• Part 1: Impressions
• Part 2: Amalgamate 
• Part 3: Awakenings 

Let me bring you into “Intersections”, this immersive, intriguing and uniquely experiential amalgamated performing arts adventure, through my visual storytelling and photographs.

Part 1: Impressions

Walking through the entrance, entering into the multi-purpose hall at SCCC, there was a short introduction by the ushers/chaperones. 

What were my initial impressions? 

This nine photo collage is the stage where “Intersections” come together in a ever shifting nine-grid formation, also known as “九宫格”, where audience can get themselves immersed with and interact with the different multi-sensory arts genres on offer, crossing boundaries that you might never think it’s possible with those different performing arts genres.

My initial impressions were, heh this “九宫格”, it’s really unique and different, a very interesting approach to present and amalgamate different performing arts genres together! 

Nine-Grid Arts Formation

1) Music: Rhythmic Flow

2) Wayang Kulit: Dancing Puppets

3) Drama: The vicissitudes of Singapore River

4) Peranakan Fashion: Splendid Elegance 

5) Installation Art: Whispers from the Woods | Dance: Awakenings

6) Opera: Dreams in Harmony

7) Calligraphy: Dancing Figure

8) Photography: Shadow and Dance

9) Multimedia: The Everchanging Land Beneath 

Part 2: Amalgamate

That’s where the artists inside the “九宫格” make their way behind, and the audience proceed to sit down, waiting for the second part of the performance to begin. Next up, the various artists amalgamate together through brilliant choreography and artistic storytelling, each having its own chapter and arts/drama/creative journey to tell the world. 

The flow of artists performances might seem chaotic at first, yet it’s also structured and planned. Everyone of us would be probably be intrigued and engrossed in different artists at work and performing. Personally for me, I was intrigued by Calligraphy: Dancing Figure (maybe because that’s the only art category that I passed in school), Photography: Shadow and Dance, as a photographer and visual storyteller myself, I am like the photographer capturing moments of a dance performance. Multimedia: The Everchanging Land Beneath, the moving and ever-changing multi-media lighting artwork with invoking dance performances, give me the light and direction to chase after them, hoping to capture a priceless moment in modern multi-media world. 

Part 3: Awakenings 

A massive grand finale dance performance, in a sea of red, inviting you to be immersed with them together in heart and soul, awakening to tell yourself and others that we need to be conscious, we also need to let go, so that we make important changes in our life, and we can rise again as we face the ongoing challenges around us and the world today. 

Personal Thoughts and Views

At the end of the this wonderful and engaging performance “Intersections”, I did have a number of feelings, thoughts, emotions and views. Hearing the heartfelt stories, sharing from Artistic Director Cao Shiji from Dance Ensemble Singapore, hearing warmest congratulations across the board by the audience, everyone of us knew deep in our hearts, we had witnessed and experienced something really special and unique.

“Intersections” by Dance Ensemble Singapore – Engaging, immersive, uniquely contemporary yet strong and grounded in their own traditional roots of each of their respective performing arts discipline. 

Showcasing cross promotion, cooperation, alliance and partnership with different arts and culture. It’s like a big family of practicing artists of various genres with immense love and passion for the arts, coming together under one roof, for a common purpose, to bring performing arts onto another level.

To some people who might be more critical and picky, they might feel too many different artistic genres combing together, too messy or “rojak” in our local lingo. Personally for me, I find this approach refreshing, an eye-opener, that somehow connects the audiences hearts, minds and souls, together in this amalgamated artistic approach. 

A key and unique aspect of “Intersections” is inviting the audience to interact, immerse and engage, something missing in many arts and cultural performances (in my personal humble opinion). 

As a photographer, visual storyteller myself, this is inspiring, how I can work further and better, with artists, creatives from other artistic genres.

One of the best performing arts that I ever attended and experienced till date, “Intersections” is a multi-sensory arts and performances installations exploring the connections between dance and other arts forms such as Music, Wayang Kulit, Drama, Peranakan Fashion, Performing Arts Installations, Opera, Calligraphy, Photography and Multimedia art, putting their deepest love and passion for their arts and craft into this amazing performance. 

