SCIENCE FICTIONS
SPEECH BY MR YATIMAN YUSOF,
SENIOR PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY FOR INFORMATION, COMMUNICATIONS AND THE
ARTS, AT THE OPENING OF SCIENCE FICTIONS, AN EXHIBITION BY EARL LU GALLERY,
LASALLE-SIA COLLEGE OF THE ARTS, AT THE ASIAN CIVILISATIONS MUSEUM, EMPRESS
PLACE ON THURSDAY, 5 JUNE 2003 at 6.00 PM
Your Excellencies
Artists
Friends
Ladies and Gentlemen
I am happy to be here this evening to officiate the opening of the exhibition of
Science Fictions, held in conjunction with Singapore Arts Festival 2003. This
exhibition brings together 17 distinguished artists from 10 countries across the
world. I understand that some of them are with us here this evening. To these
very special people, I would like to extend a special warm welcome to Singapore.
I imagine that it is not an easy task to put on an international exhibition of
this scale. It requires a considerable level of research and investment of
resources, extensive network with artists, and a high level of curatorial
acumen. Some years ago, major exhibitions of this scale and sophistication were
largely curated or presented by the Singapore Art Museum and the National Arts
Council as part of their on-going visual arts programmes. Today, I am glad to
note that new players and independent curators are coming onto the scene to
curate or present significant shows that provide new insights into art from
Singapore, the region, and beyond.
In this respect, I applaud Earl Lu Gallery at LASALLE-SIA College of the Arts
for its efforts in the last few years for curating international exhibitions of
interest and quality. From Text and Subtext focusing on art by women, Site and
Sight focusing on issues of globalisation, and now Science Fictions exploring
truths or untruths in a post-colonial world, these exhibitions have provided
thought-provoking insights into the world we live in, as well as provide
opportunities for Singapore artists to be exhibited within a regional or
international context. The success of Earl Lu Gallery in securing international
tours for these exhibitions is also important in underscoring Singapore's
ability to be a centre of creativity, and in originating projects that have a
resonance with the rest of the world. I hope to see Earl Lu Gallery continuing
to expand its horizons and search for new opportunities.
While the adrenalin rush and glamour of putting together large scale art
projects are attractive and appealing, smaller scale visual arts projects by
other independent curators and galleries are no less important or valuable to
visual arts development in Singapore. Collectively they inject fresh
perspectives and new energy, and particularly they are significant for their
role in discovering and developing new art talents from Singapore and the
region. In this, the contribution made by the Substation, the Sculpture Square,
Plastique Kinetic Worms, the galleries under the Art Galleries Association of
Singapore, and the new Jendalah Gallery at the Esplanade are critical to
Singapore's visual arts development and maturity.
In the next few years, new exhibition spaces brought on by the new campuses of
the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, LASALLE-SIA College of the Arts, the extension
of Singapore Art Museum, as well as the further development of projects like the
Nokia Singapore Art, and Singapore's participation at international art events,
will open up further opportunities for our artists and curators. In particular,
I hope to see more Singaporeans venturing into the field of curatorship and art
criticism. Curators and critics help 'frame' and communicate the works of
artists and are therefore vital to sustaining the future eco-system of visual
arts development in Singapore.
Singapore is at the crossroads of the various countries of Asia and the rest of
the world. This presents us unique opportunities to initiate, develop and
communicate our artistic endeavours. Today's exhibition, Science Fictions,
epitomises Singapore's connectivity with the world.
Put together by two curators, Ms Binghui Huangfu of Earl Lu Gallery and
well-known Philippine curator Ms Marian Pastor Roces, I understand that
negotiations are ongoing for this exhibition to travel to New Zealand, Stockholm
and Spain. My congratulations to them for successfully curating and presenting
Science Fictions. My best wishes also to all the artists who have participated
in this exhibition.
It is now with great pleasure that I declare the exhibition of Science Fictions
opened.
