creative [SIN]ergy Launch

Members of creative [SIN]ergy gathered on Saturday 30th May for an afternoon of champagne and socialising at The Building Centre on Store Street in London to celebrate the launch of the network. Limited edition tote bags were given out to commemorate the event. These tote bags were designed by BRICK for creative [SIN]ergy. Fabric crayons were included for guest to customise their tote bags with their own creative expression.
BRICK for creative [SIN]ergy

Short Circuit - London [poster]

Designed by creative [SIN]ergy member David Lee

Sarah Cai exhibits at Free Range 2009

Free Range 2009 SHOWS

Sarah Cai exhibits at the 9th annual Free Range at The Old Truman Brewery, London. This is Europe's largest graduate art and design show with FREE ADMISSION! This is the hottest way to discover new creative talent. Over the eight week period, thousands of students from the UK's top art and design colleges will exhibit their work, giving you the perfect opportunity to talent scout for the next Tracey Emin or Rankin. Free Range was set up to showcase the works of budding designers and artists to both public and potential employers alike, giving students the best opportunity to promote their work. Each year the show has increased in size and popularity, making it a destination point for thousands of Londoners and lovers of visual arts. Over 150,000 people visited this free-entry show last year, putting it in the same league as one from say, The Royal Academy of Arts or the Victoria & Albert Museum. In addition to the events, the work of thousands of exhibitors is showcased in the official Free Range catalogue and website.

TWO THIRDS Opening Night: Thurs 28 May/ Show: Fri 29 May - Mon 1 June

Opening Nights: Thursdays 6pm-10pm

Show Days: Fridays to Mondays 10am-7pm

Venue: The Old Truman Brewery, 91 Brick Lane, London E1 6QL

Short Circuit - London Logo Revealed

Designed by creative [SIN]ergy member David Lee

SHOWCASE: Kok-Chian Leong

Kok-Chian Leong joined Seymourpowell after graduating from the Royal College of Art. His work has been exhibited in California, Taipei and Singapore.

Prior to that, he has spent 10 years as a senior consultant for General Electric and Fitch’s industrial design studios in Singapore, Shanghai and Taipei. He has travelled and worked extensively in the Far East with clients like Hewlett-Packard, Dell, Hannspree, Lenovo, Hisense, Sany Heavy Construction, HTC, Motorola, Microsoft, Sun Microsystems and World Kitchen.

At Seymourpowell, Kok-Chian has been the lead designer in the development of a train driver’s cabin, working on specifics set out by an undisclosed client. He has also worked on FMCG (fast moving consumer goods) products ranging from deodorants to aerosol sprays. He is currently designing food products.

In 2008, two of his research work is selected and published in the book Digital by Design, edited by Troika (Thames and Hudson)


Name: Kok-Chian Leong
Location: London, UK
Website: www.kokchian.com
Contact: click here

Call For Participation in the DesignSingapore Design2050 Studios

Role of Studio Coordinator
10. The responsibilities of the Studio Coordinator include, but are not limited to:
I. Participate at every team meeting and assist the Studio Master in running the Studio
II. Coordinate the participation of Studio Master, team members and any potential partners identified by Studio Master
III. Manage the project to ensure quality and timely delivery
IV. Oversee the execution of the approved project workplan
V. Coordinate and liaise with team and DesignSingapore appointed project manager for all matters concerning the presentation
VI. Coordinate and liaise with the team on all matters concerning the presentation
VII. Manage the timeline and given budget, track expenditure with
regular budget reports to DesignSingapore
VIII. Document project meetings and discussions with photo, video, detailed notes (and other channels as necessary) and submit to DesignSingapore after each session
IX. Submit a full report within 1 month of project termination

11. Minimum qualification and experience requirements are as follow:

I. Degree or diploma in design or design management

II. Experience in project management

III. Strong written and verbal communication skills

IV. Strong analytical, organizational and interpersonal skills

V. Able to meet tight deadlines and work under pressure

VI. Good team player

VII. Resourceful and self-motivated

Terms and Conditions
12. All applicants must be Singapore Citizens or Singapore Permanent Residents, and deemed to have accepted the following terms and conditions when they submit their application:

a. Short-listed applicants should be available for a short interview with the selection panel, consisting of DesignSingapore Management and Board members. Also refer to Paragraph 15.

b. Applicants will be responsible for the safe and timely delivery of submission materials.

c. An official letter with the full terms of reference will be provided to successful applicants. The studio is expected to commence immediately.

d. DesignSingapore Council as the Commissioner of the Design2050 Studios reserves the right to disqualify any incomplete entries. Please check your submissions carefully.

