7–10 Mar 2019, Thu-Sun The Arts House PERFORMANCES • EXHIBITIONS • TALKS & PANEL DISCUSSIONS • WORKSHOPS • CHILDREN’S PROGRAMMES Co-commissioned by
Supported by
The Arts House is managed by
7–10 Mar 2019, Thu-Sun The Arts House Textures celebrates the power and beauty of words. It invites audiences to experience and appreciate how words give us the ability to express ourselves as well as give meaning to our lives and the world. With its profound ability to connect and unite, words breathe life into the vast breadth of human thought and feeling, whether spoken or written. Ticketing Information Visit theartshouse.peatix.com to register for free and ticketed programmes. Please note all tickets purchased are non-exchangeable and non-refundable.
In this weekend of words, we also celebrate Singapore literature and the people who have contributed to it. From mastering the craft to those building a community of writers and readers, they are all part of weaving and strengthening the fabric of our literary landscape.
Producer’s Message “This is the gift that words afford us – a powerful instrument in our otherwise inept, inadequate beings, for whom life can be at times an overwhelming tsunami, at other a be-calmed sea, unresponsive to our attempts to move forward.”
“Who is the Malay person in Singapore?”. The multimedia exhibition My Grandfather’s Road will see artist Neo Kim Seng bringing his memoir based on Neo Pee Teck Lane, named after his grandfather, to life. The exhibition invites us to look closely at the bonds which tie that community together in a work that has spanned almost four decades. In A Night of Terrifying Tales, Master Storyteller Kamini Ramachandran and her troupe of storytellers will take over the second floor of The Arts House to challenge us to relook our fears that take over when we least expect it.
Anne Lee Tzu Pheng
As one of the curators that worked on the Singapore Writers Festival Literary Pioneer exhibition which honoured Dr Anne Lee Tzu Pheng in 2017, I spent a lot of time with her and her words. I must have read the foreword she wrote for the exhibition booklet at least a dozen times and the lines above always struck a chord with me.
We will also present programmes that examine what matters to us. In the panel discussion Can Singaporeans Ever Be Happy? we bring together both fiction and nonfiction writers to discuss the mental health of our country. We also explore stories about migrant workers that are filled with loss and yet coupled with determination. Spend a bit of time in our Room of Love and Loss where members of the literary community celebrate and eulogise important objects in their lives.
It is in times when we are filled with heightened emotions – joy, sadness, mirth, anger, melancholy, inspiration – we discover afresh how words can so beautifully articulate the myriad of emotions we feel and also elicit hidden ones we had forgotten existed. As we make sense of our world through the process of reading or writing, it allows us to acknowledge all the light and darkness in it, as well as those shades in between. This truth has led us to the theme for Textures this year – “Love and Loss (and some things in between)” which invites all to connect with SingLit through these universal feelings.
The little ones, who are special reminders of the need to love, are also welcomed in our offering of storytelling in different languages to delight them. I hope you will pull up a chair at one of the many programmes during Textures and make yourself at home. Let us wrap you in a warm blanket of words and weather the tsunami of emotions together.
Our slate of programmes will explore how our local literature helps us to express emotions both at the forefront and buried deep in our hearts. In Performing Malay Sketches, budding theatre company, The Second Breakfast Company, takes on Alfian Sa’at’s landmark work and navigates the ideas of belonging in asking the question:
Lisa Lip Producer for Textures Senior Manager, Programmes, The Arts House 1
SCHEDULE
Visit theartshouse.peatix.com to register for free and ticketed programmes. Please note all tickets purchased are non-exchangeable and non-refundable.
