Types of Art:

1. Building/ Architecture
2. Media (books, literature, digital art, etc.)
3. Music
4. Visual & Performing Arts

Context of local Art Scene:

● Censorship
○ Generous grants from NAC can be taken back if “the work produced is in breach
with their guidelines”. Before an exhibition or performance can go public, it has
to be licensed by the Infocomm Media Development Authority.
○ This has massive ramifications on the liberty an artist has for their art, where their
livelihood is at risk. Is this censorship truly to protect Singapore from the
disruption of “public order, national security and/or stability”? Or does it serve to
suffocate and silence the artist? Though there is no clear answer, one thing is
certain: it has discouraged budding artists.
■ The artist behind “The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye” had its funding
from the National Art Counil (NAC) revoked because his comics included
content that were critical of the ruling party PAP
○ Asia Week reported that local artists have found it challenging to contend with the
country’s political conservatism & despotic censorship
○ Watain - Swedish black metal band was denied access to perform in Singapore as
it denigrates faith (especially that of Christianity) and promotes cult practices,
ritualistic and satanic acts - though this protected religious diversity in Singapore,
some have condemned this as a restriction of free expression
● Urban Art Installation
○ Bugis Art Precinct - wall murals
○ Public Art Trust established to commission & promote public art projects across
the city
● Art Fests & Competitions
○ Singapore International Jazz Festival
○ C-Lit Songwriting Competition - nurturing budding young talents
○ Singapore Book Awards to recognise local writers
○ Chingay Parade - held during lunar new year
○ Ethnic Enclaves (Chinatown. Little India, Kampong Glam) - melting pot &
amalgamation of cultures
○ Singapore Biennale - promote cultural exchange
○ Singapore Art Week
● Declining engagements
○ Art Stage Singapore is one of the most important local art event that anchors
Singapore Art Week yet exhibitors and participants have been decreasing over the
 years from 170 to recently only a mere 80
○ There is also a recognisable lack of art production in Singapore
○ Lack of public interest - according to survey done by the National Arts Council
survey, only 4 in 10 Singaporeans expressed interest in arts & cultural events,
although 8 in 10 expressed acknowledgment of the value & benefits of engaging
in arts & culture
○ Singapore - known for its robust education system - is more often associated with
efficiency than creativity
○ There have been top-down ambitions to nurture creativity & innovation - perhaps
due to the rigidity of Singapore’s education system - where there is not much
space for “creativity”
○ Demand for locally-produced films such as “Ah Boys To Men” directed by Jack
Neo used to receive great support from Singaporeans as it is a great description of
what the Singapore young men have to go through in a comedic fashion, yet his
recent productions are no longer favoured
● Celebration of unique art forms help keep our social fabric intact if we learn to appreciate
the beauty of other cultures

Impact/Importance/ Relevance/ Purpose of Art on society

The design and appearance of shops & cafes is an important way of attracting customers.
Evaluate this view of shops and cafes in your country.

● Art explores social issues/ offers commentaries on contemporary society exploring topics
like identity, diversity, urbanization & cultural heritage
○ Vehicle for social justice // A term coined by Joseph Beuys – “social sculpture”
○ Polticial cartoons: Comics / caricaturised drawings are often used to bring to light
hidden issues or ridicule pre-existing views or structures
○ The Economist – a magazine known for its commentaries on political big issues
and global matters also often feature these caricature-based short comics on its
cover or within its pages, serving as a scucint and witty commentaries or
representations of real-world issues
○ These art work are powerful in shaping one’s interpretations and associations of
the figure depicted (during Donald Trump’s residency as US president, he was
often depicted with a large wrinkgly head, pinning an image of arrogance and self
centred privilege onto the man)
○ Art as social commentary also capture historical happenings and social injustice,
like Kent Monkman’s “The Scream” which depicts Canada’s racial conflict
between the indigenous community and the officers

● Economy of the Arts

○ Some of the world’s biggest and most attended conventions, such as the New
York Comic Con features a several-day-long festival where people are able to
 purchase their favourite comics, meet creators and get a glimpse of new and
upcoming releases - businesses and restaurants where conventions are hosted are
almost always fully booked for weeks, generating much economic growth
○ Some art are meant to be enjoyed free of cost, but that does not mean that they are
worthless (like murals along the Bugis Street, where the government have paid
local artists to design the walls with cultural inspiration) - which is a touristic spot
patronized by many locals and foreigners as a photo spot
● The Arts force us to think, to question and reflect
○ literature such as Harper Lee’s ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ and Elizabeth George
Speare’s ‘The Witch of Blackbird Pond’ have placed societal issues such as racial
discrimination and minority persecution under the spotlight, enabling our
understanding of the persecuted, and causing us to question our prejudices,
thereby increasing empathy for others who may appear different from ourselves
and suffer as a result, while teaching us basic kindness for other human beings.
● Emotional & Psychological Well-Being
○ Stimulate imagination, self-expression, helps individuals deal with trauma or stree
○ Art Therapy has been helpful in helping individuals cope with depression and
post-traumatic stress disorder
● Community Engagement & Cohesion/ Identity Building
○ Art’s presence as cultural icons/ cultural ballast
○ “Inside Out Project” by French artist JR, where community members worldwide
were invited to share their portraits, creating a global art project celebrating
diversity and unity
● Nation building
○ The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye captures the zeitgeist and cultural
landscape during Singapore’s Independence Era, showcasing the social fabric
of our small country, as it flourished from an uncertain freshly independent
nation into today’s prosperous and secure city-state → for young to learn how
life in Singapore was like before they were born
○ Manga draws heavily from Japanese traditions, folklore and heritage →
critically acclaimed samurai manga (Vagabond) takes inpsiration from old
legends nad uses classical art style

Funding of Art: Govt or Private?

