Photographer/Creative profile questions

1) Can you give us a short introduction on yourself and your creative fields of expertise?

Hello, my name is Agan Harahap. Photographer and artist based in Jogja, Indonesia. My base artistic expertise is photography and digital manipulation. And recently I’m using AI for my latest artworks.

2) What is the inspiration and the stories behind your creative work?

I always get my inspiration from my timeline in social media. Mostly is about politic, religion and history. I offer some silly solution for many problems that appear in society.

3) Do you have a piece of creative artwork or photograph that means a lot to you? Can you share more about this artwork?

The artwork that means a lot for me is my series ‘Mardijker Photo Studio’. I’m talking about nation identity and cultural originality and it’s connections with our society today.

4) Can you share about your journey as a creative/artist? What were some of the challenges, difficulties and setbacks that you faced in your creative journey? 

Well, it’s start in early 2000s at the beginning of digital transitions from manual. When suddenly we can almost create anything with digital software. At that time I already work as a photographer in music magazine. And I always challenged my self to dig more about other possibilities with digital photography. Asking my self is photography still can believed as a medium that can represent the reality. 

5) I read that you started off as an illustrator and digital imaging artist, what are the stories behind these experiences and how did you transition to photography?

As a graphic designer student, I have also learn photography. At that time, I don’t like photography because its expensive and don’t make sense to me. Because at that time I think photography is only for the people who cannot make a proper drawing or painting to express their ideas. And photography is their solution to cover up their inability to make art. Hahaha. But I have to pass the photography test in my study. So I learn how to manipulate photo with digital software. And I pass the test with success. And after graduate, I worked as a freelance illustrator and then become a digital imaging artist in some photography company before I become photographer in Trax Magazine. A music based magazine in Jakarta from 2006 – 2012. 

Generative AI Interview Questions

6) A topic of intense discussion currently is Artificial Intelligence (AI), what are your personal views and thoughts on AI? What is the potential positive and negative impact on the creative industry?

Based on my experienced in early 2000s when digital suddenly takeover many part in creative industry, So for me this is the new era when we have to preparing our self to this new kind of technology. For me, the main impact is the people’s way of thinking and behavior about things will change. And it will become a problem for people who cannot adapt their selves to this AI. So, like it or not, after more than 2 years we stayed at home because of covid, now suddenly we have to face this kind of technology and we have to adapt and adjust our self with it.

7) Do you think Generative AI can actually help us creatives, artists and photographers in ways that we may not see due to our personal bias or blind spots? Or do you think the onslaught of Generative AI will be detrimental for creatives? 

Before AI can help us in creativity, we first have to adapt and adjust ourself. Because at first, we have to positioning ourself between this new technology and our personal and social interest. For me, it’s quite similar like digital photography at the beginning, at the first we may think ‘Oh, with this tools, we don’t need dark room process anymore and we can save more time to create photography. But in the reality, there are many other problems arise due to this digital technology. Like for example, people start to questioning the reality behind photography ect. And after social media era, there is much more problems. We can see the rapid change in many aspects of our live. And that’s exactly will going to happen in our society with this AI technology.

Generative AI will be detrimental for creatives? It’s depend on how you adapt yourself. 

8) Which segments of the creative and arts industry would be most impacted by Generative AI? Artists? Photographers? Filmmakers?

All.

9) Is Generative AI is going to take away the livelihood of the art and creative industries? What are your personal thoughts and views on this point?

At the beginning, the answer is yes. But along with that, the emergence of AI technology, it will open up many new opportunities that may have never been thought of.

10) How do you envision the future for creatives in a new digital and social media world, powered by AI?

Hahaha I can’t imagine it yet. But I believe, sooner or later this AI will change people’s mindset and behavior.

Thank you Agan!  

I would like to say a big thank you to Agan Harahap for putting aside his precious time and agreeing to be interviewed for my article! From a fellow photographer/visual storyteller myself to another fellow photographer/visual storyteller, it’s always an interesting, enriching and enlightening experience to hear about creative/artist/photographer different perspectives, ideas and views, on photography and creative industries, their stories and journeys. 