7 MAR, THU
Time
Programme
Venue
10am–10pm
Common Life
Print & Film Gallery
by Ho Chee Lick and Anne Lee Tzu Pheng
10am–10pm
any anything also can
2nd Floor, The Arts House
curated by Sing Lit Station
8pm–9.30pm
Performing Malay Sketches
Play Den
by The Second Breakfast Company
8 MAR, FRI
10am–1pm
Editorial Consultations
Council Room
10am–10pm
Room of Love and Loss (and some things in between)
Gallery I & Foyer
10am–10pm
Common Life by Ho Chee Lick and Anne Lee Tzu Pheng
Print & Film Gallery
10am–10pm
QuoteUnQuote
Gallery II
curated by Jason Wee
10am–10pm 10am–10pm
any anything also can curated by Sing Lit Station
2nd Floor, The Arts House
My Grandfather’s Road – Rabbit Heart, Dragon Soul
Chamber
by Neo Kim Seng
2pm–5pm
Editorial Consultations
3pm–4.30pm, 8pm–9.30pm
by The Second Breakfast Company
6pm–10pm
Child Labour by Proletariat Poetry Factory
Porch
6pm–10pm
#BuySingLit Book Bazaar
Gallery I
7pm–10pm
Editorial Consultations
Council Room
8pm–9pm
Performing Malay Sketches
Council Room Play Den
The Page on Stage – Samping by Spare Room Productions Back of Chamber 2
SCHEDULE
9 M A R , S AT Time
Programme
Venue
9.30am– 2pm
Editorial Consultations
Council Room & Blue Room
10am–10pm
Room of Love and Loss (and some things in between)
Gallery I & Foyer
10am–10pm
Common Life by Ho Chee Lick and Anne Lee Tzu Pheng
Print & Film Gallery
QuoteUnQuote
Gallery II
10am–10pm
curated by Jason Wee
10am–10pm 10am–10pm
any anything also can curated by Sing Lit Station
2nd Floor, The Arts House
My Grandfather’s Road – Rabbit Heart, Dragon Soul
Chamber
by Neo Kim Seng
10am–12pm
Tamil Storytelling for Children
Living Room
by The Association of Singapore Tamil Writers
10am–12pm
Remember When Remix Show-and-Tell
Play Den
11am–10pm
#BuySingLit Book Bazaar
Gallery I
11am–12pm
Contemplations: Religion, Myth & History
Blue Room
featuring Gwee Li Sui, Nuraliah Norasid and Krishna Udayasankar
1pm–4pm
Safe Space Stories
Council Room
facilitated by Paul Rozario-Falcone
2pm–4pm
Turning Tide – The Nusantara and The Spiritual Ripples in Malay Music
Play Den
2pm–4pm
在异乡响起的人生组曲: 外劳小说讲座
Blue Room
A Tale of Two Cities: Stories about Migrant Workers in Singapore featuring Ding Yun and Lee Chuan Low
3pm–4pm
As the Music Follows – Singapore Art Songs featuring Yap Shing Min, Ng Sheh Feng, Adrian Poon, William Lim and Shane Thio 3
Living Room
SCHEDULE
Time
3pm–4pm
Programme
Venue
The Page on Stage – Samping
Back of Chamber
by Spare Room Productions
5pm–6pm
Excuse Me, Are You A Writer?
Blue Room
featuring Cyril Wong and Gerrie Lim
5pm–6.30pm
Bullet Journaling Workshop by Stephtcreates
Council Room
5.30pm– 6.30pm
Sollum Swaramum
Play Den
5.30pm– 6.30pm
Exhibition Tour with Readings: My Grandfather’s Road – Rabbit Heart, Dragon Soul
Chamber
by Neo Kim Seng, Karen Tan, Tan Cher Kian and Gary Tang
6pm–9pm
Child Labour
Porch
by Proletariat Poetry Factory
7pm–10pm 8pm–9pm
Editorial Consultations
Council Room
The Page on Stage – Samping
Back of Chamber
by Spare Room Productions
9.30pm–11pm
A Night of Terrifying Tales
2nd Floor, The Arts House
by Moonshadow Stories Meeting Point Entrance of The Arts House
10 MAR, SUN
10am–10pm
Room of Love and Loss (and some things in between)
Gallery I & Foyer
10am–10pm
Common Life by Ho Chee Lick and Anne Lee Tzu Pheng
Print & Film Gallery
10am–10pm
QuoteUnQuote curated by Jason Wee
Gallery II
10am–10pm
any anything also can curated by Sing Lit Station
2nd Floor, The Arts House
My Grandfather’s Road – Rabbit Heart, Dragon Soul
Chamber
10am–10pm
by Neo Kim Seng
11am–7pm
#BuySingLit Book Bazaar
Gallery I 4
SCHEDULE
10 MAR, SUN
Time
Programme
Venue
10am–1pm
Editorial Consultations
Blue Room
10.30am– 12pm
facilitated by James Tan
11am–12pm
Comics Workshop for Kids 伴随绘本: 进入孩子们多彩的内心世界
The Colourful World of Children Picture Books
Council Room Screening Room
by Ace Khong 小邝
11am–1pm 1pm–2pm
Illustrating Singlit Bootcamp by AsiaPac Books 一起探索和发现：绘本的美好与力量
Discovering the Power and Beauty of Illustrated Books
Living Room Screening Room
facilitated by Ace Khong 小邝
2pm–3pm
Will Singaporeans Ever Be Happy?
