contemporary art scene is currently expanding for both artists and students (opening of School of the Arts and National Art Gallery by 2012). The organizers hope that this interactive and educational endeavor will actively involve local art educators who hold vital roles in educating these young minds. Ultimately the outreach plans hope to offer the young ones a chance to receive a taste of art education outside the constraints of their classroom.

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Media contact:

Hafiz Nasir, Curator/Organizer

94896495
syedmuhdhafiz@gmail.com

Daphne Ang, Curator/Organizer
91005017
Daphneangmingli@gmail.com