Agan’s views and perspectives on generative AI would be part of my ongoing TGH Technology AI research/learning series, with an upcoming special article coverage on the impacts of AI on photography and creative industries that would be published on my TGH Photography and Travel portal/blog. 

This special interview with Agan also marks the start of my new personal project series that I mentioned earlier in my earlier article “Reflecting H1 2023 & Q2 2023 (Photography and Travel)”, on interviewing and featuring creatives from various disciplines.

When you visit Singapore, let’s catch up and have a chat over coffee over everything and anything about photography!

Have you visit Living Pictures – Photography in Southeast Asia exhibition?

Have you visit Living Pictures – Photography in Southeast Asia exhibition? If you haven’t visit this amazing photography exhibition, you have to plan a visit to National Gallery Singapore and check out this exhibition! 

The exhibition size, magnitude, and diversity of photography works on display, some 300 of them would blow you away, ranging from colonial archival images, studio portraits, and documentary photography to photo albums, social media photos and modern photography in both offline and online formats.

Living Pictures – Photography in Southeast Asia at National Gallery Singapore

Date and Time 

• 2nd December 2022 to 20th August 2023
• 10am to 7pm daily

Location 

• City Hall Wing, Level 3, Singtel Special Exhibition Gallery 

Admission Fees: (General Admission)

• Free for Singaporeans and PRs

Standard

• $20 
• Non-Singaporeans/PRs aged 13 to 59

Concession

• $15 
• Non-Singaporeans/PRs seniors (aged 65 & above) and children (aged 7 to 12)
• Overseas students and teachers

*I would like to thank National Gallery Singapore and Ogilvy for liaising and facilitating the interview with Agan Harahap.*  

The post A Special Visual Storyteller/Creative Artist Interview with Agan Harahap appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

In a special two part series, I would first bring you on my visual storytelling journey through 150 Years of Visual Stories: Living Pictures – Photography in Southeast Asia. In my next article, I would be chatting with Agan Harahap, one of the four notable photographers from the Southeast Asia region, that is featured on National Gallery Singapore Instagram page, part of the Living Pictures – Photography in Southeast Asia exhibition showcase.

Living Pictures – Photography in Southeast Asia

This is an amazing photography exhibition, of its size, magnitude, and diversity of photography works on display, some 300 of them, ranging from colonial archival images, studio portraits, and documentary photography to photo albums, social media photos and modern photography in both offline and online formats.

What is the evolution of photography like over the past 150 years? What are some of the most iconic photographs that you have seen over the past few decades, especially in the Southeast Asia context? When you visit Living Pictures – Photography in Southeast Asia, you are assured of a visual learning feast and eye-opener journey. 

Some of those visual stories are heart wrenching, some are heart warming. Be prepared to experience those emotions as you view, read and connect with those living pictures. Let’s start off in a chronological order and sequence to view, read and experience 150 years of visual stories. 

Section 1: Colonial Archives (Gallery 3) 

First and foremost, let us kick start our visual storytelling journey by going back in time and history, to the Colonial period in Southeast Asia in Section 1: Colonial Archives.

When did photography technology first started and arrived in Southeast Asia? They were brought over by European colonists in the 19th century. What were the views and impressions like during that era upon looking at those photographs?

During the colonial period, what was imperialism like? How did photography play a role during that period? What was the relationship that photography played for the European colonists and those people living in Southeast Asia at that time? 

Section 2: Portraits and Performance (Gallery 3)

Photography in its early days were a form of wealth and prestige for the Southeast Asia ruling elites. Who can imagined that photography had the power to influence perception and communication during those early days? 

Portraiture became the choice, the style for those who can afford it, showcasing their role through modern imagination and their role in a new modern world that was coming to them during that era period. 

As you looked at the photographs on display inside this section, I would like to think about your extended family and relatives, do you recall seeing any similar portraitures of your grandparents or great-grandparents in similar styles, fashion, poses, props and backdrops? 

