A glimpse behind the scenes during a rehearsal 

I was invited to visit one of their rehearsals, I caught a glimpse of this cross-cultural musical journey performance. The fusion of Nanyin and Korean traditional music, combined with Chinese and Western instruments, the first of its kind. Therefore, there is no precedent for them to base on or even learn from.

Personally for me, it was a captivating, invoking and immersive musical journey, and I believe for those attending/planning to attend this concert at Esplanade on Friday 3rd November 2023 at 8pm, they can and they will experience all these emotions, thoughts and feelings for themselves. I do believe both groups of performers from Singapore and Korea would have already experience them too, and we can watch it from their grand finale performance. 

Although I was only there for one rehearsal session, I can see and feel the amount of passion, hard work, time and commitment put in by all the performing artists. Beyond the rehearsal, lies a cross-cultural exchange of music, arts, history, heritage, culture and long lasting friendship and bonds.  

Come onboard this traditional Nanyin and Korean cross-cultural musical journey!

You would be brought into an amazing world of traditional music from Nanyin and Korea, a journey to understand and experience traditional history, heritage, cultures and beauty, hidden somewhere along your exploration, waiting for you to unlock and discover in this captivating cross-cultural musical journey. 

On Friday 3rd November 2023 at the Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, I eagerly look forward to go on my cross-cultural musical journey at The Origins Cipher – The Unbreakable Lock of Harmonious Fundamentals.

The Origins Cipher – The Unbreakable Lock of Harmonious Fundamentals

Presented by Siong Leng Musical Association

In Collaboration with Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay

(Singapore, Korea)

Supported by The National Arts Council and Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, Republic of Korea.

Date: Friday 3rd November 2023 

Time: 8pm

Performance duration: 1hr 15mins (Intermission: None)

Venue: Esplanade Concert Hall

Tickets: Purchase it here: https://securetix.esplanade.com/esp/booking/cipher1123 

For more information, you can find out more here on: https://www.esplanade.com/whats-on/2023/the-origins-cipher-the-unbreakable-lock-of-harmonious-fundamentals#synopsis 

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Ink Mountain, 墨山is not your usual conventional Chinese calligraphy artworks or traditional ink painting exhibition. Upon stepping into Jendela (Visual Arts Space) where this special and unique exhibition is held, visitors enters into the realm of Mark Chan, he is a very talented artist in the fields of composer, lyricist, librettist, poet, painter, singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and author.

Mark Chan’s personal and unique artistic vision of the world can be seen on his ink paintings and bold Chinese calligraphic brush strokes that are not in the norms of traditional ink painting standards. When you are visiting this exhibition, do not rush, take it slow and easy, and observe closely, can you spot the mythological creatures and spirits present in his paintings?

Walking along inside the Jendela, do you observe moving video projections on the walls and floor of the Jendela? Mark Chan collaborates with Brian Gothong Tan, whose video works show another side of Mark’s paintings, revealing new layers and perspectives in an enclosed sanctuary inside the Jendela, away from the world outside. This blends and fits in perfectly with the artworks installations on display, Mark Chan’s bold calligraphic strokes with his personal idiosyncratic artistic talent and techniques that is beyond the world that we live and see everyday.

Ink Mountain, 墨山, is immersive, special, unique, compelling and deeply connected in its own realm of the two great artists at work. Some visitors might take a bit more time to immerse themselves into the realm of Ink Mountain. Do not fret, do not rush, welcome to the complex history, culture, language, diversity and character of Southeast Asia, displayed through the world of Ink Mountain by Mark Chan with Brian Gothong Tan, bridging realms between yourself and Ink Mountain.

I was there with a group of friends on the evening of 17^th January 2019, thanks to Belinda Tan for extending the official opening invite to us and we got the opportunity to meet and speak to the two artists, Mark Chan and Brian Gothong Tan. It was a big opening event with awesome attendance, a great testimonial to the multi-talented artist Mark Chan. I would like to sincerely thank Mark Chan for giving us a short artist tour of his amazing works on display, I would like to apologise to Mark Chan if we were falling behind while we were on his artist special tour for this group of ours, we were all trying hard to “play catch up” with his teachings and sharing!

I have to plan another visit back to Ink Mountain again; there is an aura and mystical mystery that is drawing me back to immerse myself again, discovering answers that I am searching for, through the ink paintings, just like the large jade bird mythical journey and the three volcanoes.

Maybe I am searching for my own Bridging Realms at Ink Mountain?

Ink Mountain 墨山 Exhibition Information

Artists: Mark Chan with Brian Gothong Tan

Venue: Jendela (Visual Arts Space) Esplanade – Theatres on the bay

Dates: 18^th January to 31^st March 2019

Opening hours:

Mon – Fri, 11am to 8:30pm

Sat & Sun, 10am to 8:30pm

Website: Esplanade – Theatres on the bay

Social Media Networks

Mark Chan

Website

Instagram

Brian Gothong Tan

Instagram

Flickr photo album – Ink Mountain 墨山Exhibition

Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.

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