Application Process
13. The submission format for interested Studio Coordinators is as follows:

A Curriculum Vitae
Interested candidates are to submit their CV as a soft-copy attachment by email to charlotte_chin@mica.gov.sg with the subject heading: Participation in the Design2050 as Studio Coordinator

I. CV to be either a Word document (.doc) or Acrobat document (.pdf)

II. Candidates are free to design the layout of their CV, simplicity is appreciated

III. An email confirmation of submission will be sent within 5 days of receipt

IV. There is no need to send a printed copy

V. Your CV should include:

• Basic bio-data: name, date of birth, citizenship
• List of educational qualifications, with grades of tertiary qualifications or equivalent where applicable
• Complete employment history, with annotations on significant appointments
• Significant or notable achievements (including but not limited to design-related activities or media)
• Travel, hobbies and interests
• Contact information: email, phone numbers, mailing address
• Name and contact information including email of 2 referees

B Design Portfolio
Design portfolio in digital format in any of the following ways: PDF, no larger than 2MB, link to website showcase or via CD/DVD. If submitting a CD/DVD, please enclose both hard and softcopy of your CV in the package. The package should be addressed as detailed below, to be received by the deadline. Please allow adequate time for postage.

C Future Scenario 2050 Essay
Essay on a future scenario for the year 2050. Select one aspect of life and how design can drive change in a practical way, in order to achieve this scenario. To be attached as soft copy, maximum length of 2 A4 double-sided pages, double-spaced in 12 pt Arial.

14. It will be the responsibility of the applicant to ensure delivery to the DesignSingapore Office by 22 June 2009. The Government shall not be held responsible for putting proposals received through the post to the Office by the closing time and date. Every effort, however, will be made by the Government to promptly convey proposals received through the post to the Office. Postage must be pre-paid on all proposal sent through the post

15. Shortlisted candidates will be notified via e-mail by 30 June 2009 and called for an interview which includes a short powerpoint presentation of your essay on "Future Scenario 2050", complete an official application form, and submit certified copies of supporting documents. Selected works from candidates' portfolio should be made available at the interview.

16. For enquiries, please contact:

Ms Charlotte Chin
Manager
Design Capability Development
DesignSingapore Council
Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts
140 Hill Street, 5th Storey MICA Building
Singapore 179369
charlotte_chin@mica.gov.sg
DID : +65 6837 79434

17. The call is open from 9 June and will close on 21 June 2359hrs.

Click here for more information about Design2050 Studios

Mona Choo exbitibts at Untitled Artist Fair

creative [SIN]ergy member Mona Choo exhibits at Untitled Artist Fair at stand number C18. Untitled is the UK's Largest Artists Fair Annually Exhibits as many as 17O Artists Selling Direct and Commission Free. Founded & owned by an Artist, Untitled continues to offer Clients the very best selection of Artworks. No Galleries or Agents are permitted therefore 1OO% of all sales income goes directly to the Artist, offering and encouraging clients to make directly informed and greatly discounted purchases.

Free Admission 2OO9
Friday 29h May - 5.3Opm - 9pm - Private View Champagne Reception
Saturday 3Oth May - 1Oam - 7pm - Free Public Access
Sunday 31st May - 11am - 5pm - Free Public Access

Apply for Private View Tickets
Download Free Tickets

Mohyin Kwan featured in Summer Exhibition

Creative [SIN]ergy member, Mohyin Kwan will be featured at SW1 Gallery as part of Westminster Adult Education Service (WAES) Summer Exhibition 2009.

She will be exhibiting 4 arts works in the media of glass all designed and made by her. These sculpture pieces are entitled 'Splash', 'Trapped', 'Resting' and a jewellery piece call 'peek-a-boo'.


