Arts Picks: Helen Frankenthaler’s prints, Sayang audio drama, Citrus fest
Helen Frankenthaler: Prints 1977-2004
Close to 40 print works by esteemed American artist Helen Frankenthaler (1928-2011) will be on show at the STPI – Creative Workshop & Gallery as part of its annual special exhibition, which showcases some of the most significant artists who work with printmaking and papermaking.
One of Frankenthaler’s woodcut print masterpieces, the spectacular Madame Butterfly (2000), is a triptych featuring 102 colours, which challenged the possibilities of the woodcut medium. Constructed from 46 woodblocks, the triptych – from the collection of the Helen Frankenthaler Foundation – combines Eastern and Western printmaking styles that radiate with an otherwordly glow.
Another highlight is Gateway (Screen) (1988), which is part of Singapore’s National Collection. Frankenthaler worked with her long-time collaborator, American master painter Kenneth Tyler – the namesake of STPI (formerly Singapore Tyler Print Institute) – to create this work over seven years.
Ms Elizabeth Smith, executive director of the Helen Frankenthaler Foundation, says of the exhibition: “With a collaborative spirit that is deeply rooted in STPI’s residency programme today, Frankenthaler’s 26-year artistic partnership with Ken Tyler redefined her own printmaking practice to capture her signature symphony of colours and fluid abstractions, producing the many ground-breaking works featured in this exhibition.”
Where: STPI – Creative Workshop & Gallery, 41 Robertson QuayMRT: Fort CanningWhen: June 29 to Aug 25; Mondays to Saturdays, 10am to 7pm; Sundays, 11am to 5pm; closed on public holidaysAdmission: Free
Info: str.sg/uAMz
Sayang by Andas Productions
The most enthralling part of Andas Productions’ Sayang is, undeniably, its enthralling soundscape by sound designer Nathaniel Mah. PHOTO: COURTESY OF ANDAS PRODUCTIONS
A new queer solarpunk audio drama by Singapore-based storytellers tells the story of Eko, a warden of the Bornean forest, who is losing his sight and hopes to adopt a risky experimental technology that would make him one with his ecosystem.
The love between Eko (Nicholas Chan) and Ajish (Shrey Bhargava) in the face of ecological disaster is gripping from start to end and is well worth the 33 minutes on your morning commute. Lovers of science fiction with a strong South-east Asian setting will find this an aural treat.
The most enthralling part of Sayang is, undeniably, its immersive soundscape. In filling out the imaginary landscape that hosts growling tigers and ulin trees (Bornean ironwood), sound designer Nathaniel Mah combines a lush futuristic score with the rich chatter of a living forest.
It is based on a short story by Nicholas Chan – whose voice might be familiar as he played Demetrius in Singapore Theatre Company’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream – and directed by Renee Young, who helmed American playwright Paula Vogel’s How I Learned To Drive at the Esplanade in April.
Andas Productions is the group behind the first Webby-nominated fiction podcast from Asia – Temujin. Sayang is a refreshing departure from Temujin, which is a historical fiction audio drama about the rise of Mongolian warrior-ruler Genghis Khan and the fall of his closest friend.
Sayang is released under the group’s Andas Presents banner, which is its home for one-shot audio stories in collaboration with local and regional artists.
Also available on the platform is a three-minute lyrical reimagining of the poem Fever Dream by poet Sandesh Kaur Sambhi.
Where: Available on SpotifyAdmission: Free
Info: str.sg/etsC
Citrus Fest
Artistes Irfan Kasban and Zarina Muhammad have organised a Rest & Digest Corner, which serves as a space to decompress. PHOTO: COURTESY OF IRFAN KASBAN AND ZARINA MUHAMMAD
A series of conversations and workshops about wellness in the arts takes centre stage at Citrus fest, which has a slate of activities centred on care, intimacy, trauma-informed and safer practices in the arts.
“The act of caring is sometimes associated with heaviness and a sense of burden. We strongly believe, however, that care for arts workers can be done in ways that are communal, playful and even shiok,” co-directors Chong Gua Khee and Hoo Kuan Cien told The Straits Times in a statement.
In the panel The Artist Is Apparent, the topic of parenting and caregiving as arts workers is the focus of a sharing by artists and researchers. It takes place on June 29 at 3pm at 42 Waterloo Street.
Between June 28 and 30, artists Zarina Muhammad and Irfan Kasban have created a Rest & Digest Corner, which serves as a space to decompress between a busy day’s schedule. Attendees are invited to reflect and respond to the thoughts of other visitors in this communal space of listening.
The festival is organised by Citrus practices in partnership with the National Arts Council’s Arts Resource Hub, and is part of Wellness Festival Singapore 2024.
Where: 42 Waterloo StreetMRT: Bras BasahWhen: June 28 to 30, various timingsAdmission: Free
Info: citruspractices.sg