SINGAPORE’S BURGEONING INTEREST IN THE INTERSECTION OF ART AND TECHNOLOGY IS ON FULL DISPLAY WITH THE UPCOMING S.E.A. FOCUS AND ART SG FAIRS, AS WELL AS MUSEUM EXHIBITIONS ACROSS THE CITY.
THE VIBRANT SHOWCASE OF REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL TALENT, FROM EARLY PIONEERS TO CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS, REFLECTS SINGAPORE’S COMMITMENT TO ENGAGING DEEPLY WITH THE IMPLICATIONS OF TECHNOLOGY IN ART AND SOCIETY.
Singapore has become a thriving hub for the convergence of contemporary art and cutting-edge technology, as exemplified by the upcoming editions of S.E.A. Focus and ART SG fairs. Renowned Thai auteur and artist Apichatpong Weerasethakul‘s innovative use of ChatGPT-3 in his video installation, “A Conversation with the Sun,” sets the stage for a broader exploration of the influence of digital technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) on the Southeast Asian art scene.
S.E.A. FOCUS 2024: ‘SERIAL AND MASSIVELY PARALLEL’:
The theme of S.E.A. Focus, ‘Serial and Massively Parallel,’ curated by John Tung, responds to the prevailing suspicion and fear surrounding AI. Tung emphasizes the unique capabilities of the human brain, drawing a parallel to the distinct serial nature of computers. The fair, featuring over 50 artists and 22 exhibitors, adopts a free-flowing format, breaking away from the traditional booth segmentation. It showcases a diverse array of practices, from traditional sculpture to technology-based works, exploring the role of such technologies in less developed economies.
Among the participatory works is Ella Mendoza’s ‘The Weight of the Rest of us’ (2023), a thought-provoking installation involving raw ceramic pots. These works challenge viewers to contemplate the place of technology in societies still rooted in agriculture.
ART SG 2024: EMBRACING TECHNOLOGY IN ASIA’S SILICON VALLEY:
ART SG, held at the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Center, underscores Singapore’s position as Asia’s Silicon Valley. Shuyin Yang, the director of the fair, notes the heightened tech awareness and receptivity to new media works within the city. The fair features an increased number of technology-based works, spanning early pioneers like Manfred Mohr to contemporary artists like Refik Anadol and Jake Elwes, whose works engage with AI and its societal implications.
MUSEUM EXHIBITIONS: BRIDGING SOUTHEAST ASIAN ART AND INTERNATIONAL DISCOURSE:
Singaporean museums actively contribute to the intersection of art and technology, bringing together Southeast Asian artists and global pioneers. The ArtScience Museum‘s recent exhibitions, ‘Notes from the Ether: From NFTs to AI’ and ‘New Eden: Science Fiction Mythologies Transformed,’ showcase artists shaping the generative AI landscape and explore futuristic themes through immersive experiences.
At Tanjong Pagar Distripark, the Singapore Art Museum’s ‘Proof of Personhood: Identity and Authenticity in the Face of Artificial Intelligence’ delves into the emerging genre of AI portraiture. The exhibition reflects on the evolving ideas of identity and authenticity in the digital era, inspired by the rise of AI-generated pop groups, virtual influencers, and deepfake imagery.
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