If you have them in your extended family, you will have your family hierarchy to explore and discover so much further and deeper.

Section 3: In Real Life (Gallery 2)

As the title for this section suggests, it’s real life that photography brings to you. They always had a close and contentious relationship with reality. A photograph never shows everything, it can create a new world, based on your interpretation. 

There is a series of Vietnam war collections, most notably an iconic photograph titled, “Napalm Girl (1972)” by Nick Ut, a former Associated Press photographer. Some of the most iconic and powerful documentary photographs from the war were on display, the other photograph was by Eddie Adams, with his photograph “Saigon Execution”. 

Some of those iconic documentary war photographs could have played their part to change/stop the war. The question I would like to ask the visitors if they know about the stories behind those photographs? Although the photographs tell us the realities that took place during that era, it never show us or tell us the whole story behind it or leading up to the moment being captured down in a visual moment/history. 

Section 4: New Subjectivity (Gallery 2) 

From the 1970s onwards, the world saw greater experimentation beyond and away from important events or people. Photography transformed into a place for reflection and experimentation, a space for us understand things. 

Were you part of that era of photography, exploring beyond events and portraiture, experimenting with arts and other forms of artistic visual displays?

Community Art Space

In our digital and social media world, most people view and feel of images are not tangible, they are in digital format, online on the internet and social media world. Have you thought of printing your photographs, bringing them to life, in a tangible format?

At this Community Art Space, in between Gallery 2 and 1, when you are walking from Section 4 to Section 5, you can get into the world of photo booths and zine-making areas whereby you have the creative freedom with your photographs, producing something more memorable that you can ever imagine.

Why not take a break from viewing 150 years of visual stories journey and do some hands on art work and craft with your photography?

Section 5: Contemporary Imaginations (Gallery 1)

The final section of Living Pictures: Photography in Southeast Asia, this section is probably easier for many of us to connect and understand since it’s contemporary and closer to our current timeline. 

How can photography re-imagine the present and the future? How has photography changed and expanded during this contemporary era? How is contemporary and modern photography engaging you, right now, from the past and into the future?

In  this section, there is a particular exhibit that caught my attention, it’s titled “Crossing the Father Shore” by Dinh Q Le. This is an amazing collection of anonymous South Vietnamese families taken before the country’s reunification in 1975, stitched together like a mosquito net. More than just photos, the words and inscriptions at the back of those photos, you have to read them. 

I personally encountered old photos of similar nature that were available for sale at flea markets, there were times when I was thinking to myself if I should buy and keep them? That’s food for thought for me.

Before you finished visiting and exiting Living Pictures: Photography in Southeast Asia exhibition, there is a retail shop with three display areas packed with many interesting photo postcards collections that you can bring home as a souvenir. Something memorable for you to bring home from your visit to National Gallery Singapore. 

Personal thoughts and views from a visual storyteller myself 

As a visual storyteller myself, visiting Living Pictures: Photography in Southeast Asia, was like a pilgrimage itself for me. There hasn’t been a major photography exhibition of such scale and such diversity from its early history and beginnings to contemporary, documentary and modern digital/social media age.

My beginnings and foundations in my photography and visual storytelling that were started in my early years, were heavily inspired and influenced by National Geographic style of writing and photography. From a young age during my primary school days (close to 4 decades back), I was exposed to a rich and diverse world of exploration, documentary, nature, wildlife, culture, history etc through reading National Geographic magazines.

Yet I was never formally educated or trained in journalism or photography, I was self-taught, self-learned, learning from my many mistakes, gaining experiences, and also sometimes blessed by seniors who shared their photography wisdom, knowledge and skills with me. 

Personally, that is also why Living Pictures: Photography in Southeast Asia exhibition currently held at the National Gallery Singapore, resonates a lot of deep thoughts and thinking inside my mind, heart and soul.

No matter what type of photographer that you are specialised or interested in, whether you are young photographer starting to learn and explore more about the world, or you are a young adult or mature adult that has seen a number of life events, plan a visit to Living Pictures: Photography in Southeast Asia at the National Gallery of Singapore.