SW1 Gallery
12 Cardinal Walk
Roof Garden Level
Cardinal Place (off Victoria Street)
London SW1E 5JE

Free Entry
10am - 4pm
Wednesday 3 June - Saturday 6 June 2009

Eliza Tan curates 7.9 Cubic Metres

creative [SIN]ergy member Eliza Tan curates 7.9 Cubic Metres, a free-standing structure within Stanley Picker Gallery, London. 7.9 Cubic Metres operates as an autonomous gallery within the public gallery. A project initiated by the artist James Carrigan. Through the development of a series of 12 exhibitions throughout 2009-10, the gallery and its archive will be returned to the artist as a fully-formed artwork, in and of itself.

Private View: May 27th 6.30 - 8.30pm

7.9 Cubic Metres - The Turning runs from May 27 - June 17 2009
Fri 12pm - 6pm, Sat 12pm - 4pm, Mon - Thurs by appointment (02084174074)
Stanley Picker Gallery
Faculty of Art, Design & Architecture
Kingston University, Knights Park
Kingston upon Thames, KT1 2QJ


7.9 Cubic Metres explores the gallery as a culturally charged and symbolically loaded site. It queries the process whereby cultural material acquires a given object status when it is validated, received and con sumed within a white cube. The shifting roles which artists, curators, institutions and their audiences play in defining the nature, positioning and value of art within and beyond the gallery walls, as well as practices of collaborative cultural production further come under scrutiny.

Matthew MacKisack’s work examines the ideological and subjective conditions under which the meaning and experience of objects or situations arise from the productive imagination. MacKisack’s presentations take the form of various media. He combines field recordings with sculptural or symbolic objects, video installations and performative writing. His piece for 7.9 Cubic Metres, The Turning (2008), investigates the ‘sacrimental nature’ of the white cube in relation to cinematic and religious experience.

7.9 Cubic Metres Call for Artists’ Proposals

About 7.9 Cubic Metres

7.9 Cubic Metres is a free-standing structure within Stanley Picker Gallery, London.

7.9 Cubic Metres operates as an autonomous gallery within the public gallery. A project initiated by the artist James Carrigan, the space will be independently curated by Eliza Tan.

Through the development of a series of 12 exhibitions throughout 2009-10, the gallery and its archive will be returned to the artist as a fully-formed artwork, in and of itself.

7.9 Cubic Metres explores the gallery as a culturally charged and symbolically loaded site. It queries the process whereby cultural material acquires a given object status when it is validated, received and con sumed within a white cube. The shifting roles which artists, curators, institutions and their audiences play in defining the nature, positioning and value of art within and beyond the gallery walls, as well as practices of collaborative cultural production further come under scrutiny.

Submissions:

The curator is now accepting proposals from artists practicing both in the UK and abroad, which respond to any one of the project’s 4 exhibition components throughout the year.

1st Quarter, Apr – Jul 09 2nd Quarter, Jul – Oct 09
Voids, Corners, Plentifolds SLASH: Artist/Curator/Artist?

3rd Quarter, Oct 09 – Dec 09 4th Quarter, Jan – Apr 10
Disembodying the Who Warehouse A-Z

Download an outline of the 4 exhibition components here: www.stanleypickergallery.org

Email the following (Max. total file size 1.5mb) to e.tan@kingston.ac.uk

1. Exhibition proposal (Single page, A4 PDF)

2. Image or video samples of proposed work and/or the previous works

3. Artist’s CV, including contact details and website, if any.

FIRST SUBMISSIONS DEADLINE, for works to be exhibited within the 1st Quarter: Wednesday April 1st.

Proposals for works to be exhibited during the subsequent 2nd, 3rd & 4th quarters are welcome anytime and will be received on an on-going basis.

Works may be already completed or newly proposed.

For details & full submission guidelines see: www.stanleypickergallery.org

creative [SIN]ergy Launch Party

Come celebrate the launch of creative [SIN]ergy.
Join us for an afternoon of champagne and socialising with other creative [SIN]ergy members at The Building Centre.

Also take the opportunity to check out the exhibits London Yields: Urban Agriculture

Saturday 30th May 2009
2.00pm - 5.00pm

The Building Centre
Store Street
London, WC1E 7BT

This event is free to attend for creative [SIN]ergy members, however RSVP is essential. Please RSVP no later then 12pm, 29th May 2009, to info@creativesinergy.com

Don't forget to grab your limited edition tote bags while stocks last.
Designed by Brian Chia for creative [SIN]ergy.