Blue Room
featuring Daniel Fung, Danielle Lim and Haresh Sharma
2pm–4pm
Habits of Creativity: Exploring Writing Methods Workshop
Council Room
facilitated by Desmond Kon Zhicheng-Mingdé
2.30pm–4pm
Degap-Degup Dikir (Dikir Heartbeats)
Play Den
by Unggun Creative
3pm–4pm
The Page on Stage – Samping by Spare Room Productions Back of Chamber
3.30pm–6pm
Creating Collaborative Comics facilitated by James Tan
5pm–6pm
Adapting the Page featuring Bryan Angelo Lim, Adeeb Fazah,
Council Room Blue Room
Kamini Ramachandran and Tse Hao Guang
5.30pm – 6.15pm
Readings in English: My Grandfather’s Road – Rabbit Heart, Dragon Soul
Chamber
by Karen Tan
5pm–8pm 7pm–8pm 7pm–8.30pm
Child Labour by Proletariat Poetry Factory
Porch
The Page on Stage – Samping by Spare Room Productions Back of Chamber Performing Malay Sketches by The Second Breakfast Company 5
Play Den
PERFORMANCES
Performing Malay Sketches by The Second Breakfast Company 7 Mar, Thu 8pm–9.30pm 8 Mar, Fri 3pm–4.30pm & 8pm–9.30pm 10 Mar, Sun 7pm–8.30pm Play Den $20 theartshouse.peatix.com
Who is the Malay person in Singapore? In this play-within-a-play, local theatre company, The Second Breakfast Company, brings Alfian Sa’at’s anthology of short stories, Malay Sketches, to the stage. Through stage enactments of sketches from the book, Performing Malay Sketches peels back the layers of this text exploring the question of how to construct and portray the Malay identity in Singapore – and how it is represented, perceived and celebrated. Playwrights Mark Benedict Cheong and Adeeb Fazah Director Adeeb Fazah Cast Nur Sofihah, Muhammad Fauzi, Adeeb Fazah,
Rating TBA
Muhammad Hafidz, Hu Yuheng and Nisa Syarafana
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PERFORMANCES
Image by Prism
The Page on Stage – Samping by Spare Room Productions 8 Mar, Fri 8pm–9pm 9 Mar, Sat 3pm–4pm & 8pm–9pm 10 Mar, Sun 3pm–4pm & 7pm–8pm Back of Chamber
What started as a commissioned programme for last year’s Textures has now been expanded into a series of plays dramatised from Singapore literature. The series will feature three short stories from the Balik Kampung series (Math Paper Press) and is adapted and directed by three top award-winning television writer/directors lending their magic from the tube to the theatre! The first in the series will be presented during Textures.
Rating TBA
Samping Adapted from Cyril Wong’s short story The Mistake, Samping takes us on a young Malay boy’s journey through bereavement, longing, persecution, and eventually the beginnings of becoming a man.
From left: Norman Ishak and
Producers Tan Kheng Hua and Lim Yu-Beng
$20 theartshouse.peatix.com
M Raihan Halim
Playwright and Director M Raihan Halim Cast Norman Ishak 7
PERFORMANCES
Remember When Remix Show-and-Tell 9 Mar, Sat 10am–12pm Play Den Free Register via theartshouse.peatix.com
Join us in this “show-and-tell” featuring past participants from our Remember When workshop series and experience the personal memories, precious moments, and aspirations of the silver generation, captured in original monologues that were first written in 2018 and refined over the past two months.
As the Music Follows Singapore Art Songs featuring Yap Shing Min, Ng Sheh Feng, Adrian Poon, William Lim and Shane Thio 9 Mar, Sat | 3pm–4pm Living Room | Free Register via theartshouse.peatix.com Performed in English, Mandarin and Malay From left: Yap Shing Min, Ng Sheh Feng,
Soprano Yap Shing Min, mezzo-soprano Ng Sheh Feng, tenor Adrian Poon and baritone William Lim present a collection of art songs by Singapore composers Liong Kit Yeng, Bernard Tan, Leong Yoon Pin, Kelly Tan, Zechariah Goh Toh Chai and more. Accompanied by pianist Shane Thio, the performance will also feature the poetry of prominent local writers and poets such as Tan Chee Lay, Arthur Yap, Anne Lee Tzu Pheng, Edwin Thumboo and Liang Wern Fook.
Adrian Poon, William Lim and Shane Thio Producer Shane Thio 8
PERFORMANCES
வர Sollum Swaramum 9 Mar, Sat 5.30pm–6.30pm Play Den Free Register via theartshouse.peatix.com Performed in Tamil with English surtitles From left: Rajesh Kumar Dharmalingam, Niranjan, Alahappan Meyappan, Subhashini Kalaikannan, Isuru Wijesoma, Sai Akileshwar, Nilesh Nathaniel, Harini V and Priya Ravi As part of
ச�ொல் ம் ஸ்வர ம் இந்த இர டாவ பத ிப் ல் ஹர ின ி வ ி, ராஜேஷ் மார் தர்மல ிங்கம், பாஷின ி காலைக்க ணன், அழகப்பன் மேயப்பன் மற் ம் ப ிர ியா ரவ ி ஆக ிய�ோர் அவர்கள ின் ச�ொந்த கவ ிதைகளை ம், மற்ற கழ்பெற்ற ச ிங்கப் ர் கவ ிஞர்கள ின் கவ ிதைகளை ம் வழங் வார்கள். சாய் அக ிலேஷ்வர், இ வ ிஜேச�ோமா, ந ிலேஷ் நாதன் மற் ம் ந ிரஞ்சன் ஆக ிய�ோரால் தம ிழ் ச ின ிமாவ ின் உன்னதமான பாடல்க டன் இந்த செயல்த ிறன் இடம்பெ ம்.