As the saying goes, “A picture speaks a thousand words”. There are so many stories packed inside Living Pictures exhibition, waiting to speak to you in various visual storytelling formats that will connect you to your eyes, brain, heart, mind and soul. 

Why not visit Living Pictures – Photography in Southeast Asia at National Gallery Singapore, and let your eyes and heart connect your brain, mind and soul with the diverse collection of 300 photography works over 150 years of visual stories on display?

Living Pictures – Photography in Southeast Asia at National Gallery Singapore

Date and Time 

• 2nd December 2022 to 20th August 2023
• 10am to 7pm daily

Location 

• City Hall Wing, Level 3, Singtel Special Exhibition Gallery 

Admission Fees: (General Admission)

• Free for Singaporeans and PRs

Standard

• $20 
• Non-Singaporeans/PRs aged 13 to 59

Concession

• $15 
• Non-Singaporeans/PRs seniors (aged 65 & above) and children (aged 7 to 12)
• Overseas students and teachers

* Information courtesy of National Gallery Singapore and Ogilvy * 

** A TGH Photography x Canon EOS R6 Mark II Explorer Series Production **

The post 150 Years of Visual Stories: Living Pictures – Photography in Southeast Asia appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

How did this name “Proposals for Novel Ways of Being” come about?

Go back a few months back in time, do you remember the initial name of the global pandemic that is now universally known/classified as COVID-19? Proposals for Novel Ways of Being bears reference to the earlier name of the virus “2019 Novel Coronavirus”, a sombre yet hopeful reminder that this COVID-19 is not the world’s first global pandemic or the first crisis the world has encountered, nor will be it be the last. This would be a reminder for the human race, the society, to seek, adapt and adopt new ways of being.

National Gallery Singapore and Singapore Art Museum have come together to launch a new local initiative of unprecedented scale and scope, a project that see museums joining forces with 10 other local art institutions and independent art spaces and collectives to present a series of exhibitions and programmes, in both physical and online environments, featuring the works of over 170 local artists and cultural workers. Presenting “Proposals for Novel Ways of Being”, a united response by the visual arts community to the changes brought by the global pandemic COVID-19, a wide range of art experiences exploring new ways of living in a world forced to change by this pandemic and imagining new possibilities for the future.

Elaborating on the compelling reasons behind the development of the Proposals for Novel Ways of Being initiative, Dr Eugene Tan, Director, National Gallery Singapore and Singapore Art Museum says, “As we grapple with the “new normal”, we consider how art can respond to the global pandemic and propose new possibilities for our changed world, as well as how it can inspire hope in these times. As national art institutions, we ask ourselves how we can show solidarity with the local network of independent art spaces, institutions and collectives to engage and support members of the art community, and how we can highlight the role that art can play in times of crises such as the current pandemic.”

The Programme Partners of Proposals for Novel Ways of Being include seven institutions: ADM Gallery, NTU School of Art, Design and Media; LASALLE’s Institute of Contemporary Arts Singapore; National Gallery Singapore; National Museum of Singapore; NTU Centre for Contemporary Art Singapore (NTU CCA Singapore); Singapore Art Museum; STPI, and five independent art spaces and collectives: Coda Culture; Grey Projects; INTER-MISSION; soft/WALL/studs; and The Substation.

To support the wider network of art professionals and practitioners, Programme Partners have invited independent guest curators to each propose projects that involve up to 15 artists based in Singapore. The projects presented can include new commissions or existing works, and may take the form of physical or digital exhibitions, and include programmes such as talks, performances and community engagement events.

Audiences can look forward to

• Coda Culture’s exhibition, which brings together artists who produce works using found objects;
• National Gallery Singapore’s range of works by a diverse group of emerging contemporary artists, which embody poetic contemplation;
• National Museum of Singapore’s series of digital works created in collaboration with artists and creatives, which respond to the pandemic;
• NTU CCA Singapore’s showcase of experimental works by artists who engage with sound, bodily movements and performances;
• Singapore Art Museum’s presentation of contemporary artworks that reflect on the passage of time and various acts of care-taking; and
• soft/WALL/studs’ suite of interconnected activities and projects that navigate the themes of (dis)repair, maintenance, and cultivation by artists and curators, presented on digital platforms and at their physical site.