Location map

Erika Tan featured in Found & Lost

Found & Lost

Sookoon Ang, Cheong Kah Kit, Khiew Huey Chian, Charles Lim, Matthew Ngui, Shubigi Rao, Erika Tan, and Ian Woo

Curated by Guo-Liang Tan

Found & Lost features the works of eight Singapore artists concerned with questions of representation in relation to the act of drawing. The exhibition serves as an extension of the ideas explored in Aversions, a drawing publication project in which the artists explore and respond to the boundaries of drawing within their own artistic practices, delving into issues such as peripheral vision, perpetual delay, the impossibility of the image, and the fragmentation of language and memory in relation to the act of drawing.

As a parallel exhibition, Found & Lost continues along and beyond the initial line of enquiry into the nature of visual representation. Many of the works move between the act of observation (looking at) and that of introspection (looking for), proposing a correlation between the visible and the invisible in the way meaning is constantly being interrupted and negotiated by shifts in perception.

Opening reception and launch of Aversions on
Friday 22 May 2009, 6:00pm

Exhibition runs from 23.05.2009 to 12.07.2009

Osage Singapore
11B Mt Sophia, #01-12, Singapore 228466
Mon-Sun and Public Holidays : 10:00 am - 7:00 pm

Lilia Yip exhibits at Future Fashion Now

creative [SIN]ergy member Lilia Yip exhibits at Future Fashion Now at the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) in London from this Friday 22 May. It features designs from selected RCA fashion graduates and breaks down the design process into Concept, Form Technique and Detail.

Future Fashion Now: New Design from the Royal College of Art
22 May 2009 - 31 January 2010
Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A)
Cromwell Road, London SW7 2RL
Fashion, Room 40
Free admission

SHOWCASE: Holly Pereira

Holly Pereira graduated from the National College of Art and Design in Dublin, Ireland in 2004, with an Honours Degree in Fine Art.

She has exhibited in many group shows, most notably in ArtHouse and Project in Temple Bar, Dublin.

In May 2008 she also held her first solo exhibition in Monstertruck Gallery, Francis St, Dublin 8, entitled Kin. This was a series of portraits of the women in her family, and dealt with themes of migration, history and commemoration. By closely studying family features of deceased relatives (using old photographs) she strove to find a semblance; a vein of likeness. Thus recreating the photographed portraits on canvas brought about some kind of meditation on her own familial identity: she was looking for a sense of kin.

In December 2008 she exhibited work in Little India, Singapore, which was the culmination of a three month artist’s residency there. The work Same Same but Different (painting and drawing) that she made there was a response to her re-familiarization with all things Singaporean. Having grown up Asian in aspect, but Western in mindset, in Singapore she began to realise the full extent of what it means, to her, to be “Eurasian”. The exploration of the conflict of cultures in her work is a major theme and essentially the impetus to keep producing art.

Name: Holly Pereira
Location: Dublin, UK
Website: www.hollypereira.com
Contact: click here

Ming Wong will represent Singapore at the 53rd Venice Biennale

Internationally recognised visual artist Ming Wong will represent Singapore at the 53rd Venice Biennale International Art Exhibition this year.

A graduate of the Slade School of Art (UK) and the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (Singapore), Wong is presently based in Berlin, Germany, where he undertook a one year artist residency at the prestigious Kunstlerhaus Bethanien in 2008. Wong has made significant in-roads internationally with his participation in numerous group and solo visual arts exhibitions in Europe, North America and Asia; notable recent showcases include the Images Festival in Toronto Canada, Vain Efforts in Sydney Australia, S1 Salon in UK and the Jakarta Biennale. Wong’s works are currently on display at the At Home Abroad showcase at 8Q SAM, for Singapore artists who are well received overseas.

This will be Singapore’s 5th consecutive presentation at the Venice Biennale. The Commissioner for the Singapore Pavilion is Lim Chwee Seng, Director of Visual Arts & Resource Development, National Arts Council (NAC), while Tang Fu Kuen, an authority in managing multi-disciplinary arts showcases, serves as curator.

