BBC Global News’ in-house branded content division, BBC StoryWorks, has teamed up with the National Arts Council, Singapore to showcase the work of Singaporean artists.
BBC StoryWorks ran a multi-platform social media crowdsourcing campaign to gather together users’ favourite memories of Singapore. Its audience was asked to share their favourite memories of the city state including places they have visited, meals they have eaten and activities that they have taken part in around Singapore. Of the entries, 37 most inspiring memories that best showcased the diversity of Singapore and the many vibrant offerings of the city were selected.
BBC StoryWorks worked with Singapore’s creative producer and curator, Racy Lim to identify 37 artists to develop artworks which responded to these memories. These up and coming artists were picked not only for the quality of their work but also the innovativeness of their artistic styles.
To complement the artworks, four Augmented Reality (AR) filters which layer over real-life images of camera displays were also created to provide an immersive digital experience; the filters let social media audiences interact with selected artwork from the campaign and encourage users to have fun with art. By creating these custom AR filters on Instagram, the campaign is given an additional organic source of engagement and brand recall.
The Singapore Memories exhibition is part of NAC’s #SGCultureAnywhere campaign and is an initiative to create a digitally crowdsourced art exhibit that is held on a bespoke microsite on BBC.com. The exhibition encourages audiences from diverse backgrounds to enjoy arts and culture digitally while exploring a new side to Singapore, and to see it through the eyes of its people, sightseers, vacationers and young Singaporean artists.
Nicci Elliot, Director, BBC StoryWorks APAC says: “We’re delighted to be working on such a creative project with the NAC. Following the developments of the Covid-19 pandemic and its impact on the local arts community, we’re really excited and proud to be providing additional opportunities for local artists and practitioners to have their work showcased. Working with such talented local artists has been a pleasure and a privilege, one we hope to continue on future projects.”
Paul Tan, Deputy Chief Executive (Planning and Corporate Development), NAC says: “Collaborations like Singapore Memories are timely reminders that Singapore’s diverse arts offerings have the potential to be experienced anywhere and anytime, and transcend distance and physical boundaries. We look forward to more arts lovers around the world getting a better understanding of Singapore’s multicultural make up and how our artists are navigating today’s complex world.”
Featured artworks include:
ARAIKREVA SHALLOTS & GARLIC
The wet market is where a community comes together. In SHALLOTS & GARLIC, the artist pays tribute to this space, as well as to the Malay folklore Bawang Merah Bawang Putih, which translates to shallots and garlic – the foundation of our cuisine.
Clarrot_ 50 MHZ
Bugis Street Market and its lights are a familiar sight to us. In 50 MHZ, the artist uses these circuit and matrix panels to create a maze-like image. The artwork references the social and economic aspirations behind such spaces. The lights remind us of the transient nature of such pursuits.
FREAKYFIR THE GREAT CROSSING
A cable car ride from Mount Faber to Sentosa is reimagined with an homage to old Singapore stamp illustrations. The artist recollects childhood memories of his epic journey over a large body of water with a view of the majestic Merlion.
Reza Hasni MEET ME AT THE VOID DECK
Playing games, attending weddings and even funerals – the “void deck” of Singapore’s public housing is familiar terrain for families. The artist uses a technicolour collage to bring these memories to life – especially the one of “block-catching” with neighbours, a local game many Singaporeans played in their childhoods. MEET ME AT THE VOID DECK shows how public architecture is more than just about physical homes; as homes to our childhood memories, they too shape our identities as a community.
Wu Yanrong STIR-FRY ME A SUNDAY AFTERNOON
Eating ice cream and chilli crab while swinging in the playground – STIR-FRY ME A SUNDAY AFTERNOON shows how contrasting qualities of warm and cold, and sweet and spicy, come together to create a comforting experience.