For more information on Proposals for Novel Ways of Being, please visit novelwaysofbring.sg and keep a lookout for the various exhibitions and programmes taking place soon between August 2020 and February 202.

As a fellow creative in the photography circle, I am able to relate the situation that other arts and creative industry folks are going through. Let’s give them the support and encouragement during this difficult time arising from the global pandemic situation.

We are all in this together as a nation. The journey ahead is still going to be more turbulent and choppy. Let’s all be #SGUnited together facing this global crisis and overcome it!

* Information and picture courtesy of National Gallery Singapore and Singapore Art Museum and Ogilvy Singapore *

The post New Art Initiative – Proposals for Novel Ways of Being appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

What are the programmes and activities taking place during Light to Night Festival 2020? Let me introduce you to some of the key festival highlights and bring you into the mood of exploring Invisible Cities.

Key Festival Highlights

Art Skins on Monuments – City States of Mind

As you walk and explore Civic District majestic monuments, enjoy the light projections on the facades, immerse yourself into the dreams, forgotten memories and deep desires hidden inside them.

Optical Maze by OTTOTTO

Located at the Padang, a colourful pavilion by day and a brightly illuminated labyrinth by night. Remember to head up to the Padang Deck on Level 5, view the Optical Maze from above and you can see the lines of Marc Nair’s poem written in lights.

Floating City by Nipek X KNOTS

This is my favourite artwork installation, located at Padang Atrium, National Gallery Singapore. It’s like a light show of glowing skyscrapers in the sky. View them from the bottom up, go up close and personal on the walkway bridge on Level 3 and view from the top down.

Art X Social (Festival Village)

If you are feeling hungry, thirsty and in need of a rest and recharge, head down to Art X Social (Festival Village) at Empress Lawn, Connaught Drive and St. Andrew’s Road. You won’t miss it and I reckon you would enjoy it!

Shadows of  Dust and Clouds by Vertical Submarine

At the Asian Civilisations Museum Green, visitors can interact with this artwork, a giant mirror installation, a response to Desmond Kon’s poem “The Mirrored Dias of History and Signs”.

Between Two Worlds by Quarters Architects

An interesting and interactive artwork that at Esplanade Park, inspired by Kevin Martens Wong’s poems. Walk through the passageway, observe the mirrored memory pools and its reflective surfaces. As you enter into the artwork, you would become invisible to others from the outside.

There are also talks, tours and performances at the Civic District during Light to Night Festival 2020, for more information visit National Gallery Singapore website! I haven’t finishing exploring Light to Night Festival 2020, I am planning to continue exploring more of the Invisible Cities during this festival.

Mark down the dates! Starting on the 10th to 19th January 2020, visit Light to Night Festival 2020 with your family, loved ones and friends! Sharing is caring, Pay It Forward and Pass It On, share about Light to Night Festival 2020!

The weekends would be the most exciting as the Civic District is transformed into a lively, happening and fun artistic Civic District! Wear comfortable walking shoes, you would be doing quite a bit of walking around the Civic District! Come on down, have fun, enjoy and explore the Civic District!

I would like to thank National Gallery Singapore and Tate Anzur for the invitation to the media preview of Light to Night Festival 2020. Visit my Flickr photo album and Instagram for more photographs of Light to Night Festival 2020!