Said Lim Chwee Seng, “The Venice Biennale is a global cultural platform that provides high visibility and connectivity for participating artists and curators from around the world. Together with the Singapore Biennale and the Singapore Art Show organised by NAC in Singapore, our participation in the Venice Biennale forms part of our all-rounded approach to the development of Singapore’s traditional and contemporary art practices. This year the international art community will have the opportunity to witness the talents of Singapore artist Ming Wong and curator Tang Fu Kuen at the Pavilion through a multi-disciplinary, multi-lingual work that embodies a strong Singaporean character.”

Being featured as a solo artist in the Singapore Pavilion this year is an acknowledgement of Wong’s highly internationalised status, and recognition of his potential. As the most established and prestigious contemporary arts event, the Venice Biennale is an excellent springboard for Singapore artists to the global visual arts stage. Singapore’s participation in what is commonly referred to as the Olympics of the art world, provides the best opportunity not only to showcase our promising arts talents, but also to gain mindshare internationally and broaden Singapore’s global art footprint.

The Singapore Pavilion, entitled Life of Imitation, stages the co-existence of multiple worlds where language, gender, appearance and traditions constantly negotiate with one another. In playful and imperfect acts of mimesis and melodrama, this exhibition attempts to hold the mirror up to the Singaporean condition related to roots, hybridity and change.

Wong explores the performative veneers of language and identity through his own re-interpretations of “world cinema” – he has created a series of multi-channel video installations inspired by classic cinematic moments from Hollywood, Europe, China and South East Asia. The mood is further enhanced by billboards painted by Wong and Singapore’s last surviving billboard painter Neo Chon Teck, and movie memorabilia such as photographs of old cinemas in Singapore, paintings, drawings and transcripts, depicting the creation process of Wong’s video installations and the entire exhibition itself.

Wong joins 12 other artists who have represented Singapore at the oldest and most prestigious international contemporary art platform over the last 10 years. They were Matthew Ngui, Suzann Victor, Salleh Japar and Henri Chen (2001); Francis Ng, Heman Chong and Tan Swie Hian (2003); Lim Tzay Chuen (2005); Zul Mahmod, Jason Lim, Vincent Leow and Tang Da Wu (2007). The curators were Joanna Lee and Ahmad Mashadi (2001); Low Sze Wee (2003); Eugene Tan (2005); and Lindy Poh (2007).

The 53rd Venice Biennale International Art Exhibition charts the highest number of participating countries at a record 77 country pavilions with a significant increase in number of single-artist representation.

Exhibition date : 7 June – 22 November 2009
Vernissage : 4 June – 6 June 2009
Opening of Pavilion : 6 June 2009, 11am
Location of Pavilion : Palazzo Michiel del Brusa, Cannaregio, 4391 VENEZIA

Click here for more information.

Writing Magazine features Josephine Chia

Writing Magazine features Josephine Chia by Lynne Hackles

creative [SIN]ergy supports Pink Dot SG

SUPPORTS

Singaporeans to make a stand against prejudice and bigotry

All Singaporeans should have the freedom to love, regardless of their sexual orientation. With this belief, a group of like-minded volunteers are encouraging Singaporeans to gather at Hong Lim Park on 16th May 2009, in support for an inclusive Singapore - free of bigotry towards LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) Singaporeans.

Through the event, Pink Dot Sg hopes to show that Singapore can be a better society if it breaks down the barriers to understanding. The event on May 16th will be Singapore’s first public showing of support for an LGBT cause. However, it is open to everyone - young and old, straight and gay.

The topic of homosexuality was last broached openly more than a year ago, during Parliamentary debates on Section 377A – the penal code that criminalises homosexual acts. Not much has changed for LGBT Singaporeans since then, many of whom continue to live secret lives, afraid of compromising relationships with their family, friends, colleagues and acquaintances.

Today, many Singaporeans harbour negative impressions about the LGBT community. Pink Dot Sg believes this may be due to a limited understanding amongst the populace. Discordant laws and policies aside, ignorance and fear are potent catalysts for prejudice and bigotry. This goes against the grain of a diverse and inclusive Singapore.

Everyone assumes that all Singaporeans have the freedom to love. The event on May 16th invites all Singaporeans to ponder this basic freedom and what it means for those who live their lives, hiding their true selves from the people they love.

