Get artsy with the 2021 edition of the Singapore Art Week. Happening across Singapore, the Art Week programmes at Gillman Barracks focus on contemporary art. I checked it out this weekend, and here’s my experience at Gillman Barracks!
Front Entrance
Located opposite Alexandra Point, Gillman Barracks was surprisingly easy to find. In fact, the bus stopped right in front of it, making it convenient to walk to. There was an info desk set up to direct visitors to the exhibitions they wanted to go to, which was an added bonus.
*You might need to book certain tours or programmes in advance, so do check it out early to avoid disappointment.
Artist As Collector
This exhibition seemed random at first, with various artworks displayed on the wall, but I soon learned that was not the case. Each artwork or item collected came with a story as to its significance to the collector.
Take this teapot, for example. It was given to the artist by a friend who he met at a ceramics workshop, and represents the friendship and camaraderie between the two artists. Of course, I would never have guessed that such a simple object could have such a deep meaning, which is the point of this exhibition. Visitors are invited to explore art not just at its aesthetic value, but form an emotional connection with it.
I enjoyed this exhibition as it was a fresh take on experiencing art from a different perspective. We focus so much on art but rarely the artist, but this exhibition puts the stories of the artists at the front and centre. I learned to appreciate art better from this exhibition, and it was certainly memorable.
Singapore Ceramics Now
At first glance, this might seem like a metal structure, but I was surprised to learn that it was constructed entirely out of ceramics. The entire exhibition uses ceramics as its sole medium, and there were some pieces that looked impossible to believe.
The ceramic flowers on this staircase look fragile, and they are supposed to be. The fragility of life is highlighted in this piece, but despite it being fragile, it is allowed to be beautiful as well. Sculpting these flowers seemed like a difficult task, and I was in awe at this piece.
An interactive part of the exhibition invited visitors to take ceramic moulds shaped like pill tablets and roll out their feelings towards the entire pandemic in the sand. Together with everyone’s feelings in the sand, it created a beautiful picture of human emotion and shared experiences with the pandemic.
The highlight of this exhibition was definitely this exhibit. Using a repurposed record player and hollow ceramic pieces as the music instead, it produced a unique sound. The rotating movement of the ball was mesmerising, and it was an unconventional but interesting take on the sensory experience.
Networked Bodies
In this pandemic, how do we still maintain connection and intimacy? Networked Bodies explored how human relationships relied more on digital mediums, but were no less meaningful. From a HDB block where people danced at their window at the same time to a livestream where viewers encouraged an artist stretching in impossible positions, Networked Bodies was an enlightening look into making connections in the digital and physical world.
Shifting Between: Our Softest Hour
I had no idea what to expect exploring this exhibition, but it turned out to be an emotional journey that highlights the soul of human connection. Sometimes, art feels too personal to be documented digitally, and this was one of those times.
Imagine a loved one lost all memory of you. Now, write a letter to make them remember. The walls were covered in letters to friends, lovers, ex-lovers, and parents. Each letter contained a fragment of someone’s life, and their own personal experience. I penned a letter down as well, and it felt strangely cathartic.
Take something of yours you want to bury in the past, and put it in the soil. Polaroids were scattered below soil, as well as love letters and even necklaces. While I did not bring anything to bury, spectating this quiet compilation was equally as emotional By the end, it was a miniature museum of the human experience built from the contributions of regular people.
The mood was somber, but it was a meditative reflection on the connections that give life meaning.
Pivot Point
Combining the physical world with digital influences, Pivot Point was a colourful journey through culture and connection. Featuring works by eight young artists, it was a visual treat and highlighted the commonalities in being that we all share, regardless of our origin or belief.
Art is for everyone
I concluded my visit with a nice free tote bag to commemorate my experience! Art Week 2021 at Gillman Barracks was a unique, emotional experience, and you don’t have to be an art aficionado to enjoy it.