In the second edition of ச�ொல் ம் ஸ்வர ம் – Sollum Swaramum, join poets Harini V, Rajesh Kumar Dharmalingam, Subhashini Kalaikannan, Alahappan Meyappan and Priya Ravi as they present their own work as well as the poems of other renowned Singaporean poets including KTM Iqbal, Latha, Sithuraj Ponraj and Elangovan. The performance will be accompanied by classic songs from Tamil cinema from the 1930s to the present, played by Sai Akileshwar on percussions, Isuru Wijesoma on guitar, Nilesh on keyboard and Niranjan on flute. 9
PERFORMANCES
A Night of Terrifying Tales by Moonshadow Stories 9 Mar, Sat 9.30pm–11pm 2nd Floor, The Arts House $20 theartshouse.peatix.com
Master storyteller Kamini Ramachandran and a team of storytellers present a spooky experience filled will thrills and chills. The audience will visit five locations on the second floor of the House to hear five incredible tales inspired by Singapore’s best-selling series, True Singapore Ghost Stories.
Rating TBA
Producer Moonshadow Stories
For audiences aged 16 and above
Adaptation Kamini Ramachandran
Meeting point
Tay, Jeremy Leong and Kamini Ramachandran
Main entrance of The Arts House
Illustration David Portwood
Cast Charlotte Lau and Fahim Murshed, Daisy Mitchell, Derrick
10
PERFORMANCES
Degap-Degup Dikir (Dikir Heartbeats) by Unggun Creative 10 Mar, Sun 2.30pm–4pm Play Den Free Register via theartshouse.peatix.com Performed in Malay
Degap-Degup Dikir Sepuluh naskhah persembahan dikir barat yang pernah meraih anugerah ‘Seni Kata Terbaik’ suatu masa dahulu kini disuntikkan dengan semangat baharu untuk persembahan istimewa ini. Rima dan irama dalam kata-kata yang ditukangi oleh sepuluh penulis Singapura ini akan diserlahkan oleh paduan suara tiga Tok Juara dengan iringan muzik tradisional dalam latar yang berbeza. Diterbitkan oleh Unggun Creative
Dikir Heartbeats Ten ‘Best Lyrics’ award-winning dikir barat performances are infused with a new spirit for this special rendition. Written by ten Singaporean writers, the rhyme and rhythm in these songs will be accentuated by harmonic vocals from three Tok Juara (lead singer) and accompanied by a traditional music ensemble. Producer Unggun Creative 11
EXHIBITIONS
Common Life by Ho Chee Lick and Anne Lee Tzu Pheng
18 Jan–10 Mar, Fri–Sun 10am–10pm Print & Film Gallery Free
Common Life pairs artist Ho Chee Lick’s sketches of quiet and unremarkable objects and scenes of basic everyday life in Singaporean neighbourhoods with poems by Cultural Medallion recipient Anne Lee Tzu Pheng. It invites viewers on a fresh, inspiring visual and poetic journey into familiar territories that are often overlooked.
any anything also can by Sing Lit Station featuring Fellow and qu’est-ce que c’est design curated by Tse Hao Guang
1–17 Mar, Fri–Sun 10am–10pm 2nd Floor, The Arts House Free
Singapore has always spoken in many tongues at once, and its poetry is no different. any anything also can is a broadside exhibition of multilingual poetry, an eight-poem taster showcasing the linguistic possibilities Singapore has given its writers. Curated by Tse Hao Guang, each of the eight broadsides are artistically reimagined by Fellow and qu’est-ce que c’est design, culminating in a unique collaboration between the literary arts and the best minds in graphic design in Singapore today. 12
EXHIBITIONS
My Grandfather’s Road – Rabbit Heart, Dragon Soul by Neo Kim Seng and curated by Jezlyn Tan 8–17 Mar, Fri–Sun 10am–10pm Chamber Exhibition Tour with readings in Cantonese and English by Karen Tan, Tan Cher Kian and Gary Tang 9 Mar, Sat | 5.30pm–6.30pm Free Readings in English by Karen Tan 10 Mar, Sun | 5.30pm–6.15pm Free My Grandfather’s Songs: A Music Listening Session 16 Mar, Sat | 8pm–10pm | Free Readings in Cantonese by Tan Cher Kian and Gary Tang 17 Mar, Sun | 5pm–6pm | Free Register via theartshouse.peatix.com
My Grandfather’s Road is a multi-disciplinary project of stories about growing up at Neo Pee Teck Lane, a side road in Pasir Panjang, named after the artist’s grandfather. Recollecting his memories and reconnecting with these stories, the project has been published in a book, presented on stage, exhibited as a photography installation and now, a multi-media exhibition. My Grandfather’s Road – Rabbit Heart, Dragon Soul is a visual exposition of the stories through old family photographs, documents, artefacts, video documentaion of the previous stage versions and a new photo book set. There will be readings in English and Cantonese of excerpts from the original book, performance scripts, new writings and a live music listening session of analogue songs for the digital generation, featuring music and songs released up to 1973, the year the artist moved out from his grandfather’s road. Neo Kim Seng was born in January 1964, almost the end of the Year of the Rabbit in the Lunar calendar, just before the entry of the Dragon. This exhibition tells Kim Seng’s stories, a Rabbit who has grown to adopt the spirit of the Dragon, traversing time and space. 13
EXHIBITIONS
Room of Love and Loss (and some things in between)
8–10 Mar, Fri–Sun 10am–10pm Gallery I and Visitor Services Foyer Free
The Room of Love and Loss (and some things in between) will feature a photo gallery of objects that are significant to members of the literary community and featured artists of Textures. Stop by for a peek at a snapshot of their world. Be sure to catch some of our favourite poets and performers provide a little poetic interlude in the Room. Osmosis Art collective Osmosis is a cross-disciplinary collaboration between poet Felix Cheong and musicians, Natalie Ng and Theemptybluesky (Mervin Wong). It weaves poetry about love and loss with reworked pieces from the classical music canon.
