President’s Young Talent continues to receive strong support
By Yong Shu Hsien
SINGAPORE – For the first time in nine years, one of the four artists, whose works are being exhibited at the Singapore Arts Museum, will receive a cash reward and a sponsored overseas trip to a country.
The award, Credit Suisse Artist Residency Award, will allow the artist to develop their artistic talent and gain exposure to overseas art communities. The winner will get to choose his or her desired country to visit.
A group of artists who call themselves Vertical Submarine is the first group in history to be short-listed to exhibit their works. Formed since 2003, Vertical Submarine comprises Joshua Yang, 35, Justin Loke, 30 and Fiona Koh, 26. The other three nominated artists are Donna Ong, Felicia Low and Twardzik Ching Chor Leng.
The President’s Young Talent (PYT), a biennial contemporary art exhibition series showcasing work of upcoming Singapore artists, is jointly organised by the Istana and the Singapore Art Museum. It is currently in its ninth year since its inauguration in 2001.
A voting system has been set up for the first time, to allow the public to vote for their favourite artist or artwork. Those who vote will stand a chance to win attractive prices. A People’s Choice Award will also be presented to the artist voted favourite by the public.
Ms Tan Siu Li, curator of the exhibition said: “The President’s Young Talent (PYT) is an important platform to showcase their (artists’) talent and their ideas and it has been a rewarding experience as I had the opportunity to work with the artists and help them realise their projects”.
She added that PYT committee set up a website as part of their outreach and educational effort for Singaporeans and the international community, so that they can be aware of the happenings in the Singapore art scene.
The public could take part in the art-making process, which was facilitated by one of the nominated artists, Felicia Low.
21-year-old student, Tan Hui Kheng, who was present at the exhibition, said she was heartened to see the involvement of government in PYT as it shows that the government is continuously promoting the works of young Singapore artists.
The exhibition will be held from 15 August to 27 December 2009 at the Singapore Art Museum. The winner of the PYT09 Credit Suisse Artist Residency Award will be revealed on 6 November 2009 at the PYT Gala dinner.
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Four Japanese seasons in one cultural night.
By Goi Jia Yi Pearlyn
The inaugural NUS Japanese Cultural Night on October 16 left Japanese enthusiasts enthralled as they immersed themselves in an evening of cultural performances inspired by the seasons in Japan at NUS Lecture 13.
Themed “kisetsu”, which means “Seasons” in Japanese, the cultural performances include Nihon Buyo (Japanese dance), Sado (Japanese tea ceremony), Koto (Japanese musical instrument) and Taiko (Japanese drums).
The event was organised by the NUS Japanese Studies Society (JSS) with the objective to raise awareness and appreciation of the Japanese cultural arts in NUS.
“The turnout itself was overwhelming, something that we did not expect,” said Charmaine Tan, President of the NUS JSS, when asked to comment on the crowd of 150 people. “Both the audience and the performers enjoyed themselves – and that’s what I think make up a great performance.”
The Singapore Polytechnic Japanese Taiko Drum Team performed the highlight of the event called “Drums of Happiness”. The energetic drum beats symbolise the celebration of harvest during autumn in Japan.
Other performers come from NUS Japanese clubs such as NUS Nihon Buyo, NUS Sado Group and NUS Kotokotton.
The NUS Nihon Buyo charmed the audience with their graceful dance steps when they performed the dance “Sakura Sakura”. The dance highlighted the maidens’ personalities and their admiration for the Sakura flowers, and the use of fans to symbolise falling petals and blooming flowers in Summer.
Melodious music filled the auditorium when NUS KotoKotton began to strung a range of tunes using the koto, which is a traditional Japanese zither originated from the Chinese guzheng.
The most notable piece was entitled “Matsuri-ka”, which means flower festivals literally. The arrangement of the music, made up by a standard 13-string koto and a 17-string bass koto, added a vibrant Spring atmosphere to the cultural night.
Indeed, the audience showed great enthusiasm for the last dance performance as they clapped to the beats of “Soranbushi”, an energetic folk dance with origins from fishermen of Hokkaido.
“I like the energy of the last dance,” said Ho Yonghow, a third-year Civil Engineering student. “The dance was well expressed through the happiness and vigour of the performers.”
Besides increasing awareness, the NUS JSS also aims to promote ties between Singaporean and Japanese students through educational and cultural exchanges.
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Country Music Superstar Carrie Underwood Live at ION Orchard Opening Night
By Tran Nguyen Quoc Khanh
COUNTRY music may not be the top pick for Singapore’s music fans, but American Idol and multiple-Grammy-Award winner Carrie Underwood sure got everyone, or at least more than 500 of them, on their feet when she was in town last Friday night.
The premiere of Mama’s Song, a new release from her upcoming album Play On, was performed by the singer. Underwood’s one-night-only outdoor concert, her first in Asia, was in line with Constellation, the official opening of Singapore’s newest shopping mall ION Orchard.
Fans gathered near the stage as early as 5 p.m., three hours before the scheduled show time.
Singapore-based MTV Asia VJ, Utt, was the emcee for the night. He took the stage to lighten up the atmosphere as anxious fans stood waiting. A video clip of Underwood was shown on the large screens accompanied by synchronised fireworks.
Underwood then appeared on stage at about 8.30pm amidst frenzied applause from the eager and ecstatic crowd. She kick started the concert with the track Flat on the Floor from her latest platinum-certified album Carnival Ride.
Underwood topped the feast of country music and electrified the audience with other hits like Last Name, So Small, Cowboy Casanova, All-American Girl and Home Sweet Home, which was quite a treat as fans had expected much less for a mini-concert.
“She’s amazing. This is first time I’ve seen her with my own eyes. It’s pretty incredible,” said Samuel Duong, 25, a fan of Carrie who had camped for the show since five o’clock.
The best was, as usual, saved for the last as Underwood belted out the never-been-performed single Mama’s Song, which got a standing ovation from the fans.
Almost the entire crowd pulled out their recording gadgets for the premiere.
Being an eperienced stage performer, Carrie engaged fans with small talks in between the songs, briefly commented on the humid tropical weather and told everyone how excited she was.
The crowd responded with loud cheers after every song, seemingly thirsty for more of Carrie’s sweet yet powerful voice.
Carrie Underwood’s Introductory Video – Live at ION Orchard Opening Night
Carrie Underwood’s “Mama’s Song” – Live at ION Orchard Opening Night
Carrie Underwood’s First Song “Flat on the Floor” – Live at ION Orchard Opening Night