Light to Night Festival 2020 – Invisible Cities

Website: lighttonight.sg

Location: Civic District

From: 10th to 19th January 2020

Admission: Free

Hashtag: #LightToNightSG

Road closures

Dates: 10, 11, 17, 18 January 2020

Time: 4pm – 1am

The post Light to Night Festival 2020 – 10 to 19 January appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

At the Chua Soo Bin: Truths & Legends, an exhibition held at National Gallery Singapore from 6th December 2019 to 28th June 2020. There are close to 100 photographic works alongside archival materials, displaying the history and development of photography in Singapore, an area that is traditionally overlooked. Mr Chua Soo Bin photography works, tells more than just complex stories of his subjects. His portraiture artworks displayed great trust, close relationship and being up close and personal with the subjects and surroundings, through the Legends Series Photographs.

“Spotlighting the works of Singapore artists and educating the public of their artistic practices continue to be a priority for the Gallery. While photography has traditionally been under-researched in Singapore, it has played a significant role in our art history. The iconic works of Chua Soo Bin are excellent examples of the potential of photography as an art form. It has been exactly three decades since Legends was completed. We hope that this retrospective will raise awareness of Chua’s significant contributions to Singapore’s art scene as a photographer, a gallerist, art dealer and art patron. At the same time, visitors will be inspired to learn more about Singapore’s very own photographers and reflect on the changing role of photography,” said Dr Eugene Tan, Director of National Gallery Singapore.

Now, let me bring you a short walk through into this amazing artistic photography world of Chua Soo Bin: Truths & Legends

First Section: The Legends Series Photographs

The portraits of 14 ink masters, showcasing their portraitures, life, intimate moments and insights to a global audience through the eyes of Singaporean master photographer Chua Soo Bin.    

Second Section: Candid and informal portraits of Wu Guanzhong

A collection of photography artworks, candid and informal portraits of modern Chinese ink artist Wu Guanzhong over two decades. The trust and rapport between artist and photographer is more than just special, beyond amazing, reflected through this collection of photographs.

Third Section: The life and journey of Master Photographer Chua Soo Bin

In this final third section, we learnt a lot more about Master Photographer Chua Soo Bin life, career and his commercial photography works.

A short Q&A session with Master Photographer Chua Soo Bin

During the preview session of Chua Soo Bin: Truths & Legends, we had the honour of meeting the legend himself, master photographer Chua Soo Bin, who shared some insights of the photographs that were on display inside the gallery while we were on a short preview tour.

After that, we had a short Q&A session too, listening to his years of experience, not just in photography, the stories behind those portraitures and insights into the different eras of photography from film to digital.

My personal thoughts and feelings as a photographer

For all photographers out there, whether you are from the old school of film photography or a young person learning photography in today’s digital world, I strongly encourage you to visit Chua Soo Bin: Truths & Legends photography exhibition at National Gallery Singapore.

As the saying goes, a picture speaks a thousand words, when you visit this photography exhibition, you are not just walking into a master photographer’s eyes, works, and relationship with the person/people/environment. The portraits/photographs “speak to you” too, as you view the photography exhibition, a connection that bridge the photographer, subjects/people and their artworks across to you.

Chua Soo Bin: Truths & Legends, is a very inspiring photography exhibition, personally for me as a photographer. Having started my photography with film photography more than three decades back, viewing the photography prints shot on film cameras brought me back in time when it was just 36 frames in a roll of film and you had to print the photographs, versus the modern digital photography of today, instant gratification and sharing on social media.

I can continue writing and sharing, I feel that I would really like you to visit this truly special photography exhibition at National Gallery Singapore. I would just leave you with this quote below by the Master Photographer himself, that strikes a deep chord with me and my photography.

I would like to thank National Gallery Singapore and Tate Anzur for the invitation to the preview of Chua Soo Bin: Truths & Legends.

Information on Chua Soo Bin: Truths & Legends

Date: 6th December 2019 to 28th June 2020

Location: City Hall Wing, Level 4, Wu Guanzhong Gallery

Ticketing

General admission ticket required (Free for Singaporeans and PRs)

Chua Soo Bin: Truths & Legends is curated by Charmaine Toh from National Gallery Singapore. A series of complementary programmes through the course of the exhibition will also reflect the changing role of photography in today’s digital culture.

