In a special 2-part, 2-day event, join artists from Singapore and the UK to discuss their contrasting experiences of creating artworks inspired by, and in collaboration with, communities.
The event includes a screening of CIVIC LIFE, a groundbreaking series of community based film, shot on 35 mm, by UK based artists/filmmakers Joe Lawlor and Christine Molloy.
CIVIC LIFE (Rating tba), 72 mins
Followed by Q&A with Joe Lawlor and Christine Molloy
SATURDAY, 3rd January 10.30 am ¨C 12.30 pm, Golden Village, Tiong Bahru
CIVIC LIFE
Christine Molloy and Joe Lawlor (desperate optimists) embarked on the 'Civic Life' series in Jul 2003 and have since created a unique and richly cinematic series of short films that capture different places and communities in a single, daring take. Working with 35mm equipment, complex film rigs and environments, not to mention hundreds of extras and a propensity for working with both children and animals, they have generated a body of work made in negotiation with local residents and community groups that is both theatrical and deeply cinematic, experimental and highly accessible.
FRAMING COMMUNITIES
SUNDAY 4th January 2.00 pm ¨C 5.30 pm Sinema at Old School
A forum about artists working with people and places.The label 'Community Art' hardly begins to describe the exciting range and breadth of artistic activities that have been created by artists in collaboration with groups of people, often drawing inspiration from the places and spaces where they live, work and play. The meeting between people who belong to communities with artists from outside, is usually a delicate process of negotiation and expectation-management. The experience of facilitation, sharing, discussion, agreement and conflict, all play a crucial part in the 'final' artworks, which often defy easy categorisation.
Framing Communities brings together a diverse line-up of speakers to discuss their contrasting experiences of creating artworks that involve 'ordinary' people. The artists come from various backgrounds and work in multiple media, including film, video art, theatre and photography. Their projects all take very different approaches to working with communities, but each of them are linked by their interest in urban spaces, art as a collaborative event, and the process of discovery and inspiration sparked by the coming-together of strangers and friends.
The aim of this forum is to discover more about the practice and process of creating unusual and unique community art projects; to explore how artworks of this kind function as both process and product, and how they are valuable for urban communities and spaces, and the artists themselves.
Moderated by Ben Slater
Speakers:
Shannon Castleman (Singapore/US). An artist whose work has been concerned with urban environments. Her recent video installation, Jurong West St. 81, is an ambitious, large-scale collaboration with the inhabitants of two HDB blocks in Jurong.
Jing Quek (Singapore). A photographer known for his humorous and distinctive group images of various communities and 'tribes' within Singapore. www.superhyperreal.com
Joe Lawlor (UK). Along with partner Christine Molloy, Joe directed the 'Civic Life' series, in which they work with specific urban spaces and the people that use those spaces to create richly cinematic films, shot on 35mm, and designed to be shown in cinemas.www.desperateoptimists.com
Kok Heng Leun (Singapore). Artistic director of theatre company Dramabox, who have conducted many community theatre and performance projects, including pioneering work in the area of 'Forum Theatre', an open form that allows for audience intervention and participation.www.dramabox.org
Entry is free but pre-registration is required.
Please note that as space is limited, PLEASE ONLY REGISTER if you are sure you can attend.
To register for the Saturday screening, email ker.layhong@britishcouncil.org.sg, citing CIVIC in the subject line.
To register for the Sunday symposium, email ker.layhong@britishcouncil.org.sg, citing FRAMING in the subject line.
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