31 July 2009

creative [SIN]ergy meets The Design Society @ Of A Feather

creative [SIN]ergy were invited to the private event Of A Feather presented by Trine Design Associates on 11 July 2009. The event was a gathering of a group of like minded people in the creative industry in Singapore, and also a chance for some to share their current or interesting projects.

Of A Feather was also the launch of the book project, Marley Magpie. This book is a collaboration between Trine Design Associates + a group of talented local and overseas Illustrators. The Marley Magpie book was commissioned by Antalis and was recently awarded the red dot award: communication design 2009.

When Antalis looked to launch a new line of Arjowiggins shiny metallic papers, it commissioned Trine to create a promotional swatchbook that not only showcases the quality of the fine papers but conveys value to the target audience – predominantly designers and end-clients. Through a collaborative effort with a group of talented local illustrators and writers, the swatchbook transforms into a enchanting storybook inspired by the magpie’s unbridled fascination with shiny objects. The book features multiple innovative print finishing techniques such as hybrid UV printing, flock printing, relief embossing and traditional hand-sewn binding.

The Design Society, a newly formed organisation, also gave a short introduction on who they are and what they do at this event which was held on the 44th floor of The Sail @ Marina Bay. Creative [SIN]ergy members, David Lee, Brian Chia and Brian Tan were present at the event.

The Design Society is a Singapore registered, non-profit organisation dedicated to the goals of raising the general standard of design in Singapore, and growing its reach internationally.

We are focused on Applied Graphic Design and its contributions to Singapore visual culture and society in general. We seek to inspire local designers and engage the public through greater understanding and appreciation for good design.

Photos courtesy of Victor Lim.
Click here for more photos from the event.

30 July 2009

An exciting musical about Sir Stamford Raffles will have its UK premiere in November 2010


In 1979 Raffles of Singapore, a new musical, was presented to acclaim in the Victoria Theatre, Singapore, and it went on to be performed for a week in the Hong Kong arts festival. The musical will now have its first production in the UK from 14 to 20 November 2010. It will be produced by the award-winning Henley Operatic Society in the Kenton Theatre, Henley (234 seats).

The original production was sponsored by the National Theatre of Singapore and Singapore Airlines as well as by a committee of Singaporeans and ex-patriates and by many Singaporean firms and individuals.

The UK production has the support of Mr Michael TEO, Singapore High Commissioner, London, the Singapore Business Group of the UK, Singapore Tourism Board, the Singapore UK Association (SUKA) and other Singaporean organisations in the UK.

Raffles of Singapore is a historically true account of how Sir Stamford Raffles founded Singapore without permission from the East India Company and was bankrupted by the Company for doing so. The show is a moving piece of theatre which will make Sir Stamford Raffles better known in the UK and will be good publicity for modern Singapore in every way.

For further information, contact Ian Senior +44 1923 400400 or iansenior@aol.com

Text provided by Ian Senior.

29 July 2009

A6 /future/ featuring

SG// Eeshaun/ Faded Crimson/ Kristal/ Kuanth/ Mindflyer/ Msxi/ Random Sunday/ Seiji/ Sheryo/ Wei Keong/ Zeropointfive//

UK// Brian Grimwood/ Jacqui Mair/ Jitesh Patel/ Max Ellis/ Jingyi Ye/ Sarah Hujie Cai/ Simon Spilsbury/ Sophie Kern/ Stephanie Hosmer/ Supei Ho/ Tow Fewings//Creative [SIN]ergy presents,
A6 /future/ - a collaboration between 22 illustrators from both Singapore and the UK. Supported by The Central Illustration Agency. A6 /future/ invites these artists to share their thoughts, hopes and dreams about their future through the use of A6 sized postcards.

Please visit London Design Festival Guide for more information.

28 July 2009

1 of nine - 1st kick off meeting snippet

Click here to watch the snippet on Creative [SIN]ergy Channel.

Creative [SIN]ergy had its 1st kick off meeting for "1 of nine" on 27th June at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
"1 of nine" is a collaborative project between Musicians and Artist/ Designers. This was the 1st gather of the Musicians and Artists to try and rehearse, workshop and experiment together.

