Educational Kit: Realm of Silk by Sougwen Chung (CA)

REALM OF SILK

by Sougwen Chung (CA)

EDUCATIONAL KIT

For ages 13 and up

20 MAY, SAT, 3PM & 8PM VICTORIA THEATRE

REALM OF SILK

HOW TO USE THIS KIT

This kit is designed for deeper engagement and discussion with the SIFA programme. Divided into 4 sections, it comes with guiding questions, suggested activities and links for further exploration on the subject and themes presented in the show:

Nature and technology inspire each other in this multidisciplinary performance inspired by silkworms and algorithms.

A one-of-a-kind performance which intersects the worlds of visual art, performance and technology, Realm of Silk is an investigation of the collaborative potential of human and robot. The delicate art of the hand-drawn line is combined with different types of algorithms, inspired by the beauty of silk and the natural, complex art of the silkworm, whose silk embodies the potential for transformation and metamorphosis, just like technology.

Realm of Silk is a collaboration with Singapore’s master cellist Leslie Tan. Performing live music, the string music opens new aesthetic dimensions in response to Sougwen’s newest creation, which sees its world premiere at SIFA 2023.

Questions to think about while watching the show

A reflective exercise to jot down thoughts

BEFORE THE SHOW DURING THE SHOW AFTER THE SHOW POST-SHOW ACTIVITY

For further exploration on the subject, topic or themes

HUMANS AND MACHINES

Before machines were invented, humans used to work with their hands and tools, which was a manually intensive process. With the invention of the steam engine and machines, the world saw a shift in the way humans work where suddenly, whole industries were created, and things could be mass-produced within a short amount of time.

This shift, which started out in Britain, soon spread around the world, and became known as the First and Second Industrial Revolutions.

LET’S READ A LITTLE MORE ABOUT THEM HERE:

What have you learned about the two industrial revolutions from the above? Try summarising it in the table below: 1

WHAT I HAVE LEARNED

3 key things that defined the two industrial revolutions are…

One main effect of the two industrial revolutions was…

The two industrial revolutions are about…

Imagine you are living in the period before machines were invented – what would your life be like? Compare that to your current lifestyle – how different or similar would that be? 2

Life before machines were invented would probably be like…

If I were to compare life before machines were invented and my life right now…

The similarities are…

The differences are…

If you could use one phrase to describe humans’ relationship with machines, what would that be and why? 3

THE THIRD AND FOURTH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION

Since the First and Second Industrial Revolution back in the 18th century, the world has come a long way in using and improving on the use of machines in our everyday lives.

In fact, technology has improved so much that a Third Industrial Revolution and a new Fourth Industrial Revolution is taking place in the world, where technology is playing a much larger role in our lives.

to find out more:

Click or Scan here

In what ways do you see the Third and Fourth Industrial Revolutions occurring in your life? List down some examples here:

Let’s go back to Klaus Schwab, who first introduced the vision of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and take some time to read the article he wrote about it:

In your opinion, what is one advantage and disadvantage of the world moving towards the Fourth Industrial Revolution? How do you think it impacts your life?

Advantages

The Fourth Industrial Revolution impacts my life in…

What is the Fourth Industrial Revolution? | CNBC Explains

The Fourth Industrial Revolution: what it means, how to respond

Disadvantages

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the way we live, and it has already been adopted in many aspects of our lives, from algorithms that track our internet habits to chatbots that help answer our queries online.

What do you understand about Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how it works? Have a quick discussion with your friend and jot down your thoughts:

to see how AI has the potential to change the world we live in: Click or Scan here

How will AI change the world?

How does this make you feel? Does this change any of your initial thoughts about what AI is, and can do?

DRAWING WITH MACHINES AND TECHNOLOGY

We have learned that machines can help humans work faster and more productively. What about more creative processes such as drawing – how can humans work with machines on that?

Artist Sougwen Chung is very much interested to find out the relationship between humans, machines, and technology in her art practice.

LET’S HEAR WHAT SHE HAS TO SAY:

Why I draw with robots |

Sougwen Chung

NOW, WATCH WHAT SOUGWEN CHUNG HAS TO SAY

about humans collaborating with machines:

What do you think Sougwen Chung wanted to explore in her art practice, working with machines and technology? What did she realise in the process of her work and art practice?

A.I.V.I.: Sougwen Chung on human and machine collaboration

What are your thoughts about the relationship between humans, machines and technology? Are they independent of each other, or do you think they are closely related? Have a discussion with your friends and note down your points here:

READ THESE QUESTIONS CAREFULLY

before the performance starts, and remember to pay close attention while you are watching so you do not miss out on any details:

Observe the set-up of the stage at the start of the performance. 1

What do you notice? What are the objects and machines being used on stage, and how are they placed and used?

Take note of the visual display in the background, and how it works with the music, lighting, and other visual effects of the performance.

What kind of atmosphere or mood does it create, and how does that make you feel?

4 5 2

Describe how technology is being used in this performance. 3

In what ways does it remind you of what you have learned so far about humans, machines, and technology?