Roy Tan, a member of the Pink Dot Sg organizing committee, says, “As Singaporeans, we have come to accept everyone’s right to love across racial, cultural and religious barriers. The only line left to cross is that of sexual orientation. The event is for everyone, regardless of their age, sexual orientation and political beliefs. It is a gathering of people who believe in the freedom to love and to lend their support towards open-mindedness and understanding. No prior registration is required. Just show up and if possible, come dressed in pink!”


Details

Date: 16th May 2009 (Saturday)
Time: 4:30pm
Venue: Hong Lim Park, Singapore

No registration is required for this 100% legal event.
Look for us online on Facebook or visit http://pinkdot.sg.


About Pink Dot Sg
Pink Dot Sg is a non-profit movement started by a group of individuals who care deeply about the place that LGBT Singaporeans call home. Pink because it’s a blend of red and white – the colour of Singapore’s national flag. Also, it is the colour of our national identification cards. More importantly, Pink Dot Sg stands for a Singapore in which all Singaporeans, regardless of their sexual orientation, are free to love and be loved.

Click here for more information

Raffles of Singapore. An exciting musical seeks its first production in the UK.

This full-scale musical about the life of Sir Stamford Raffles was first produced to accalaim in 1979 in the Victoria Theatre, Singapore, by a company of professional West End actors. The co-writers now seek to have the show produced in the UK by one or more pro-am societies who could show-case the musical and hopefully attract a commercial producer to mount the show in the West End.

The story is based on historical fact. Stamford Raffles rose from being a clerk in the East India Company, London, to the rank of Lieutenant Governor of Bencoolen, whence he founded a settlement in Singapore in 1819. He did so without the permission of the East India Company whose response was to strip him of his pension and leave him indebted and financially broken.

The musical by Richard Cleghorn-Brown and Ian Senior has the support of the Singapore Tourist Board, and both SUKA and the Singapore Business Group are arranging for the co-writers to present the show at meetings that are in the process of being arranged. Members of CreativeSinergy who are also members of SUKA and SBG may wish to contact the chairmen Conrad Chua and Nicholas Woo respectively about these arrangements.

The co-authors are actively seeking to raise £10k in sponsorship to insulate one or more pro-am operatic societies against the risk of producing a new musical instead of one from the standard repertory such as My Fair Lady.

Any individual or company interested in sponsoring Raffles of Singapore could contact iansenior@aol.com for more details about the terms of sponsorship.

Short Circuit – London, films announced

Short Circuit - London
Curated by by Boo Junfeng and Alfian Sa'at
Featuring: Lola by Rae Lyn Lee and Summer by Hong Khaou

Pink IC by Charmaine Wong
White by Tan Wei Keong
Locust by Victric Thng
Don't Say Farewell Again by Eva Tang
Asian Girls Vol 3 (Memoirs of a Geisha) by Brian Gothong Tan
Crocodile Journals by Yeo Lee Nah
Miss A Shot by Ezzam Rahman and Ghazi Alqudcy
Wet Season by Michael Tay
Katong Fugue by Boo Junfeng
Autopsy by Loo Zihan
Monkey Love by Royston Tan

Shoeperstar - Design a Shoe Competition

Are you harbouring a passion for shoes? Perhaps you've always wanted to try your hand at footwear design but never got around to it. Have you dreamt of being the next big thing in fashion?

Are you a Shoeperstar?

If yes, then read on... Hush Puppies are looking for the next hot footwear design and in doing so offering budding designers the chance of a lifetime with their “Design a Shoe Competition” in association with Schuh and Heart. It's a footwear design competition open to all! The designer behind the winning entry will work with Hush Puppies to have their shoe made and sold exclusively in Schuh stores nationwide, plus win a bunch of other great stuff like free shoes for a year courtesy of Schuh, and a fantastic styling session and makeover with celebrity stylist Rachel Fanconi!

Excited? You should be!

Hush Puppies have been one of the world's most popular shoe brands for over 50 years. Our casual style has made us a recognised superbrand and a household name in over 70 countries worldwide. So it's fair to say we know a thing or two about shoes!

Remember the competition is open to anyone aged 16 and over, closing date for entries is 30th June 2009... so good luck!