Cyril Wong Celebrated poet Cyril Wong reads and sings new and unpublished poems. Asnida Daud and Jeffrey Zauhari Asnida Daud and Jeffrey Zauhari perform a selection of poems by local Malaylanguage poets to guitar accompaniment.
QuoteUnQuote curated by Jason Wee 8–24 Mar, Fri–Sun 10am–10pm Gallery II Free
QuoteUnQuote is an art and design poster exhibition featuring memorable quotes from Singapore literature, designed by a new generation of talented designers, architects, and artists. Quotes are selected from some of most exciting new poetry, novels, and short stories published in Singapore. QuoteUnQuote posters of Singapore literature offer visual parallels and interpretations of current literary developments, while also highlighting the design possibilities in literary print publishing. 14
TALKS & PANEL DISCUSSIONS
Image by Karen Kon
Contemplations: Religion, Myth & History featuring Gwee Li Sui, Nuraliah Norasid and Krishna Udayasankar moderated by Desmond Kon Zhicheng-Mingdé 9 Mar, Sat | 11am–12pm Blue Room Free Register via theartshouse.peatix.com The first twenty participants each receives a complimentary journal with a
How does a poet or fictionist engage with history, myth or religion to create a great literary work? What of the author’s own belief or spirituality — how is that navigated along with art creation? What are the challenges and highlights of such intriguing work? Poet Desmond Kon Zhicheng-Mingdé facilitates this illuminating panel discussion, featuring eminent authors Gwee Li Sui, Nuraliah Norasid and Krishna Udayasankar.
limited-edition broadside. Programme Partner Desmond Kon Zhicheng-Mingdé From left: Gwee Li Sui, Nuraliah Norasid, Krishna Udayasankar and Desmond Kon Zhicheng-Mingdé 15
TALKS & PANEL DISCUSSIONS
在异乡响起的人生组曲: 外劳小说讲座 嘉宾：丁云 ，李选楼
主持人：黎康
A Tale of Two Cities: Stories about Migrant Workers in Singapore featuring Ding Yun and Lee Chuan Low moderated by Li Kang 9 Mar, Sat 2pm–4pm Blue Room Free Register via theartshouse.peatix.com 节目伙伴 新加坡文艺协会 Programme Partner Singapore Literature Society From left: Ding Yun, Lee Chuan Low and Li Kang
多年来，新加坡因国家建设和经济发展急需大量劳动 力。每天，有近156万外劳在岛上国工作。他们远离家 乡，暂别亲人，到陌生的异乡寻梦。其中，毎天进出关卡 的马国外劳也有 28万。异乡人寻梦的心态虽然各异，但 是为欲望所驱使，为求过美好的生活大体上是一致的。 他们在这里的生活和遭遇，是一系列由无奈、离别、相 思、思乡、欢乐、寂寞、苦闷、失落...组成的人生组曲。 李选楼、丁云的外劳小说，都各自反映了外劳在这里的 生活和心态。他们将与黎康，以对谈的方式，介绍异乡 人在国外寻梦的目的，生活和心态。外劳寻梦是我国社 会现实的一面，参与的族群不少，人数众多，且是个全 球性的问题。主办单位希望借此讲座，引起更多社会人 士的关注，并鼓励作家，以他们的生活为内容，写出更 多动人的作品。
Singapore’s rapid economic development in the past few decades has necessitated large amounts of labour. Every day, there are close to 1.5 million migrant workers labouring on our shores. They have left their homes and families, and travelled to a foreign land in search of better prospects. Even though their dispositions and stories are different, they are all motivated by a shared desire of securing a brighter future for their families. Their lives and encounters here are stories of helplessness, parting, lovesickness, homesickness, joy, loneliness, depression, and loss. Two local authors, Ding Yun and Lee Chuan Low, have documented their own experiences with various stories about migrant workers, whose dreams are interwoven 16
TALKS & PANEL DISCUSSIONS
with the realities of our society. This panel discussion, moderated by Li Kang, aims to raise awareness about the lives of migrant workers and encourage other writers to create moving stories about their trials and tribulations.
