Blueprint of a Garden City, digital artwork, 2020
presented in the online exhibition #NEVERBEFORESG, presented by the National Museum of Singapore presents #NEVERBEFORESG and curated by Yang Derong, an exhibition that explores our state of mind during this global pandemic.
Blueprint of a Garden City, 2020
When we talk about crafting the Garden City, we sometimes forget the indigenous species that are inherent part of the green fabric – the mimosa plant. During the Circuit Breaker, I delighted myself in disturbing the mimosa plant that has been sprouting in sidewalks and unassuming patches of open field. Drawing upon this as a metaphor, I allude the accommodation of workers in Singapore to this plant due to its inherent characteristics – able to respond immediately to threats, its existence on its own and in clusters, and its ability to be scattered within different parts of the green. Much like the plant, foreign workers are a key component of our ecosystem, its importance often taken for granted. It is envisioned that, instead of centralised dormitories, the accommodation of the workers develop organically across the different parts of Singapore, perhaps allowing more breathing space between the clusters, and perhaps, becoming a more integral part of the society.
About the exhibition
The unprecedented Novel Coronavirus pandemic or known as COVID-19, has affected everyone in ways big and small. This pandemic has triggered an abrupt global standstill, with no nation spared including Singapore. As the recovery period appears indefinite, the situation drives us to re-evaluate how we live our lives whilst transitioning to a “new normal” as the world slowly begins to rebuild itself.
#NEVERBEFORESG addresses the impact of COVID-19 in Singapore and serves as a visual documentation seen through the eyes of 87 creatives. The series of artworks capture the state of mind of the nation and its people and is charted in the different phases since the announcement of the Circuit Breaker (distancing) measures in Singapore. The artworks and creative expressions share thought-provoking reflections and the myriad of mutual emotions that unveil hopes, fears and anxieties experienced during these challenging times
Curated by Yang Derong, #NEVERBEFORESG is driven by a situation as the pandemic, as creativity forces one to think outside of the norm to continue to be creative and innovative. Creativity acts as essential light to better see and help navigate the world in new ways. Though the COVID-19 crisis has had a severe emotional and economic impact on the creative landscape, this allows the opportunity for artists and creatives to regroup and reinvent themselves like never before in this new normal. Presented on an online digital platform, #NEVERBEFORESG visually brings this creative experience to the audiences in the comfort of their homes.
Expressed in 9 chapters, #NEVERBEFORESG echoes how art is an essential form of healing and recovery. It provides solace in times of need and serving as tie that bond people together. This gathering of soul warming artworks pay tribute to the both the essential and non-essential, reinforcing the importance of creativity and compassion in these dark hours as we head out to the new world.
#NEVERBEFORESG is presented through 9 chapters that showcase a multitude of 140 artworks by 91 creatives in solidarity, capturing the psyche of this unprecendented crisis.
link here: https://www.nhb.gov.sg/nationalmuseum/our-exhibitions/exhibition-list/never-before