May the best shoe win!

Click here for more information

Recommended by Kok Loong Wong

Re-birth Opening Night

Bruno Jamaica

Re-birth opened on a typical rainy English evening. Only that it was April when spring was meant to be upon us. The weather did not put a damper on our exhaustive guest list. Many stoic souls braved the weather on various modes of transportation; folding bike included, to lend us their support on our first ever London art exhibition together. The pressure mounted even more for us as viewers, expectant to be visually enticed and engaged, especially after commuting in the dismal weather at the start of the weekend.

Stella Orkupolou

Re-birth definition runs the gamut in Wikipedia alone. But one that closest fit our show comes from Buddhism. It defines re-birth as “belief that consciousness arising in the new person is neither identical to, nor different from, the old consciousness, but forms part of a causal continuum”. In our official press release, Duncan Wooldridge wrote “the idea of re-birth is both generative and destructive” but not to be viewed on an “entirely blank slate”. He foresaw fresh opportunities and directions to be seized by the artists. In turn, needing the abandonment of norms on the viewers’ part. As it is argued that regularity needs to be left behind in order to achieve creativity.

Virginie Litzler and Sawako Ando

In this instance, Re-birth sought or even forced the group to crawl out of their comfort zones (be it familiar media, methodologies and presentations) to explore and project from their experiences working with and without each other. In the process of putting this exhibition together, the artists are constantly discussing, meeting and questioning their future creations. The effort is always there; ever the conscious nagging thought. To seize the opportunity, the given space, direction and create something that will somehow communicate a new self. I recalled the discussions always had open endings; leaving more questions than answers. Well answers were delivered on the fateful rainy preview night 17th April 2009.
Edward Parkinson

Be it singularly or collectively effective, the responses we received and gathered were encouraging; from viewers and organizers alike. It even spawned some dance groups to create a dance number in response to Re-birth. Some artists from the group are invited to conduct a workshop at the venue.
Fran Ortega

Are these new works “neither identical to, nor different from, the old consciousness”? Will these experiences in creation and showing lend to their act of being re-born i.e. contribute to their “causal continuum” as artists? Or will they return to their “original state” when inspiration and energy sources are depleted? Only another space and another opportunity will be the judge of that.
For now in my opinion, it is an experience to be seen if not this once.

Text by Siti Osman

Re-birth
Islington Arts Factory
2 Parkhurst Road, London, N7 0SF
www.islingtonartsfactory.org.uk

Closing date – 14th May 2009

Islington Arts Factory is open:
Mon – Thu 10am – 11pm, Fri 10am – 7pm
Sat & Sun 10am – 5:30pm
Nearest Tube: Holloway Road or Caledonian Road
This exhibition is free of charge.

Please contact Siti Osman at siti.at.work@gmail.com for further information.

SHOWCASE: Siti Osman

Siti Osman is a trained graphic designer, worked in design consultancy and dealership for about ten years. Dealt with local and regional projects incorporating international design brands. Read Masters in Art Business (MAAB - Merit) with Sotheby's Institute of Art London 2005-2006, her dissertation delved in Art Investment. Working experience in London include Bill Viola's London exhibition 2006, V22 London and The Fine Art Fund. Currently employed as a Studio Manager for an established British artist/sculptor whose recent acclaim included showing at "Wonder" Singapore Biennale 2008.

A proud graduate of Temasek Polytechnic, "Re-birth" is her first London art show. The next project is a touring exhibition, featuring some noted Asian artists, slated for 2010.

Name: Siti Osman
Location: London, UK
Website: NA
Email: click here

Josephine Chia's forthcoming book, Your Body: Gateway To The Divine

Your body: Gateway to the Divine
by Josephine Chia

In the quest for spiritual advancement or enlightenment, people often view the body as an unimportant element or worse, a hinderance. Your Body: Gateway To The Divine suggests that it is this erroneous idea which gives rise to our continual battle and obsession with our body and body

In this book Josephine presents a celebration of the physical body, of the Creator who created it, and is a tool towards understanding how we can use our body and our five senses to find our way home to The Divine.