Turning Tide The Nusantara and The Spiritual Ripples in Malay Music 9 Mar, Sat 2pm–4pm Play Den Free Register via theartshouse.peatix.com Programme Partners Aqmal N and Dr Azhar Ibrahim
With the ebb of cultural nationalism in the 1970s, the Malay music scene saw a divergence into two disparate strands. On one hand, the resurgence of religion during the period saw the rise of dakwah nasyid – religious songs sung in modern rhythms and music arrangement. On the other hand, the Nusantara (Malay World) – also grew in prominence with singers and groups like Kopratasa and M Nasir. Today, a new kind of spiritual songs by musicians like M Sarip has overtaken those genres in popularity. By learning about the shifting popularity of musical genres, audiences will gain a deeper understanding of how Malay culture has evolved across the decades.
Excuse Me, Are You A Writer? featuring Gerrie Lim and Cyril Wong moderated by Jason Wee 9 Mar, Sat | 5pm–6pm Blue Room Free Register via theartshouse.peatix.com Programme Partner Jason Wee
Creative non-fiction writing in Singapore gained popularity in the 1990s with titles such the bestselling Excuse Me, Are You A Model? and Discuss Disgust by Bonny Hicks, as well as her Straits Times column The Bonny Hicks Diary. This panel explores the influence of writers such as Bonny Hicks and Goh Poh Seng on the development of the memoir and autofiction, and the history of these forms in Singapore as ‘minor’ literatures. 17
TALKS & PANEL DISCUSSIONS
一起探索和发现：绘本的美好与力量 Discovering the Power and Beauty of Illustrated Books 嘉宾 小邝 10 Mar, Sun 1pm–2pm Screening Room Free Register via theartshouse.peatix.com Conducted in Mandarin
facilitated by Ace Khong 本地绘本作家小邝老师将在这个分享活动中，通过各 种不同形式的分类绘本，让老师、家长和同学们能学习 到如何有趣地进行绘本导读与分享；如何引发学生们 的深入思考与交流，进而了解到他们内心世界的想法 和观点。 绘本特别适合亲子共读和互动讨论；通过小邝老师的 分享，大家也可以从中学习到如何探索和欣赏蕴藏在 绘本里的创意与内涵，以及那些在绘本里精心有趣的 图文编排与设计。 Showcasing a variety of illustrated books, local author and illustrator Ace Khong will take parents, teachers and kids on a journey through the power and beauty of illustrated books. He will shed light on the creative and imaginative aspects of illustrated books, the relationship between text and image, and how illustrated books can spark conversations between adults and children. 18
TALKS & PANEL DISCUSSIONS
Will Singaporeans Ever Be Happy? featuring Daniel Fung, Danielle Lim, Haresh Sharma moderated by Edith Podesta 10 Mar, Sun | 2pm–3pm Blue Room | Free Register via theartshouse.peatix.com From left: Daniel Fung, Danielle Lim,
Living in an age of instant gratification, digital dependance, and increasingly erratic states of mental health, can 21st century Singaporeans truly be happy and content with our lives? Featuring Daniel Fung, Danielle Lim, Haresh Sharma, and moderated by Edith Podesta, this panel brings together writers from theatre, fiction and non-fiction to discuss our state of happiness.
Haresh Sharma and Edith Podesta
Adapting the Page featuring Adeeb Fazah, Kamini Ramachandran, Tse Hao Guang and Bryan Angelo Lim moderated by Daryl Qilin Yam
10 Mar, Sun | 5pm–6pm Blue Room | Free Register via theartshouse.peatix.com From left: Adeeb Fazah, Kamini
Join Textures featured artists Adeeb Fazah, Kamini Ramachandran, Tse Hao Guang and Bryan Angelo Lim as they discuss the process of adapting and transferring the written word to other mediums including theatre, storytelling and visual art. This panel will be moderated by Daryl Qilin Yam.
Ramachandran, Daryl Qilin Yam, Tse Hao Guang and Bryan Angelo Lim
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WORKSHOPS
Editorial Consultations
8–10 Mar, Fri–Sun Various Timings Council Room & Blue Room Applications are now closed. These sessions are for selected participants only.
The editorial consultations target writers who are working on manuscripts with the intention to publish. From December 2018 to January 2019, writers were invited to submit their work for these consultations, and selected participants will receive a 30-minute one-to-one consultation with an established editor. Manuscripts for poetry, fiction, non-fiction and graphic novels were accepted by publishers Math Paper Press, Ethos Books, Marshall Cavendish International (Asia) and COSH.