Realm of Silk focuses on the motif of a silkworm and the various stages a silkworm goes through, starting from a larva to its adulthood, weaving, forming a chrysalis and final metamorphosis into a butterfly.

What connections can you draw between the life cycle of a silkworm and the way it weaves, with the way humans create art and draw here in this performance?

What is your understanding now of how art and technology can come together and collaborate in this performance?

How did Realm of Silk show you the relationship between art, nature/human, machines, and technology?

NOW THAT THE PERFORMANCE IS OVER,

Write down what you have noticed to answer the questions above, or a simple reflection of your thoughts about the performance:

to see how Singapore has been using technology to build a sustainably smart city:

How we design and build a smart city and nation | Cheong Koon Hean | TEDxSingapore

Looking at how technology can be adopted for sustainable living, how do you think artificial intelligence (AI) can be harnessed to better the lives of people, systems, and environments?

CHECK OUT THIS VIDEO WATCH THIS CLIP

to find out Singapore’s AI strategy:

Singapore’s human-centric artificial intelligence strategy

| The Straits Times

Now, get together with your friends and think of an area in your life in which artificial intelligence can be used for the greater good, and share your ideas with each other!

Use the guide below with five suggested areas listed out to help you brainstorm:

TRANSPORT AND LOGISTICS HEALTHCARE

SMART CITIES AND ESTATES

SAFETY AND SECURITY

AS A SMALL NATION WITH LIMITED LAND MASS, THE PLANNING OF SINGAPORE’S LIVING SPACES IS A CHALLENGING TASK.

ALGORITHM

A set of mathematical instructions or rules given to a computer that will help to calculate an answer to a problem

MASS-PRODUCED

Using machines in a factory to produce cheaply and in large numbers

The stage where a moth or a butterfly is covered by a hard case, before it turns into an adult insect

The form of an insect that has left its egg but not yet developed into a pupa or an adult insect

The process by which the young form of insects develops into adult form

WORDS THAT MIGHT INTEREST YOU FOR FURTHER EXPLORATION

An idea that appears repeatedly in the work of an artist, a piece of writing or music

Seeing DoubleBridging Dualities with Relational Intelligence

by Sougwen 愫君 Chung

Sougwen Chung Leslie Tan (T’ang Quartet)

Singapore International Festival of Arts (SIFA)

As Singapore’s annual pinnacle performing arts festival, the Singapore International Festival of Arts (SIFA) presents captivating and diverse works across theatre, music, dance, film and visual arts. First launched as the Singapore Festival of Arts in 1977, the festival has gone through several evolutions and inspired generations of arts lovers and practitioners.

Under the helm of Festival Director Natalie Hennedige from 2022 to 2024, SIFA will focus on performance and creation in the physical and online space, around the theme The Anatomy of Performance.

Today, the highly anticipated festival is a high point on Singapore’s arts and cultural calendar. SIFA continues its festival mission to champion the creation and presentation of Singaporean and international works.

#SIFA2023

We can’t wait to welcome you at SIFA. Share with the world (and us!) what you are most excited to see at this year’s festival, or your photos and videos of your favourite SIFA festival moment.

Arts House Limited (AHL)

Arts House Limited (AHL) is a not-for-profit organisation committed to enriching lives through the arts. AHL is the cultural place manager of Singapore’s Civic District. It manages two key national monuments – The Arts House, a multidisciplinary 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 performing arts space Drama Centre as well as three creative enclaves for artists, arts groups and creative businesses – the Goodman Arts Centre, Aliwal Arts Centre and Stamford Arts Centre.

AHL organises the Singapore International Festival of Arts – an annual pinnacle performing arts festival; as well as the Singapore Writers Festival –a multilingual festival presenting the world’s leading literary talents.

In addition, AHL manages Our Cultural Medallion Story – the showcase on Singapore’s Cultural Medallion recipients at The Arts House. AHL was set up in 11 December 2002 as a public company limited by guarantee under the National Arts Council and was officially renamed Arts House Limited on 19 March 2014.

For more information, visit artshouselimited.sg

TICKETING INFO FOR SCHOOL BOOKINGS

Engage your students in the arts at SIFA with our special deals for schools.

CONCESSIONS

SIFA offers 15%* off ticket purchases to local and international students.

*Applicable to selected ticket categories and programmes

TOTE BOARD ARTS GRANT

For selected programmes, government schools may enjoy subsidies up to 50% of the ticket price. Applicable for Secondary Schools, Junior Colleges, Centralised Institute and Institute of Technical Educations (ITE) levels.

Special Education Schools may use the Tote Board Arts Grant to subsidise up to 70% of the programme cost. For more details on school bookings or Tote Board Arts Grant, please email sifatickets@artshouse.sg

SCHOOL BOOKING DEALS

For every 20 students tickets purchased, 1x complimentary ticket provided for the teacher.

CONTACT US

For further enquiries on programmes or education kits, please contact meganlee@artshouse.sg

For group bookings, please contact sifatickets@artshouse.sg

To read more about the Tote Board Arts Grant, visit tinyurl.com/nac-Tote-Board-Arts-Grant

For more information on the festival, visit sifa.sg