For more information, visit https://www.nationalgallery.sg/exhibitions/chua-soo-bin-truths-and-legends

* Information courtesy of National Gallery Singapore and Tate Anzur *

The post Truths & Legends of Singapore Photographer Chua Soo Bin appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

This annual urban art event has both indoor and outdoor elements, with the light projections on the Civic District monuments façade.  There are also indoor art installations and art highlight trails for visitors to enjoy as well. Starting from the National Gallery Singapore, visitors can explore the rest of the Civic District, visiting The Arts House, Asian Civilisations Museum, The Esplanade Park and Victora Theatre and Victoria Concert Hall.

From 18^th January to 27^th January 2019, this is the Singapore Art Week Edition. The Singapore Art Week Edition explores contemporary art and ideas inspired by the Civic District’s rich histories and stories. Be the Explorer and head down to explore your own unique Light to Night Festival 2019 – Singapore Art Week Edition with the theme “Traces and Echoes”.

Do also take note of the following

• Open House 25^th to 27^th January 2019
• Enhanced programming and extended hours on 25^th to 26^th January 2019
• Comedy Fridays and Music Saturdays on 25^th to 26^th January 2019 at the Padang Atrium

Now, are you ready to be your own Explorer for Light to Night Festival 2019 – Singapore Art Week Edition? Follow me in my own Explorer photography adventures below!

Art Skins on Monuments

National Gallery Singapore

Art Takes Over on the monuments in the Civic District of Singapore.

On the former City Hall building and former Supreme Court building of National Gallery Singapore, visitors can watch this light projection of an explorer on his journey titled “Day & Night”.

At the Padang Atrium, this is like a stage for you to be a star and show the world through your sound and movement at this artwork titled “Stasis & Flux”. How do you like being part of the something larger than yourselves , to be a part of this world?

Along the side of the Supreme Court Wing of National Gallery Singapore , you would enter into a world of “Light & Shadow”, entering into a forest that encompasses both natural and surreal landscapes. Observe the relationships and surroundings, as they reveal something to you.

The Arts House

Continuing your Explorer journey to explore Light To Night Festival SG Art Week Edition in the Civic District sof Singapore. You would arrive at The Arts House, into this artwork “Order & Chaos”, just like this figure from the other side of artificial intelligence and virtual world looking at you, giving you utopia and dystopia, order and chaos all together at The Arts House where Art Takes Over on the monuments.

Victoria Theatre and Victoria Concert Hall

Moving on to the next Art Takes Over on the monuments, your Explorer journey to explore Light To Night Festival SG Art Week Edition in the Civic District of Singapore brings you to Victoria Theatre and Victoria Concert Hall. At this artwork, you can experience “Growth & Decay”, through renewal and degradation from the sun’s energy and force leading to both growth and decay.

Asian Civilisations Museum

As you arrive at Asian Civilisations Museum, this artwork “Dreams & Reality” brings you into life at the museum with the artefacts and objects coming to life at dusk, transforming into mythical creatures and landscape formations. At dawn, they returned back to normal again, is this just like the cyclical nature of your life journey?

Opening hours: Sunday to Thursday – 8pm to 10pm ; Friday to Saturday – 8pm to 12mn

Light to Night Art Highlights Trail

Light to Night Festival is more than just artwork projections on the facades of the monuments in the Civic District of Singapore. For this year 2019 edition, there is a Light to Night Art Highlights Trail that you can explore and check out!

Coming soon – Light to Night Festival 2019 – Bicentennial Edition

One Light to Night Festival, two unique experiences! For this year 2019 Light to Night Festival, this is also the Bicentennial edition taking place from 28^th January to 24^th February 2019.

I would continue to explore Light to Night Festival 2019 – Bicentennial Edition when they start on the 28^th January 2019! Do keep a lookout for my photographs and sharing on my Instagram and flickr photo album!

Light to Night Festival 2019

Dates:

18^th January to 27^th January 2019 (Singapore Art Week Edition)

28^th January to 24^th February 2019 (Bicentennial Edition)

Location: Civic District

Website:www.lighttonight.sg

Hashtag: #LightToNightSG

Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.