Safe Space Stories Image courtesy of StoryFest
9 Mar 1pm–4pm Council Room $10 theartshouse.peatix.com
facilitated by Paul Rozario-Falcone Safe Space Stories uses the Amherst Writers & Artists method to create an affirming, supportive writing group. Using prompts based on love and loss and some things in between, this Safe Space Stories workshop lets you write and share short pieces that come from your memories and imagination. Listen with your heart to the new stories created. Make space for yourself, your words, and your voice with Safe Space Stories.
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WORKSHOPS
Bullet Journaling Workshop facilitated by Stephtcreates
9 Mar, Sat 5pm–6.30pm Council Room $50 theartshouse.peatix.com Basic materials provided
Bullet journaling is not just about making pretty lists and elaborated decorated pages. It is about practicing mindfulness and focus. Stephanie Tan aka Stephtcreates takes you through the basics of bullet journaling, how to get started and how to aspiring and established writers can use it for their creative process. This workshop is designed for beginners and will cover the following topics: � � � � � � � �
Concept of Bullet Journaling Lifestyle Journaling Creative Presentation Suitable Tools & Materials Fixing of mistakes Sample layouts Journaling Prompts Hands-on session
Each participant will bring home a basic dotted notebook and an ink pen; and will also be provided with some sharing materials for the hands-on session. Participants also have the option to top up $35 more to receive a Leuchtturm1917 A5 Hard Cover Dotted Notebook with name embossing (up to 18 characters, total value worth $52) instead, as the recommended notebook for bullet journaling. Partipants may print along photos and other decorative items. If you bring your existing planners, Stephanie will work with you on migrating it into the bullet journal system. 21
WORKSHOPS
Illustrating SingLit Bootcamp 10 Mar, Sun 11am–1pm Living Room $15 theartshouse.peatix.com Programme Partner AsiaPac Books
After 2018’s successful run of Illustrating SingLit workshops, the Illustrating SingLit Bootcamp is an extended workshop that will feature both written and illustrated elements. SingLit is an important source of inspiration for our local creative and arts industry. Part literary appreciation, part art jamming, the bootcamp will help readers learn about the rich variety of SingLit and how they can engage more deeply with it in creative practice. Participants will be able to create and present their own SingLit-inspired works with hands-on guidance from local literary talents.
Habits of Creativity Exploring Writing Methods Workshop facilitated by Desmond Kon Zhicheng-Mingdé Image by Karen Kon
10 Mar, Sun 2pm–4pm Council Room $10 theartshouse.peatix.com The first 15 participants each receives a complimentary copy of the book.
How do you generate new ideas for your writing? Are there established methods out there? How does one go about carving out one’s own creative process and remain disciplined? In this workshop, poet Desmond Kon Zhicheng-Mingdé invites both emerging and established practitioners to discuss their own effective writing habits and processes. The writing segment will have participants engaging with Desmond’s book of creative prompts, The World According to Ms Erasure. 22
WORKSHOPS
Creating Collaborative Comics facilitated by James Tan 10 Mar, Sun 3.30pm–6pm Living Room $10 theartshouse.peatix.com
Come have fun creating collaborative comics in this workshop that will get those creative juices flowing as you collaborate with others to create a fourpage comic based on the theme of “Love and Loss”. Participants will have a limited time to complete each page before it is passed to the next person who will continue the comic.
Materials will be provided Basic drawing skills are required
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FOR KIDS!
Tamil Storytelling for Children facilitated by The Association of Tamil Writers 9 Mar, Sat 10am–12pm Living Room Free Register via theartshouse.peatix.com This session will be held in Tamil
நம் உலகம் க்க கதைகள்! இந்த தன ித் வமான பட்டறைய ில், நடவ க்கைகள் மற் ம் பய ிற்ச ிகள் லம் தங்கள் ச�ொந்த அ பவங்களை அ ப்படையாகக் க�ொண்ட கதைகளைக் ழந்தைகள் கற் க் க�ொள்வார்கள்.
The world is full of stories! In this unique workshop, children will learn to perform a story in Tamil based on their own experiences through guided activities and exercises.
Comics Workshop for Kids facilitated by James Tan
10 Mar, Sun 10.30am–12pm Council Room $10
This workshop introduces kids to basic comic creation as they learn basic concepts of comics – from simple facial expressions to understanding speech bubbles and comic panels – before having fun creating their very own comic based on a specific theme.
theartshouse.peatix.com Recommended for kids aged 7-12 Materials will be provided
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FOR KIDS!
伴随绘本: 进入孩子们多彩的内心世界 The Colourful World of Children Picture Books 嘉宾 小邝 10 Mar, Sun 11am–12pm Screening Room Free Register via theartshouse.peatix.com Performed in Mandarin
by Ace Khong
本地绘本作家小邝老师将会为孩子们导读他最新创作 的儿童绘本系列；这套儿童绘本是以孩子们的视角和 观感创作的，小邝老师在分享绘本的过程中，将会和 孩子们一起探讨和交流; 包括如何正面应对他们的生 活与学习中，可能会遇到的一些烦恼和问题。同时，也 将引领着大家一起进入充满想象力且多彩有趣的绘本 世界里。通过这次活动, 孩子们将会了解更多关于绘本 创作的知识和窍门。
In this storytelling session for children, local author and illustrator Ace Khong will take kids on a journey through his latest series of illustrated books which explore daily life and school experiences that they can relate to. This fun-filled and imaginative session will include interactive activities and games that promise to delight the little ones.