"Josephine has an enviable way of putting across profound truths in a sensible and reasoned manner…we should select what we may find useful - and I am confident that our search for the Divine will be rewarded.
"
Canon Geoffrey Tarris, MA, Canon Norwich Cathedral

"This intriguing book takes you on a personal journey which, if you stay the course, will cause you to question your life and its purpose."
Beryl Fleming, Secretary, Chichester Literary Society


ISBN: 978-1-84694-177-1
Distributed to the trade in North America through National Book Network; in the UK/Europe through Orca/Roundhouse

SWAP{box} : Format + Theme

Creative [SIN]ergy presents SWAP{box}, a cross-disciplinary design experiment aiming to showcase and explore creativity across cultures, design disciplines and individuals.

The format of the experiment is an online and real-life experience. The objects are exchanged through Creative SINergy between participants and they can track its evolution (images and descriptions) on its online blog.

Participants are given a portable cardboard box each to insert an object that is both related personally to their line of work and to the theme. The objects and subsequent resulting affectations are confined to the dimensions of each box. The sides of the box are available for participants to “verbalise” or explain (through diagrams) their design choices. These will then be transposed onto the blog.

Objects can be used either as “raw” material or as inspiration, so if the participant at the beginning of the thread puts in a book or a poster and says “Read it.” The resulting design object can be derived from a response to the previous material. The collection of objects in one box will then be showcased as a collective. Please note, participants are free to interpret this and need not follow instructions left by previous participants. Participants may use the box and affect itself but must provide another box to hold the objects.

Creative response can be interpreted into performance pieces that can be taped and added to the box. Creative [SIN]ergy will endeavour to showcase these if the situation arises.

Creative [SIN]ergy will be curating the experiment as it goes on so that we are creating and assimilating things, and do no end up with a bunch of meaningless objects.

The boxes will have a rotation period of one week for the initial 2 rotations then 2 weeks for the final 2 rotations (4 rotations in total) before the final showcase after 6 weeks.

Out of the resulting boxes, Creative [SIN]ergy will hold a poll amongst its member community to choose the top 3 boxes which would then be showcased at our launch party. The other projects will be featured online and maybe in some form at the showcase.

Participants must agree that their objects may not (and hopefully will not) be returned to them in the same state in which it began the experiment.

The theme that binds the work together is a reflection of Creative [SIN]ergy’s concerns and cultural ties to Singapore, that may also be very relevant to any other country and culture especially in these similarly difficult times. The deliberate inclusion of non-Singaporean participants is to promote ideas of cooperation and multi-culturalism that is important to any society. We reiterate that the theme should not be seen as propaganda for the promotion of Singapore in a literal sense but through an insight into thought processes and issues that drive overseas Singaporean designers. The specific theme for this series will be provided in the boxes.

About [SWAP]shop
Interested? Please contact:
melisa.chan@creativesinergy.com


Loose example

creative [SIN]ergy mentioned on OIC site

creative [SIN]ergy's Portrait Day was mentioned on the OIC web site for our involvement during Singapore Day at Hampton Court in London.

OIC (Organisation of Illustrators Council) is a platform for professional illustrators in Singapore to connect, collaborate, share ideas, get feedback for their work, exchange news and inspire each other. Check out thier site.

Mobile Phone Security Challenge

Who's more creative - criminals or you? Mobile Phone Security Challenge

Can you make mobiles useless to thieves? Convince us you’re up to the challenge and we’ll pay to develop your idea. Come to the briefing event at the Design Council to find out more about the issues around mobile phone security and meet with designers and technologists interested in forming a team.

Date: Friday 15 May, 9am - 3pm
Venue: Design Council, 34 Bow Street, London WC2E 7DL
RSVP: carla.neale@designcouncil.org.uk

View online

Or maybe you accept that criminals are more creative than you?
Visit www.mobilephonesecuritychallenge.ning.com.

The Challenge is part of Design out Crime, an initiative from the Home Office Design & Technology Alliance Against Crime and the Design Council. The Mobile Phone Security Challenge is supported by the Technology Strategy Board.

PROJECT: slingSHORT in Singapore

Filmmakers at the Q&A session at PROJECT: slingSHORT in Singapore.
This event was held at Sinema Old School on 2nd of May 2009.

All proceeds were donated to projectION, a social initiative in collaboration with PROJECT: slingSHORT and Sinema Academy of Motion Pictures.