I had an amazing artistic journey and experiences, and I am pretty sure the rest of the audience that day shared the same sentiments too (and also the audiences watching your performances on 16, 17 and 18 May 2025).

Thank you Dance Ensemble Singapore for this mind-blowing artistic performance, “Intersections”, the meanings and stories behind each special parts.

• Impressions: How we (the audience) view/feel and engage various performing arts genres coming together that seem not likely or possible in the first place. 
• Amalgamate: How you all bring them all together for a common goal to share and showcase performing arts 
• Awakenings: How we can let go of ourselves (especially for those non-arts practitioners) to view, feel, enjoy and learn about traditional and contemporary performing arts in today’s modern technology driven society.

More photographs on Intersections by Dance Ensemble Singapore at Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre Cultural Extravaganza can be viewed here in this Flickr photo album. 

Thank you very much, Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre and Dance Ensemble Singapore, for the invitation to the full-dress rehearsal of “Intersections”.

The post Intersections by Dance Ensemble Singapore at SCCC Cultural Extravaganza 2025 appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

Singapore Chinese Cultural Contribution Awards 2025

The Guest-of-Honour at the SCCC CE 2025 Opening Ceremony, Ms Low Yen Ling, Senior Minister of State (SMS) for Culture, Community and Youth & Trade and Industry, graced the event, applauded SCCC’s continuous efforts in promoting Singapore’s unique local Chinese arts and culture. 

SMS Low presented SCCCA (Individual) to Mr Quek Ling Kiong, Principal Conductor of the Singapore Chinese Orchestra (SCO), and SCCCA (Organisation) to Siaw-Tao Chinese Seal Carving, Calligraphy & Painting Society. 

Mr Quek was recognised for his visionary leadership in shaping SCO’s distinctive Singaporean voice and bringing Chinese Orchestral music to new audiences. As for Siaw-Tao, they were honoured for their dedication to preserving the traditional Chinese art forms of seal carving, calligraphy, and painting, and also for the consistent efforts in showcasing these traditional Chinese art forms both locally and internationally.

Nominations for next year’s SCCCA 2026 are now open, with the awards conferment of SCCCA 2025. Members of the public can nominate deserving candidates for SCCCA 2026 from now till 30 September 2025, 5pm. 

For more information on SCCCA, category criteria (Individual and Organisation), please visit SCCA website: https://singaporeccc.org.sg/SCCCA/ 

SCCC Cultural Extravaganza 2025 Kicks Off with a Big Bang!

After the Singapore Chinese Cultural Contribution Awards 2025 ceremony, representatives from local Chinese arts and cultural community, were treated to CE 2025 opening show comprising snippets from some of CE 2025 performances from the following: 

Home Kitchen by Nine Years Theatre 

LOVE Across Time: No Expiry Date! By LOVE 972

Intersections by Dance Ensemble Singapore (DES)

Nine Years Theatre and Mdm Yan Choong Lian, founder of DES, were both recipients of SCCCA 2024!  

SCCC Cultural Extravaganza 2025

This year’s SCCC CE is going to be exciting, featuring a dynamic mix of veteran and emerging practitioners and performing arts groups. They bring together traditional and contemporary artistic and cultural expressions that reflect the evolution of Singapore Chinese arts and culture. 

SCCC CE 2025 features a range of programmes that showcases the vibrancy and distinctiveness of local Chinese arts and culture. There are a mix of ticketed paid events, as well as free arts and cultural programmes at SCCC’s concourse of the first time – making local Chinese cultural offerings more accessible to parents and children. 

SCCC CE 2025 returns from 9 May 2025 to 7 June 2025, this is SCCC annual flagship event celebrating SINGAPO人 Arts. Visit https://singaporen.sg/experience/ce/events for the list of SCCC CE 2025 events lineup!

Spread the word about SCCC Cultural Extravaganza 2025 to your family, loved ones and friends! Let’s celebrate and discover more about SINGAPO人 Arts!

Follow Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre (SCCC) on their social media:

Website: www.singaporeccc.org.sg 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/singaporechineseculturalcentre 

Instagram: www.instagram.com/singaporechineseculturalcentre 

Wechat ID: sccc_sg 

The post SCCC Cultural Extravaganza 2025 returns from 9 May to 7 June! appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.