"1 of nine" refers to the probability during the overall life expectancy of a women, 1 out of 9 may suffer from breast cancer. It also refers to the participants made up of 9 musicians and 9 artist/ designers.

27 July 2009

SHOWCASE: Chris Chua Teck Leong

Chris Chua Teck Leong a recent BA graduate of Central Saint Martins in Theatre : Design for Performance. As a visual/ performance artist, he is a cracked kettle that stands on the cross roads of order and out-of-bounds.

Order (1997 - 2003) : Went to school like all, graduated with an Engineering Diploma: Temasek Poly, moved on to get a job like all, worked and travelled around the world with the Trade Exhibitions and Events company; Kingsmen Exhibits, live like all.

Me (present) : Language is a cracked kettle on which we beat out tunes for bears to dance to, while all the time we long to move the stars to pity. - Gustave Flaubert -

Out-of-bounds (2004 - 2009) : Gave up all the comforts that he had, bummed around for 6 months and found himself working in the performing arts for Dim Sum Dollies and Zip Productions, ended up in an advertising agency (DDB) for a year, packed up for London to enroll in a non-foundation course but into a commerical visual display course and evenutally make it to Theatre: Design for Performance.

Name: Chris Chua Teck Leong
Location: Singapore
Website: NA
Contact: click here

24 July 2009

Creative [SIN]ergy featured as supporter of Outrace

Creative [SIN]ergy is featured as supporter of Outrace. Outrace is an event organised by Oogachaga during Indignation 2009. The funds raised during the sold out screening of Short Circuit - London will be use to fund two of Oogachaga’s youth initiatives this year. These two events will be organised together with volunteers from two other small youth groups, namely Youth Out Here and Dirrtyremixes.

OutRace, an amazing race style event where contestants will cover locations of significant historical values in Singapore’s gay movement. This event will take place in August during Indignation 2009.

The objectives of OutRace are:
· To educate youths on local gay history via landmarks and gay establishments, in a fun and engaging way.

· Instil a sense of community and bonding among queer and straight youths.

23 July 2009

Central Illustration Agency (CIA) supports A6 /future/

Central Illustration Agency (CIA) supports creative [SIN]ergy's A6 /future/.

The Central Illustration Agency (CIA) launched in 1983 in the heart of central London rather spontaneously, with around twenty established artists, resolved in what they were doing and promoting a loose, expressive approach to image making.

CIA has grown into one of the most successful and critically respected agencies in the UK with an ever increasing presence worldwide. The roots of the agency remain embedded in raw creativity and originality of thought and we are proud to represent some of the biggest names in the industry as well as a healthy stable of emerging talent from all over the world.

We promote our illustrators via as varied and innovative a platform as possible with touring exhibitions, seasonal festivals, on-line, with our own magazine, and recently an on-line store.

For more information about Central Illustration Agency (CIA), please visit www.centralillustration.com
or email info@centralillustration.com

Contact: Ben Cox (Managing Director), Jules Beazley (Agent), Alicja McCarthy (Agency Manager & Publicist) or Rhiannon Mollart (Agent)

22 July 2009

Short Circuit - London Appreciation Reception hosted by Oogachaga


Filmmakers and Supporters of Short Circuit - London were hosted to an appreciation reception on Saturday 11 July 2009 at the Oogachaga office in Singapore. Creative [SIN]ergy's Brian Tan was at the reception to hand a cheque of SGD$1500.00 to the organisers of Oogachaga. creative [SIN]ergy was able to raise SGD$1000.00 from the screening of Short Circuit - London and through the kind donation of one of our guest we were able to raise an additional SGD$500.00, all in aid of Oogachaga.


Short Circuit – London
was presented by
creative [SIN]ergy and supported by Objectifs films, Fridae, Peccadillo Pictures, Freedoms Shop and The Shadow Lounge with all proceeds from this event donated to Oogachaga in Singapore.

Watch the video message from Oogachaga.

