The ninth edition of the multidisciplinary public arts festival ARTWALK returns to the streets of Little India and Katong-Joo Chiat from 6 to 15 January 2023.
Singapore Art Week (SAW) launches in 2 days, and its crowd favourite activation is finally back on the streets —where it was first presented in 2015 and where it was always meant to be. Jointly organised by LASALLE College of the Arts (LASALLE) and Singapore Tourism Board (STB) with the support of the Little India Shopkeepers and Heritage Association (LISHA), this multidisciplinary public arts festival will come alive for from 6 to 15 January through a multi-sensory experience of murals, workshops, music and performances.
ARTWALK 2023 explores the theme of “echo” — how our culture, heritage and traditions reverberate like sound waves. Culture is in a constant flux, never stagnant, so the contemporary artists here call on audiences to try to see our cultural heritage in a fresh light, breathing new life into the spaces and histories of the Little India and Katong-Joo Chiat precincts.
Anatomical Reverberation; Recollections of you from a distance by Soph O
Curator Mr Milenko Prvacki, Senior Fellow, LASALLE College of the Arts, said: “What I hope visitors take away from this year’s ARTWALK is that through contemporary art and expression, we can find ways to echo our cultural heritage. To pay tribute, and draw inspiration from it. This is how we can preserve traditions, but also how our culture can keep growing and evolving in the years to come.”
Ms Lim Shoo Ling, Director, Arts & Cultural Precincts, Singapore Tourism Board, said: “We look forward to welcoming ARTWALK with full on-site programming at the precincts, where visitors can immerse themselves in a variety of multi-sensory art experiences. Events like these bring to life the rich stories of our cultural precincts, uncover hidden gems for both locals and international visitors, and add to our vibrant events calendar—all of which reinforce our position as an attractive leisure destination.”
Rachel and the Rempah Runaways: A dinner theatre experience By Strawberries Inc. and Patch and Punnet
At Katong-Joo Chiat, look forward to new murals by artist Mohammed Zulkarnaen Othman (or ZERO) and Soph O, with their works entitled Dekat di mata, Jauh di hati at 290A Joo Chiat Road and Anatomical Reverberation; Recollections of you from a distance at 471 Joo Chiat Road respectively. Those looking for a more immersive experience can join the pop-up dinner theatre experience at Peranakan Inn, which combines the best of live theatre by Strawberries Inc. and Patch and Punnet with a delectable five-course meal. Or, get creative with the pop-up art-jamming workshop by Artefakts and learn the basic techniques of carving and create a stamp with a Peranakan Motif.
Stamp Carving Workshop By ARTEFAKTS
Over at Little India, expect to see new mural additions by artist Laurie Maravilla (commonly known as SPAZ), whose mural Baoli Reverb at Indian Heritage Centre contextualises the architecture of Baoli wells, restoring these heritage structures to their original function — to bring water to everyone who needs it. Another new mural to look forward to is Tapestry of Saree 2040 by the creative studio Mural Lingo. Found along 68 Serangoon Road, it depicts a narrative about culture, legacy and the future, drawing inspiration from its immediate vicinity of Little India.
Tapestry of Saree 2040 by Mural Lingo
Under a line-up of engaging and dynamic performances, look forward to Damaru Singapore, back for its third time as part of the festival’s programme with a refreshed and contemporary twist to their performances; Liminal States by students from the Diploma in Dance programme at LASALLE, an experimental piece that reflects Little India’s constant state of transition; a site-specific piece Origin by Mark Nicodemus Tan brings to life mythical characters through music, dance, poetry and theatre at various stops in the district.
Liminal States By LASALLE College of the Arts Diploma in Dance students and Milenko Prvacki
Other highlights include sessions with storyteller Kamini Ramachandran, a long-time ARTWALK favourite, who will lead a cultural tour and experience that centres around the harvest festival Pongal. Audiences will get to experience not just the sights and sounds of the surrounding area, but also a curated gastronomic experience with dishes traditionally made during Pongal.
Celebrating the Harvest: Cultural tour and experience By Kamini Ramachandran
For more details of the ARTWALK 2023 programme, click here. Once you’re done with this story, click here to catch up with our December/January 2023 issue.
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