● Questions arise about who determines which art forms or artists receives the funding - art
censorship may be prevalent as art forms that do not align with government’s objectives
may not be funded

Impact of Technology on Art

● NFT Boom
 ○ Digital assets that use blockchain technology to verify ownership & authenticity
○ Value & sustainability of this market
● Platforms like Artsy or Artnet provide online marketplaces & databases for buying and
selling art, streamlining the art buying process
● First AI-Generated Artwork sold at auction in 2018
○ “Portrait of Edmond de Belamy” - sold for more than $43k
○ Raise questions about the value of machine-generated art

Art Activism
● The Guerilla Girls - a group of anonymous feminists donning the Gorilla face mask to
raise awareness with art, satire, humour about the gender inequality in the art scene (how
women are not given enough recognition)

Art Censorship

Censorship of any form of artistic expression is unjustifiable. Discuss.

Cultural Appropriation & Representation

● How public art and monuments are chosen (the historical & social context they represent
may be controversial, or exclude certain narratives or perspectives)
● The painting “Open Casket” exhibited at the Whitney Biennial sparked controversy
○ The artist was White & the artwork depicted the brutal murder of a African
American boy
○ Critics accused the artist of capitalizing Black suffering for personal gain; while
defenders address that the artwork addresses historical injustices
● Valentino: renowned Italian fashion brand known for luxury clothing, accessories &
designs
○ Valentino faced criticism for featuring designs in one of their collections
resembling traditional native american beadwork & motifs; the embellishments &
patterns are in the form of Indigenous art forms
○ Critics argued that the brand was commodifying Indigenous cultures for
commercial purposes without proper understanding or respect for their cultural
significance
○ Sparked discussions about responsibilities of brands when engaging with cultural
references & the greater dialogues, awareness & collaboration with Indigenous
communities needed to avoid disrespectful representations
● “Fearless Girl” Controversy
○ A bronze sculpture depicting a young girl, hands on her hips, facing the iconic
“Charging Bull” statue in the wall street area of New York City
○ It was first unveiled on International Women’s Day in 2017
 ○ It was meant to be a symbol of female empowerment, strength and gender
diversity - seen as a representation of challenging gender inequality and
advocating for women leadership, particularly in the financial sector
○ There are several controversy regarding this:
■ Commodification of female empowerment
● The fearless girl was commissioned by an investment management
firm - people accused the installation of being a corporate PR stunt
rather than a genuine artistic expression
● People argued that the installation of the status altered the meaning
of the original “Charging Bull” Artwork which originally meant to
represent strength and resilience in the face of market downturns

Economics of Art
● South Korea is an Asian Exemplar when it comes to the vibrant art scene - it
demonstrates a good rationale for the Singapore government’s investment in our arts &
cultural sector
○ In the last decade, SK’s film & music industry has boosted Korea’s culture &
ignited the interest of foreigners.
○ Descendants of the Sun took the world by storm and the advertising revenue from
its first 8 episodes surpassed 50 million USD
● Singapore does hope to emulate this soft power & open up the economic potential of the
arts and cultural sector, comprising visual arts, performing arts, literary arts, film,
photography, museums, galleries, heritage sites etc.
○ Several art galleries have closed down in the past 2 years reported in a Strait
Times article
● In 2013, the arts & culture sector was estimated to have contributed approximately 1.6
billion to the economy
● Spain experienced an economic transformation through the Guggenheim Museum’s
presence, driving urban development & stimulating local economies
● Eras Tour by Taylor Swift generated $4.6 billion in GDP

Art: Necessity or Luxury

It is important to recognise the role of the Arts on both a personal and societal scale. On a more
personal level, here’s why Arts matters to the self. The Trøndelag Health Study (The HUNT
study) conducted by the Norwegian University of Science and Technology found that
participants who actively engaged in the Arts were more satisfied with their lives, and more
importantly, had better mental health. “Appreciating the arts can occur in any scale or form, and
you don't have to be a highbrow connoisseur to be able to respond to, engage with and even
make your own art
An engaged Arts lover will have the intellectual curiosity and nimbleness of a creative
disposition: an individual who can imagine broader horizons,” mentioned Paul Tan, the deputy
CEO of the NAC in a Straits Times article. During these unprecedented times, youths should be
individuals who can “imagine broader horizons” and come up with innovative solutions. Critical
thinking is shaped through the participation of Arts events, and as Singaporeans are exposed to
various interpretations, they gradually become more perceptive in the way they observe the
world.

Influencing change in the world today

● A form of cultural and social reflection
● Notable films:
○ “Black Panther”: first superhero film with a predominantly BLack cast and Black
director, explored themes of identity, representation and empowerment and
became a global phenomenon
○ No more bets (2023 release) is based on true happenings, depicting how
youngsters who sought after lucrative money left their home country in China to
seek faster cash who were ultimately trapped in a foreign land and forced into
doing online gambling frauds

Others
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