21 July 2009

A6 /future/ part of the London Design Festival

A6 /future/ is listed on the LDF web site as part of The London Design Festival 2009. Creative [SIN]ergy is also featured as a partner of The London Design Festival in the partners section.

A6 /future/
is presented by creative [SIN]ergy and Supported by the Singapore International Foundation, the Central Illustration Agency (CIA) and Tiger Beer.

Click here for more information.

20 July 2009

SHOWCASE: Calvin Chua

Calvin Chua is currently deciphering the paradoxes of architecture and the city as a student at the Architectural Association School of Architecture. He takes an interest in social and political issues in the urban environment, often negotiating these boundaries through architectural works. He has previously completed an interactive urban installation at the London Architectural Biennale and an informational graphics object for re:ACT at the Venice Biennale under the Singapore Pavilion in 2008. His interest in paradoxical urban conditions has also led him in contributing articles to the Singapore Architect magazine. Calvin is also a core member in [re:ACT], a Singaporean group of visionary architecture enthusiasts concern with the development of architecture in the Asian region, developing tools for increasing community awareness and interaction with architecture and urbanism through dialogues, films, exhibitions and community based projects.

Name: Calvin Chua
Location: London, UK
Website: NA
Contact: click here

17 July 2009

A6 /future/ coming soon...

Creative [SIN]ergy presents,
A6 /future/ - a collaboration between 22 illustrators from both Singapore and the UK. Supported by the Singapore International Foundation, the event invites these artists to share their thoughts, hopes and dreams about their future through the use of A6 sized postcards.


Each illustrator will be tasked to pose a question on what he/she feels about the future - express these thoughts through illustrations on half an A6 postcard, before posting them to another illustrator. He/she will then think of a possible answer to complete the template. There will be a mutual exchange of ideas between artists. They are also encouraged to be both imaginative and inspiring in this process.

The completed artworks will be showcased at a London venue during this year's London Design Festival. The 22 postcards will also be auctioned to raise funds for a charity.

For more information please visit www.creativesinergy.com

16 July 2009

Opening Night of Found & Lost at Osage Gallery featuring Erika Tan


Erika Tan
was recently featured in an exhibition entitled, Found & Lost
at the Osage Gallery in Singapore.
The opening night reception was held on Friday 22 May 2009 the main block of the Old School. This exhibition ran from 23rd May till 12th July 2009. Aversions will also be launched during the opening reception. Found & Lost is curated by Guo-Liang Tan and is organised in conjunction with the Singapore Arts Festival 2009.

'There is no final image, only intersections and loose ends. There is no centre, only peripheral fictions and suggestions, multiplying and expanding towards a threshold found and lost.'

Found & Lost features the works of eight Singapore artists (Sookoon Ang, Cheong Kah Kit, Khiew Huey Chian, Charles Lim, Matthew Ngui, Shubigi Rao, Erika Tan, and Ian Woo) 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.

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.

Images courtesy of Osage Gallery.

Osage Singapore is a spectacular new space located in the main block of the Old School development at the former Methodist Girls School at Mount Sophia. Osage Singapore comprises the whole of the former auditorium with floor space of 4,570 square feet and ceilings more than 40 feet high, plus a viewing balcony of 1,750 square feet and another side gallery of 2480 square feet.

Osage is Asia’s largest gallery group with more than 85,000 square feet of exhibition space under management. The size and reach of our gallery spaces gives us the ability to operate on a truly regional basis. We believe that we can best represent artists by having a presence in a number of major cities in Asia. The artists benefit by having much greater exposure in different markets and wider audiences for their work and audiences benefit when the artists are presented consistently and in the best possible way.

By being active in different centres Osage is able to develop much closer relationships with clients. The spaces are all managed by art industry professionals who genuinely believe in putting the client first, strive continually to achieve superior quality in their work, and maintain the highest ethical standards in their relationships with artists and clients.

The exhibition programs, education programs and outreach activities all provide a platform for artists and audiences to engage with cultural and creative ideas. The exhibitions are supported by a publications program which helps make the art work more accessible to a wider range of audiences.

