Presenting Cutting Edge Media Arts to the World (29-Aug-2003)

Singapore presents cutting edge media arts to the world



Read a book about Malay dance as a miniature performer flits around the pages, demonstrating the intricate dance steps and body movements. Be part of the cast of a theatre performance involving local and international artists, in the comfort of your favourite armchair. These are not impossible scenarios or far-fetched ideas, based on the work done by Mixed Reality Lab researcher, Dr Adrian Cheok.

Dr Cheok will be launching his work, Gulliver’s Box, on 6 September 2003 at the Ars Electronica Festival 2003, the world’s highly acclaimed festival that interfaces art, technology and society. A platform for cutting edge and experimental media art, many of the works presented at the Festival have spun off into business opportunities throughout its 23-year history.

Dr Cheok is known for originating a novel way of combining virtual reality with the real world, where three dimensional computer graphics are overlaid in the physical realm with the use of a head-mounted display. His research and achievements have earned him an invitation to exhibit his interactive media art work in the core programme of Festival. In addition, Gulliver’s Box will be exhibited for one year at the prestigious Ars Electronica Center Museum of the Future, famed for its convergence of arts, science and business.

The National Arts Council is pleased to support Dr Cheok’s participation in Ars Electronica 2003. Ms Goh Ching Lee, Director of Programmes and International Development Division at the National Arts Council, says “Through our support of Adrian, we hope to inject the mixed reality technology into the artistic community and create opportunities for artists to experiment with and exploit this technology in their work. The synergy between art and technology, the alliance between artist and researcher, will bring a new wave of excitement in the arts scene, as local artists engage and incorporate new media art in their practice.”

A successful collaboration happened last year when Dr Cheok and local multimedia artist, Mr Paul Lincoln paired together to present The Wanderers – The Deluxe Men Go Wandering at the 2002 Ars Electronica Festival. It captured much attention and stirred immense interest among researchers and artists, catapulting Singapore into the world map of art and technology.

Dr Cheok will not be the only one participating in key arts events overseas. This August to November 2003, ten other artists and arts groups will make their presence felt at several international biennales and festivals.

In the area of visual arts, Mr Suyatdi Yadoni participated in the Images of Asia Festival 2003, one of the largest cultural events in Copenhagen, Denmark. Mr Heman Chong will present Not to Scale at Ars Electronica 2003, a work which lodges itself as research on commercial coding and the world of adventure gaming. Ms Shirley Wu is set to make an impact at the inaugural Beijing Biennale 2003, as she presents her Forbidden City – Wall Series in the Chinese capital. Ms Noni Kaur’s installation at the 8th Havana Biennale encourages visitors to eat parts of the work, adding a new dimension to interactive art.

 

Source: National Arts Council Press Release