The post Light to Night Festival 2019 – SG Art Week Edition appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

What is Minimalism all about? What does Minimalism mean to you? Minimalism – Space, Light, Object, what is this all about?

I had been exploring and discovering Minimalism, through my own interpretation using black and white landscape photography. This was my personal philosphical approach to Minimalism. As I started to explore more, through decluttering, furnishings, home designs, Japanese Zen, Minimalism becomes an avenue, a world for me to move into and away from all the digital world out there today.

My personal exploration and discovering Minimalism took place over the past few years, an experiential journey of self discovery and understanding. Then there was this exhibition titled, “Minimalism – Space Light Object”, organised by National Gallery Singapore in collaboration with ArtScience Museum.

I visited Minimalism – Space Light Object exhibitions at National Gallery Singapore and ArtScience Museum, this is like a time machine journey that goes back in time into the 1960s when Minimalism first came to life through artistic tendency, developing, changing and evolving over time into the modern 21^st century today. Digging in further and doing more research into Minimalism, I found this article titled “The Intellectual Origins of Minimalism” by Blair Asbury Brooks published on Artspace. If you are like me, exploring and discovering Minimalism, I high recommend you to read this article!

From abstract art form and artworks, beyond the frame to incorporate environmental, social and political contexts. Making significant impacts to lifestyle, fashion, design, arts, music, performance, Minimalism began to establish itself as a global modern contemporary art and lifestyle.

From 16^th November 2018 to 14^th April 2019, the first Minimalism-focused exhibition is presented for the first time in Southeast Asia at Singapore’s two leading cultural institutions, National Gallery Singapore and ArtScience Museum.

At National Gallery Singapore, the exhibition depicts the birth, development and legacies of Minimalism from the 1950s to the modern day, with more than 100 artworks on display from Europe, to the United States and Asia. The ideas of presence and absence, influenced by Asian philosophies such as Zen Buddhism.

Meanwhile, at the ArtScience Museum, the exhibition there depicts the themes of colour, exploring form and spirituality, through notions of emptiness, nothingness, space, the universe and beyond, influenced by eastern philosophies and science.

As I started upon this Minimalism – Space Light Object journey at National Gallery Singapore and ArtScience Museum, a self-discovery adventure, understanding the artists’ artworks and perspectives towards Minimalism. Although I wasn’t able to understand all of them, I did manage to connect with some minimalist artworks.

What does Minimalism means to you, to me?

This Minimalism journey can be a very personal thing inside you, that you may want to explore and discover for yourself. I strongly and highly recommend you to visit Minimalism – Space Light Object exhibitions at National Gallery Singapore and ArtScience Museum.

Feel it, step away from the digital world for a few hours, engage yourself with the minimalist artworks, re-discover yourself again and how you change your approach to the modern life and society in another way.

Take your time and do not rush, immerse and engage yourself with/and into the Minimalism artworks. Open up your heart, eyes and soul, look beyond the frame, space, light and object. Do check out the photographs that I took at Minimalism – Space Light Object inside my Flickr photography album.

Personally, I was able to learn other approaches to my Minimalism discovery, through space and object, artworks and abstract perspectives, that I may apply to my personal Minimalism photography, where the light always shines through.

This is what Minimalism means to me, through my black and white landscape photography.

I would like to thank National Gallery Singapore and ArtScience Museum for the invitation to Minimalism – Space Light Object exhibition.

Key information and details on Minimalism – Space Light Object

Organised by National Gallery Singapore

In collaboration with ArtScience Museum

Microsite: Minimalism – Space Light Object

Venues

National Gallery Singapore

ArtScience Museum

Exhibition Dates

16^th November 2018 to 14^th April 2019

Social Media

National Gallery Singapore

Facebook Page

Instagram

ArtScience Museum

Facebook Page

Instagram

Tickets

Pre-order your tickets here, you can buy tickets from National Gallery Singapore or ArtScience Museum (highly recommended to avoid the queues)

The post Minimalism – Space Light Object appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.