Osage is also committed to arts promotion and development. In every city in which we work, the exhibition spaces are regularly given over to the not-for-profit Osage Art Foundation to present and promote experimental and conceptual work and important independently curated exhibitions that address global issues and a range of arts education activities.


13 July 2009

SHOWCASE: Sarah Huijie Cai

Sarah Huijie Cai was enrolled in the Art Elective Programme in Singapore for 6 years before deciding to leave home to pursue her artistic interests. She was the recipient of the Art Elective Programme MOE scholarship in 2004. Having completed her Diploma of Foundation in Art and Design, She is currently studying BA Graphic Design at Central Saint Martins.

Prior to embarking on her design degree, Sarah taught Art Therapy for 3 years in Singapore, starting out her entrepreneurship by teaching art classes to children with special needs.

In London, Sarah helped direct and design promotional material for events organised by various Singapore societies. Besides her interest in graphic design, Sarah has a strong passion for narrative illustration. She produces illustrations and silk screen prints in her free time. Sarah is currently conducting research on tactile materials and processes in print and communication with funding from the Queen's Scholarship Award 2009.

Sarah's work was recently featured in Puffin Post magazine and also at "Two/Thirds" , part of the 9th annual Free Range Show 2009 at The Old Truman Brewery in London.

Name: Huijie Sarah Cai
Location: London, UK
Website: www.thegirlwhoateink.com
Email: caihuijie@gmail.com

10 July 2009

Creative [SIN]ergy is a London Design Festival Partner

Creative [SIN]ergy is now a partner of the London Design Festival 2009. We are currely featured on the "Partners section" on the London Design Festival site.

In conjunction with the London Design Festival creative [SIN]ergy will be presenting A6 /future/.

About the London Design Festival:

The London Design Festival is the UK’s biggest annual celebration of design and reflects London’s status as the world creative hub.

It is made up of the widest possible range of design disciplines, all of who prosper in the city. These new ideas and activities make each Festival dynamic, different and uniquely London. Supported by government, the design sector, and leading businesses, the Festival offers a platform for the best design talent.

The Festival inspires and engages. In particular, it supports emerging talent that reflects London’s diverse influences. Acting as an platform brand, the Festival works with national museums, retailers, universities, trade shows, magazines, international design businesses and of course individual designers, all of who contribute excellence to the Festival programme.

The Festival works year-round with key London venues and spaces such as Trafalgar Square, Southbank Centre, the V&A and Somerset House to programme engaging design-related content that reflects London’s diverse design story, and makes it a global destination for new ideas and talent.

The London Design Festival acts as a brand umbrella and unites the UK's world-class creative community by bringing together individuals and organisations from across the design spectrum. The Festival allows the creative community the opportunity to explore issues, showcase ideas and generate business with a specifically invited global audience.

The Festival is both a cultural and a commercial event with as much on offer to trade and commerce as to the casual visitor.

Our Festival programme offers visitors the opportunity to see our creative industries at work. During the Festival London opens its doors to the public with open studios, product lunches, trade shows, major international exhibitions, private views and site specific public installations. The Festival offers the chance to meet the designers at the heart of British design and to see their work in one condensed period of time.

Since our inception in 2003 we have constantly refined and developed our approach to promoting London. We’ve listened to our partners and our audience and worked with our team to ensure that guests and collaborators alike get the most from the festival. We hope you enjoy our new look!

9 July 2009

Kok Loong Wong shortlisted for competition

Kok Loong Wong's entry was among the 14 shortlisted projects. Some of the Architects shortlisted are from well established practices, like Amin Taha Architects, Gras Studio and ZM Architecture.

This open design competition was initiated by Stirling Developments, a property development company based in Edinburgh. The competition calls for entrants to design a new house typology for the first phase of their ‘Calderwood’ new village development near Edinburgh.

The entrants were asked to Consider the neighbourhood’s context, within both existing landscape & the proposed masterplan to design a detached house type for a specific target market (100m2 min- 300m2 max floor area). Designs should be hugely desirable while representing great value for money to the discerning house buyer.