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OTHERS
#BuySingLit Book Bazaar 8–10 Mar, Fri–Sun Gallery I | Free
The #BuySingLit Book Bazaar is back after two successful runs at Gillman Barracks and The Arts House! Organised by the Singapore Book Publishers Association this year, the bazaar showcases the best in the local publishing scene and features established and independent literary content makers. The participating exhibitors include BooksActually, Epigram, Ethos Books, ilovereading.sg, Marshall Cavendish International (Asia), Pansing, Pustaka Nasional, World Scientific Publishing, Shogakukan Asia and National Gallery Singapore.
Child Labour by Proletariat Poetry Factory
8 Mar, Fri | 6pm–10pm 9 Mar, Sat | 6pm–9pm 10 Mar, Sun | 5pm–8pm Porch Free
The Proletariat Poetry Factory returns to Textures with the “Child Labour” edition! Drop by and place an order for a free personalised poem, which will be composed on the spot. If you’re lucky, you might even get a poem written by the Factory’s youngest workers.
Open to all ages
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ABOUT
About The Arts House
Occupying the almost 200-year-old building that was home to Singapore’s first parliament, The Arts House continues in the distinguished tradition of this gazetted national monument and now plays a key role in the country’s arts and creative scene. The Arts House at the Old Parliament, as it is affectionately referred to, promotes and presents multidisciplinary programmes and festivals within its elegant spaces. It focuses in particular on the literary arts, celebrating the works of written and spoken word artists from Singapore and beyond. The Arts House is run and managed by Arts House Limited. For more information, visit theartshouse.sg.
About #BuySingLit is an industry-led movement to celebrate stories from #BuySingLit Singapore. Advocating ‘Buy Local, Read Our World’, homegrown
book publishers, retailers and literary non-profits have come together to encourage more people to discover and embrace Singapore’s literature. Through buying and reading local works, you support the writers who bear witness to our lives, as well as the businesses in our community that deliver these stories to us. Most of all, you will experience the profound joy of unravelling the multi-faceted world around you.
About Arts House Limited
Arts House Limited (AHL) is a not-for-profit organisation committed to enriching lives through the arts. AHL manages two key landmarks located in the heart of Singapore’s Civic District – The Arts House, a multi-disciplinary arts centre with a focus on literary programming, and the Victoria Theatre & Victoria Concert Hall, a heritage building that is home to the Singapore Symphony Orchestra. It also runs the Goodman Arts Centre and Aliwal Arts Centre, two creative enclaves for artists, arts groups and creative businesses, and performing arts space Drama Centre. AHL presents the Singapore International Festival of Arts, the annual pinnacle celebration of performance and interdisciplinary arts in Singapore commissioned by the National Arts Council. AHL was set up in 11 Dec 2002 as a company limited by guarantee (CLG) under the National Arts Council and was formerly known as The Old Parliament House Limited. It was officially renamed Arts House Limited on 19 Mar 2014.
All information is correct at the time of print. Every reasonable care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of information within, hence, Arts House Limited (AHL) cannot accept responsibility for errors and/or omissions however caused. Every effort has been made to identify copyright holders. We deeply regret that if, despite our concerted efforts, any copyright holders have been overlooked or omitted. Opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the editor or the official policy and position of AHL and their related corporations. Any reproduction, retransmission, republication, or other use of all or part of this publication is expressly prohibited, unless prior written permission has been granted by AHL or the appropriate copyright owner. AHL reserves the right to make changes and modifications to the programme without prior notice. For updates, please visit our website at theartshouse.sg.
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SAVE THE DATE
A weekend of programmes in celebration of National Day 16–18 Aug 2019 Fri–Sun The Arts House Follow us theartshouse | #luminationsg
LumiNation returns for its second edition to uncover Singapore’s hidden stories, through the lens of written and spoken narratives. This weekend of programmes invites audiences to rediscover and reconnect with the complexities of the ‘Singaporean identity’, strengthening the belief that we are always more than just a little red dot. 28
DEAR AUTHOR
Dear
Yours sincerely,
DEAR AUTHOR
Dear Author Daily 10am-10pm Visitor Services Foyer Free
Ever read a book by a local author that made your day? Here’s the perfect opportunity to thank him or her for spending many sleepless nights working for your reading pleasure. Write a piece of fan mail and drop it into the mailbox at the Visitor Services Counter, and we will deliver it to your favourite living author. From 7–10 March, by showing this card to The Arts House Visitor Services Counter staff, you stand a chance* to receive a $10 #BuySingLit voucher – a perfect excuse to buy that book you’ve always wanted. *First-come-first-served, while stocks last.