<research> Hong Kong and Singapore (1)
Until now, many Japanese newspapers and companies asked me about Singapore. Hong Kong is my favorite city but it is very complex. Let’s think about many problems of contemporary art through HK and SG!
In January 2017, I was in Singapore. It wasn't my first time in Singapore.
Some Japanese curators (public museum workers) once asked me, "Do someone pick you up at the airport?". They and I are quite different. Usually, my way is not fixed schedule and I have to talk to the artist I meet for the first time by myself. Even so, I went to the art fair first.
Art Stage Singapore 2017
In Asia in 2017, art fairs in Singapore and Hong Kong were still strong. I got tired of the "for sale" artworks, so I went to see art events taking place all over the town.
After that I ran into Joseph, who is local artist. He was doing “printmaking workshop” in the heart of Singapore.
Contemporary Printmaking Festival 2017, Singpore
I interviewed him (and wrote an article on the Kansai Art Beat). Then we talked lively and he said, "we are having another printmaking workshop tonight, come there if you are OK".
In the evening, I went there and I was shocked.
Another printmaking workshop in Singapore
Many people were making boards for prints in a small place! I have never met a local Singaporean artist like Joseph. I really realized that I had ever seen Singaporean art is only Singaporean "art fair" art. It means that art world people say "Singapore (art) is interesting" does not include local artists.
The same goes for Hong Kong, and people who saw Art Basel Hong Kong 2023 are starting to notice it little by little. I will write about it later.