A panel of experts from the field of architecture and house building, as well as planning and statutory bodies were among the competition judges.

Winners and Runners Up entrants will be given the opportunity of an interview for a full time architectural position with Stirling Developments. In addition, they will be invited to a high profile design workshop in September.

Creative [SIN]ergy wishes Kok Loong Wong all the best!



Intentional Assimilation:
Calderwood Design Competition 2009: A New House Typology

Natural elements seldom appear in a very regular forms; that is the natural phenomenon of the world.

The project experiments with the intention of assimilating an irregularly-shaped building to its surrounding natural element: the tree. This aims to integrate the new buildings into the natural environment.

The core idea of the project is the amalgamation of profiles in order to generate irregularity. By looking at the practice of topiary we can see that the tree can be shaped to what we what. Similarly by distorting the very typical shape of a dwelling, one can adjusts this typical shape to become something unusual. By combining various adjusted profiles one can accommodate functional spaces within this irregular building envelope.

Instead of placing unassuming box-like buildings in the landscape (with the aim of lowering the visual impact of the buildings to their environment) what is proposed here is an alternative, more provocative proposition in order for the new building to blend into the landscape. Instead of apologetically trying to hide, the building assimilates with, [emulates and, by a process of abstract imitation, flatters] its context.

8 July 2009

Monocle ranks Singapore 18, on Quality of Life Survey

In the July/ August issue, Monocle ranks Singapore number 18, on their Quality of Life Survey. Singapore's ranking has moved up 2 spots since last year's survey. Don't forget to check out the September issue of Monocle as they present a Monocle National Survey on Singapore, on sale from 20 August 2009.

6 July 2009

SHOWCASE: Shzr Ee Tan

Shzr Ee Tan is an active musician with a background in classical piano, tango/Balkan accordion, Chinese and Okinawan lutes (sanxian and sanshin), the Chinese fiddle (erhu) and various East Asian percussion instruments. She is a member of several ensembles based in London, including a jazz-improv quartet, a tango band, a Korean percussion band and a Chinese silk and bamboo ensemble. Some of the venues in which she has appeared include the South Bank, the Truman Brewery and The Arts House (Singapore). Shzr Ee also has experience as a print journalist in Asia, having worked for an extensive period of time as an arts correspondent for The Straits Times in Singapore, and thereafter magazines and newspapers in the Far East on a freelance basis. She continues to contribute columns on film, music and culture to various media.

Shzr Ee Tan is currently a British Academy Postdoctoral Fellow at Royal Holloway, University of London, currently studying music activities on new media platforms in the Chinese diaspora. Her research touches on phenomena ranging from viral videos to politico-musical activism on the internet. Shzr Ee completed her PhD at the School of Oriental and African Studies, investigating Amis aboriginal folksong of Taiwan in interacting contexts of the village, the cultural troupe, the popular music industry and Christian missionisation. Her other interests include music and politics, urban ethnomusicology and connections between music and food cultures. She has published on music, kitsch, media and politics in Singapore, as well as on aboriginal song in Taiwan. Her work has appeared in scholarly journals including Ethnomusicology Forum, Journal of American Folklore, Chime and Wacana Seni.. Shzr Ee currently teaches at Royal Holloway, and has also lectured at Nanhua University (Taiwan) and the Lasalle College of the Arts (Singapore).. She presents her work regularly at international conferences and has spoken at meets and seminars held by the International Council for Traditional Music, Society for Ethnomusicology, SOAS, the London School Of Economics, Cambridge University, City University, Hong Kong University, National Chenggong University, Chime and the South East Asian Regional Exchange Programme, among other institutions.

Name : Shzr Ee Tan
Location : London, UK
Web : myspace.com/shzreetan, http://www.rhul.ac.uk/Music/Staff/ShzrEeTan.html
Contact: shzree@yahoo.com

5 July 2009

Short Circuit - London [post report]


At the pre screening reception

In the screening room
At Shadow Lounge for the post party