#curatinglab

13 years ago, I curated a large scale exhibition at #Helutrans with #AhmadMashadi where we looked at 100 artworks made by artists based in #Singapore. It was part of a methodology that we employed for that edition of #CuratingLab where the participants would make proposals of exhibitions based on their selections from these 100 works. Here is a work that I often think of as the heart and soul of all art that is produced in Singapore. It’s a durational work by #AmandaHeng called Let’s Chat and it was first performed at #TheSubstation in #1996. The work entails a simple gesture where people will gather at a table to pluck off the roots of bean sprouts and talking about any or everything. So much of my work has been influenced by this piece made by Amanda. Ideas behind community, communication, the lack of a script, improvisation, dialogue. Thanks for this, Amanda. Really. Here is a rare photo of the performance with artists, Michael Lee, Sherman Ong, Charles Lim (check out the KPop hair!) and Tang Ling Nah. #MichaelLee #TangLingNah #CharlesLim #ShermanOng (at NUS Museum) https://www.instagram.com/p/ChGPOC0vx12/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

A photograph of Ahmad Mashadi and I back in 2010 during the first Curating Lab @nusmuseum. #AhmadMashadi #HemanChong #CuratingLab #NUSMuseum (at NUS Museum) https://www.instagram.com/p/CZq3SkeFkQX/?utm_medium=tumblr

Over the course of 8 years, #AhmadMashadi and I ran an informal curatorial training program out of @nusmuseum called #CuratingLab. It was an initiative by @nacsingapore to have a platform to cultivate a generation of young curators. Across 3 different batches of participants, we managed to engage with many individuals who have gone on to become very involved in the arts scene in #Singapore. These include curators @singaporeartmuseum like @kennethtay33 and @nosyvelvet, curators who are working and have worked @nationalgallerysingapore like @chengjiayun @syed.m.hafiz. @oneirocritica and @vampiremicrobat and Kenneth went on to found @softwallstuds while @kditzig and @daisyfay are curating all these awesome shows and writing all these amazing texts. Someone who is pivotal to Curating Lab is @greenteafields who has tirelessly worked on it from day one as the executive producer, solving every single big problem that came along. Special thanks also to #PatrickFlores, @cosmincostinas, @p__yao, #JuneYap, @lucentstreak #MustafaShabbir @max.andrews @marianacanepaluna of #Latitudes for being such great mentors to them! #HemanChong (at NUS Museum) https://www.instagram.com/p/CKWHzgRlGCm/?igshid=4ub2jd1arfzz

This interview with Professor Sullivan was conducted in Winter 2012. The footage was edited and presented in the exhibition between January and February 2013. The objective of this interview is to learn how curatorial practice was like in 1950s Singapore, and of course for Professor Sullivan himself. This interview also gives an insight into the art and cultural scene during that time. Special thanks to Cain Chui Yong Jian, who spontaneously aided us to actualise this interview in Oxford on a late call, and Chris Yeo Siew Hua, who worked tediously to create this edited clip. Video edited and vetted by Kent Chan, Jennifer Lam, and Kenneth Tay.

pretty neat article on curating lab 2012. hopefully i'll look back a year or two from now and be extremely thankful for this experience.