(Singapore, 2 March 2021) Pasir Ris has long offered respite from the hustle and bustle of city life since its days as a kampung and recreational fishing town. This March, discover stories of the community and enjoy the charm of this neighbourhood with Arts in Your Neighbourhood (AYN). Organised by the National Arts Council, this season will take place from 11 to 28 March 2021.
Presented in-person and online, AYN features a total of 10 arts programmes including visual arts installations, music performances and multi-disciplinary experiences co-created with a diverse group of artists, arts organisations and community partners. Inspired by the stories, the people and the environs of Pasir Ris, this season’s programmes will allow visitors to experience every day spaces transformed into art canvases in a visual arts walking trail around the neighbourhood, take part in a digital choose-your-own-adventure story game and see Pasir Ris through a pinhole camera from inside a roving truck. People from all around the island are encouraged to enjoy and experience the town through the arts while connecting with the community through shared stories.
Some of the key highlights from the AYN March 2021 programme include:
The Puppeteer Prepares by The Finger Players
Film premiere: 20 March, Saturday, 10am-10.45am, @NACSingapore on Facebook
Exhibition: 20-28 March, Pasir Ris Public Library
In a special puppetry film, take a behind-the-scenes look at ways artists and makers have been coping in the past year with the pandemic. Pulling together narratives of strength and resilience from the community, watch stories of individuals trying to bridge gaps between one another, and of a family finding new ways to stay together, all brought to life through the age-old art of puppetry.
Complementing the film is an exhibition at Pasir Ris Public Library where visitors can find out more about puppetry as an artform and follow the creation journey of a puppet from sketches on paper to how it comes to life in the puppeteer’s hands.
Kotak Foto by 3Pumpkins
Dates: 13-14 March and 18-21 March (Saturday-Sunday), 10am-12pm and 2pm-5pm,
Place: Pasir Ris Park Area 2
Experience Pasir Ris in ways you have never before, as Kotak Foto (Photo Box) invites you into the magical world of pinhole photography! Hop into the back of a 14-foot truck converted into a pinhole camera box and immerse yourself in the kaleidoscopic sights and sounds of the neighbourhood, then visit the pop-up interactive installations at Pasir Ris Park to create your own pinhole images!
The programme is produced with lead artist Isabelle Desjeux, music composer Phang Kok Jun and families who reside in Pasir Ris.
PODSCAPE – Sounds & Stories of the City: HELLO PASIR RIS! by Shophouse & Co
Dates: 20, 21 March (Saturday, Sunday), 10am-5pm,
Location: Pasir Ris Park (Near Carpark E, Adjacent to Fitness Corner)
PODSCAPE — Sounds and Stories of The City returns for Season 2 in Pasir Ris! Visit the striking yellow mobile recording booth nestled under the lush greenery of Pasir Ris Park, to record your stories, memories and anecdotes of the neighbourhood. This season, the pop-up will feature an exciting mix of immersive storytelling soundscapes made from objects found in Pasir Ris, collaborative foley creations, and a "new normal" musical experience in a public park! Then get to explore the neighbourhood on the go through the PODSCAPE Podcast, available on Spotify too.
The Story Of A Place Is In Its Name curated by Stacy Huang and Susanna Tan
Dates: 11-28 March
In this visual arts walking trail, five Singaporean artists tell the story of Pasir Ris with individual works that transform everyday spaces of the neighbourhood - from the void decks and lift lobby at Pasir Ris Street 11 to the Coffee Shop at Pasir Ris Drive 6. Curated by artists Stacy Huang & Susanna Tan, the series of installations draws inspiration from the sights and memories of Pasir Ris and its name that echoes a literal white sandy beach.
The trail features works by artists Jamie Teo, Divaagar, Ernest Goh, Henry Lee and Perception3 (Regina De Rozario and Seah Sze Yunn), and find out more on @thestoryofaplaceisinitsname Instagram page.
Api Api’s Dreams by SYNDICATE
Place: White Sands Shopping Centre
Head down to White Sands Shopping Mall to be enthralled by a light projection display on the building façade, set to original soundscape compositions. Experience the sights and sounds of Pasir Ris in this piece as sound recordings taken on an evening walk along Sungei Api Api are woven into original compositions by music artists to accompany the projection.
The project display features works by artists Marc Gabriel Loh, OnlyHuan, Anise, and Claude Glass.
Besides offering new ways to experience Pasir Ris through visual arts, stories, and installations, AYN also presents a symphony of audio works for a complete, multi-sensory arts experience. In a specially curated 40-minute digital programme Dendang Warisan (Songs of Heritage), audiences can listen to a new song about Pasir Ris inspired by students of the neighbourhood. Audiences can also revisit Pasir Ris’ kampung life through a blend of traditional Indian music and jazz by award-winning Indo-ASEAN jazz ensemble Brahmastra, and indulge in an orchestral performance by the Asian Cultural Symphony Orchestra inspired by the sounds of birds, beaches, and natural world of Pasir Ris.
Admission is free for all events. Members of the public will be required to follow existing safe distancing measures when attending outdoor programmes and practise personal social responsibility.
ORDER HERE: fcowanmedia@gmail.com : Or go to Amazon: The Orange-Sofa: Unicorn Eyes: Walking Home: