PRESS

ART STAGE SINGAPORE 2012 HITS THE MARK

 

16 JANUARY 2012, SINGAPORE – The sophomore edition of Art Stage Singapore 2012, Asia’s global art gathering, closed on Sunday, 15 January 2012. Despite a challenging economic situation, there were many important sales made at the fair.  Some of them included:

 

• Michael Schultz Gallery sold an “Abstraktes Bild (Abstract Painting)” by Gerhard Richter for US$1.52 million (S$2 million)
• Haunch of Venison sold a number of Gonkar Gyatso works  including the “Dissected Buddha”, 2011, for US$200,000 (S$260,000), as well as an undisclosed piece for US$400,000 (S$518,000)
• Gajah Gallery sold two paintings by I Nyoman Masriadi for US$350,000 (S$453,000)
• Linda Gallery sold a work by Indonesian artist Srihardi Soedarsono for US$232,000 (S$300,000)
• De Sarthe Gallery sold a few sculptures by Bernar Venet for US$100,000 (S$130,000)
• Galerie Perrotin sold MR’s “Desktop of My Mind”, 2011, for US$240,000 (S$311,000)
• Galerie EIGEN + ART sold the “Nervositat” piece by Martin Eder for US$86,000 (S$112,000)
• ESLITE Gallery sold a Wong Hoy Cheong work for US$88,500 (S$115,000)
• Lehmann  Maupin sold a neon lighted sculpture by Tracey Emin for US$70,000 (S$109,000) among others
• Volte Gallery sold out most of its Ranbir Kaleka and Sheba Chhachhi pieces
• OV Gallery sold three pieces from their Project Stage booth by Wang Taocheng
• Xin Dong Cheng Space for Contemporary Art sold three pieces by Shi Jianmin (China)
• Etc

 

Art Stage Singapore 2012 also once again proved to be the meeting point and get-together of the who’s w`ho of the Asian art world, including the collectors, the curators and, most especially, the artists. And with the fair’s very own Collectors Club, Art Stage Singapore has established itself as the matchmaking platform and get-together point of the continent – building the necessary bridges between all the Asian and international art scenes. In fact, some of the leading Asian galleries announced that they will be opening new spaces and branches in Singapore in the near future.

The fair received a total of 31,000 visitors that came to view the 133 galleries on show. A total of 101 of these galleries were in the general booth area, while 43 of these galleries were at the Project Stage platform – the space dedicated to emerging artists. Representing 19 countries, over 600 artists’ works were on display in the three halls of Basement 2 at the Marina Bay Sands Convention and Exhibition Centre.

 

-END-

 

 

——————————-

 

ART STAGE SINGAPORE 2012: THE SECOND EDITION OPENS WITH A HIGH-QUALITY, AUTHENTICALLY ASIAN SHOW

 

 

11 JANUARY 2012 – Art Stage Singapore 2012, Asia-Pacific’s premier international contemporary Asian art fair, opens its second edition at Marina Bay Sands Convention and Exhibition Centre from 12 to 15 January.  Its Vernissage Day opening welcomed 8,000 collectors, professionals and art lovers at its exclusive VIP Preview.

 

The Asian Art Fair: We are Asia!

 

With 133 participating galleries from 19 countries and over 50 special projects and presentations, Art Stage Singapore 2012 shows the most important, interesting and stunning of the Asia Pacific’s artistic creativity. It is Asia’s necessary response to the market, a top event with a strong Asian identity. The fair supports and defends the interests of Asian artists and galleries by elevating them to a level of international importance, by positioning them as strong and competitive players of the global market.

 

Art in Context

 

The fair aims to showcase art in an artistic context by supporting special projects and presentations: Asian galleries are juxtaposed against a limited amount of carefully selected Western top galleries. Its focus has always been directed toward quality over quantity and this year there has been a substantial jump in the quality of presentations and the level of presenting exhibitors. This year’s applications had to pass even more stringent and rigorous admission criteria, therefore there is a definite difference and improvement in the quality of works and projects.

 

High-Profile Exhibitors

 

Only in its second year, the fair has managed to attract new, high profile exhibitors including: prestigious international galleries such as Galerie Eigen+Art (Leipzig/Berlin), Ben Brown Fine Arts (London, Hong  Kong), Lehmann Maupin (New York), Victoria Miro (London), White Cube (London), etc; leading Asian galleries such as Gana Art Gallery (Seoul/Busan), Gallery Hyundai (Seoul), Mizuma Art Gallery (Tokyo), Ota Fine Art (Tokyo), Tang Contemporary Art (Bangkok/Hong Kong/Beijing), etc; and interesting young Asian galleries such as Takashi Murakami’s Kaikai Kiki Gallery (Tokyo, Taipei).

 

Project Stage: The best of Asia’s emerging artists

 

Jumping from 30 entries last year to 40 this year, the fair’s Project Stage platform is the go-to place for the discovery of rising Asian stars in the world. For the 2012 edition, the works here will be even stronger and more impressive than in the year before – several of which feature site-specific projects, stunning installations and innovative concepts.

Education and Events Programme

 

Art Stage Singapore presents a series of expert talks and discussions that aims to offer comprehensive insight on current trends and developments taking place in Asia by leading curators, critics, artists and professionals working in the field of contemporary art.

 

The series offers an up-to-date overview of contemporary art in Asia, the influence of globalisation on various arts cities and how this is reflected in the art and culture that we see and experience today in the region. At a broader level, discover the complex relationships between Asia and the international art world at large. On the ground, expect a close look at the rapid development of the different, fragmented art scenes of the many countries which make up Asia, from its major players such as China, to Southeast Asia’s diverse art scenes, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines.

 

“We Are Asia” ad campaign

For the first time in the history of the art industry, the world’s leading collectors of Asian Contemporary Art are standing behind and representing an international art fair, Art Stage Singapore. For its second edition, Art Stage Singapore 2012  produced a campaign with the theme and tagline “We Are Asia”. With its strong Asian identity, ArtSS12 is Asia‘s necessary and perfect response to the demands of an increasingly globalised art world. The fair has taken the role of Asian art advocate by supporting and defending the interests of Asian artists and galleries by elevating them to a level of international importance, and by positioning them as strong and competitive players in the global market. It’s because of this strong association with Asian art, that Art Stage Singapore has teamed up with like-minded Asian art lovers who share similar passions for supporting the region’s growing art scene. Participating Asian Contemporary Arts Collectors include:

 

Kim Chang-Il (Korea)

Deddy Kusuma (Indonesia)

Pearl Lam (China)

Sylvain & Dominique Levy (France)

Daisuke Miyatsu (Japan)

Lekha & Anupam Poddar (India)

Dr Oei Hong Djien (Indonesia)

Qiao Zhibin (China)

Uli Sigg (Switzerland)

Dr Woffles Wu (Singapore)

Yang Bin (China)

Out of the ordinary art fair

Art Stage Singapore is definitely not a typical art fair – people will find not just smaller and commercially-popular art pieces on exhibition within the participating galleries’ booths, but they can also expect to see – and participate in – performances and interactive projects such as the Gao Brothers’ “World Hug Day” (presented by Vue Privee, Singapore); many spectacular large-scale installations including like the specially created works by world-renowned Antony Gormley (presented by London’s White Cube); and, inspired by the fair’s eye-catching publicity campaign, established Thai artist Navin Rawanchaikul created especially for Art Stage Singapore a new 12m long painting, titled, “We are Asia!” (presented by Yavuz Fine Art, Singapore).

 

Large-scale installations and works

 

For its sophomore edition, Art Stage Singapore 2012 presents even more significant and stunning large installation works than before. From intricately detailed sculptures to huge paintings, there is a wide spectrum of awe-inspiring pieces to experience at this year’s fair. There is the 4m wide “Artificial Moon” by Wang Yuyang (presented by Gallery Yang, Beijing) made from 4,500 energy-saving lightbulbs, the 2.3M x 7m x 3.5 installation “Daily Incantations”  by the late Chen Zhen (presented by De Sarthe Gallery, Hong Kong), the huge multimedia installation “Ghost Transmemoir” by Bose Krishnamachari (pressented by Exhibit 320, New Delhi), “The Bicyclist” by Zhu Jinshi (presented by Pearl Lam Galleries, Shanghai), and more.

 

1. Antony Gormley, “Drift V”, 2010 and “Drift VIII”, 2011, Presented by WHITE CUBE, London/Hong Kong (Booth A2-01)
2. Yan Pei-Ming, “Indonesian Women”, 2010-2011, Presented by MASSIMO DE CARLO, Milan/London (Booth C2-04)
3. Zhang Huan, “Paintings of Sage’s Traces No.1”, 2011, Presented by PEARL LAM GALLERIES, Shanghai (Booth A4-01)
4. Rirkrit Tiravanija, “Untitled 2008-2011 (the map of the land of feeling) I-III”, 2008-2011 Presented by IKKAN ART GALLERY, Singapore (Booth A1-02)
5. Chen Zhen, “Daily Incantations” 1996, Presented by DE SARTHE GALLERY, Hong Kong (Booth C6-05)
6. Ranbir Kaleka, “Crossings”, 2005, Presented by VOLTE GALLERY, Mumbai (Booth C4-02)
7. Alfredo & Isabel Aquilizan, In-Habit, 2011, Presented by THE DRAWING ROOM, Manila (Booth A2-04)
8. Navin Rawanchaikul, “NAVINLAND NEEDS YOU: WE ARE ASIA!”, 2012, Courtesy of Navin Production and YAVUZ FINE ART, Singapore (Booth A2-03) In collaboration with Art Stage Singapore 2012
9. Mithu Sen, “Nothing Lost in Translation 1-5”, 2008, Presented by NATURE MORTE, New Delhi/ Berlin (Booth C3-07) and GALERIE STEPH, Singapore
10. THEY (Tamen), “Lost Paradise 1”, 2009-2010, and “Lost Paradise 2”, 2010-2011 Presented by PIN GALLERY, Beijing (Booth D4-01)
11. Bose Krishnamachari, “Ghost Transmemoir”, 2008, Presented by EXHIBIT 320, New Delhi (Booth B3-06)
12. Zhu Jinshi, “The Bicyclist”, 2008, PEARL LAM GALLERIES, Shanghai (Booth A4-01)
13. Yuan Goang-Ming, “Disappearing Landscape–Passing II”, 2011, Presented by TKG+, Taipei/Beijing (Booth B1-09)
14. Li Hui, “Cracking”, 2011, Presented by ARARIO GALLERY, Cheonan/Seoul/Beijing (Booth C2-01)
15. Yang Jiechang, “I Still Remember”, 1998-2004, Presented by TANG CONTEMPORARY ART, Bangkok/Hong Kong/Beijing (Booth A6-01)
16. Keith Haring, “Julia”, 1987, Presented by BEN BROWN FINE ARTS, London/Hong Kong (Booth A3-02)
17. Wang Yuyang, “Artificial Moon”, 2007, Presented by GALLERY YANG, Beijing (Booth B5-05), Part of Project Stage
18. Handiwirman Saputra, “Tak Berakar, Tak Berpucuk #09” (“No Roots, No Shoots”), 2011, Presented by CGARTSPACE, Jakarta
19. Tisna Sanjaya, “Amnesia Cultura”, 2008, Presented by ART:1 BY MONDECOR GALLERY, Jakarta (Booth A6-03)
20. Robert Indiana, “LOVE”, 1966-2002, Presented by GALLERY HYUNDAI, Seoul (Booth D1-01)

Singapore Platform: “Island Allegories”

 

Realised with the support of National Arts Council for the second consecutive year, Art Stage Singapore 2012 showcases the best of Singapore contemporary art through a dedicated exhibition platform. Art historian, writer and curator, Charles Merewether has handpicked three young rising stars for the second edition of this special project. Titled Island Allegories, the show features the works of three Singapore-based artists – Ng Joon Kiat, Zhao Renhui and Betty Susiarjo – whose art can be read as allegorical and arguably a critical counterpoint to other local and dominant artistic tendencies. The exhibition draws on three very distinct forms of artistic practice, not often associated with one another. The art of each artist creates a form of symbolic surplus and space for reflection that extend beyond that experienced through an immediate sense experience of matter, form or subject.

 

 

-END-

 

 

 

 

 

———————-

 

 

EXPERIENCE SPECTACULAR LARGE INSTALLATION WORKS

AT ART STAGE SINGAPORE 2012

December 2011 – For its sophomore edition, Art Stage Singapore 2012 presents even more significant and stunning large installation works than before. From intricately detailed sculptures to huge paintings, there is a wide spectrum of awe-inspiring pieces to experience at this year’s fair. Here are a few of the highlights that visitors can expect at the fairgrounds:

INSTALLATIONS

“Artificial Moon” (2007) by Wang Yuyang (China) 

Presented by Gallery Yang, Beijing

In a poetic way, the “Artificial Moon” has been described to “draw attention to the collision between the ‘natural’ and the ‘artificial’, commenting on how the timeless phenomena of the stars and the moon are becoming increasingly obscured by the light pollution common in many contemporary cities”. Made from over 4,500 energy-saving bulbs, this stunning installation measures 4m in diameter and its bulbs were strategically designed to mimic the real moon’s craters and surface features. Located in the VIP Lounge of the Art Stage Singapore 2012 fairgrounds, the area surrounding the Artificial Moon was specifically designed around the piece in order to accommodate its sheer beauty. This the second large-scale project for rising, young Chinese new media artist Wang Yuyang , whose practice involves highly conceptual installation, photography and video.

“Daily Incantations” (1996) by the late Chen Zhen (China)

Presented by de Sarthe Gallery, Hong Kong

Chinese artist Chen Zhen was one of the country’s first major installation artists. Trained in Shanghai and Paris, he began creating stunning projects made from everyday objects like beds, cots, mattresses, bowls and other things. Best known for his Taoist meditations on life, he experimented with ideas that questioned the relationship between man and his surrounding objects. Even though he passed away in 2000 after a long bout with cancer, his work lives on. “Daily Incantations” was a sculptural installation inspired by his personal experience in Shanghai during the period of the Cultural Revolution. Made from 101 nightstools (Chinese chamber pots) that the artist and his friends purchased on the streets of Shanghai, the nightstools are suspended from a large structure reminiscent of an ancient Chinese instrument. In its centre is a large globe completely covered with old radios, televisions, telephones, and other debris of electronic communication. All the while, sounds of Chinese women ritually cleaning can be heard from speakers within the work.

“Ghost Transmemoir” (2008) by Bose Krishnamachari (India)

Presented by Exhibit 320, New Delhi

Well-known Indian artist Bose Krishnamachari is both an artist and curator whose practice includes bold abstract paintings, figurative drawings, sculpture, photography and multimedia installations. Though his work is often stylistically varied, a common thread throughout is his critique of power structures within the art world and in contemporary society. The large-scale multimedia installation Ghost / Transmemoir 2008 takes a different approach to mapping Mumbai. Designed with 108 used tiffin boxes suspended from a frame and wired with headphones and miniature screens, it focuses on these nondescript boxes. Tiffin boxes play a central role in Indian life, with millions being filled daily by housewives, collected, exchanged, re-exchanged and sorted until the right home-cooked lunch reaches the right office-worker. The installation captures some of the buzz and chaos of Mumbai streets, while the small screens flash man-on-the-street interviews that share people’s thoughts, celebrations, frustrations, religions and emotions, and are a reminder of the individual voices and stories to be found amongst a total of 20.8 million Mumbaikar.

“The Bicyclist” (2008) by Zhu Jinshi (China)

Presented by Pearl Lam Galleries, Shanghai

Made from bamboo and 16 bicycles, “The Bicyclist” presents bamboo as a traditional water transportation tool by having them tied to the wheels of a bicycle. Though its wheels cannot move while on land, movement is free and focused on water. The particular brand used in the piece is “Yong Jui” (Forever), a bicycle-maker founded in 1949, but gradually lost its value in the 1980s. The irony of its name versus its dissapearance from the consumer’s perspective lends itself to thought and reflection. Born in Beijing in 1954, Zhu spent over a decade living in Berlin, an experience that has left an indelible mark on his work. He’s experimented with numerous media, from photography and video to painting, installations and performance art, but one of his favoured themes is the play between East and West.

“Nothing Lost in Translation”(2008) by Mithu Sen (India)

Presented by Nature Morte, New Delhi, Berlin

Intimating her attraction to issues of femininity, interiority, and eroticism, Mithu Sen has drawn sexuality from living and inanimate objects with both sensitivity and political acumen during the first decade of her artistic career. Born in Bengal and educated at Santiniketan and the Glasgow School of Art, she has engaged drawing, sculpture, collage, and installation to flesh out thoughts interlaced with delicate, critical wit. Forming the centrepiece of the exhibition, the series “Nothing Lost in Translation” is the project of Sen’s residency in Japan in 2008. During this time, she made works for the exhibition Emotional Drawing at The National Museum of Modern Art in Tokyo, which then travelled to Kyoto and Seoul. Drawing from local and popular culture, the series confronts the viewer with visceral representations of bodies fused into hybrid creatures.

 

“Drift VIII” (2011) by Antony Gormley (UK)

Presented by White Cube, London

British sculptor and one of the world’s critically acclaimed and top international art superstars, Antony Gormley was named an Officer of the British Empire in 1997. Gormley has explored the relationship between the individual and the community in large-scale installations such as Allotment (1995), Domain Field (2003), Another Place (1997) and Inside Australia (2003). This year, he especially created a new work from his “Drift” series for his exhibition at Art Stage Singapore (presented by White Cube of London). Made from 2mm square sections of stainless steel, the intricate sculpture is true Gormley’s style – another one of his works from this same series can also be seen at the Marina Bay Sands Hotel lobby.

 

2D WORKS

“Lost Paradise 1” (2009-2010) and “Lost Paradise 2” (2010-2011) by THEY (China)

Presented by PIN Gallery (Beijing)

“THEY” is an artistic team, consisting of two young Chinese artists, Lai Shengyu and Yang Xiaogang, who have been working together since 2006. Known for their dramatic sense of delicacy and fantasy, they named themselves “THEY” in the sense of ‘the others’ as their work is not based on their own personal stories, but a reflection of Contemporary China. Their “Lost Paradise 1” (8m long) and “Lost Paradise 2” (10m long) paintings are both part of their “Cities Trilogy” series featuring Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong. They represent scenes of China’s last decade in the process of urbanisation showing the rapid development of the country’s economy in the background. These works encourage people to think about the common and essential problems of human nature, history and the future we all need to face.

“Untitled 2008-2011 (the map of the land of feeling) by Rirkrit Tiravanija (Thailand)

Presented by Ikkan Art Gallery (Singapore)

The internationally-renowned New York-based artist Tiravanija was born to Thai parents (his father was a diplomat) in Buenos Aires, Argentina and has lived in cities all over the world. This painting is the chronicle of Tiravanija’s last 20 years, and took him over three years to complete (the painting was finished in April 2011). It features reproductions of the artist’s passport pages that span two decades from 1988 to 2008 covering places he had visited, seen and experienced.      The project is a three-part scroll, 3ft (91cm) high and totaling 84ft (2,560 cm) in length, utilising a combination of techniques including screenprint, offset lithography, and inkjet print. The passports run as a central band through each of the three scrolls and underlay or overlap an assortment of images including: City maps, archeological and architectural sites, mazes, timezones, illustrations of urban flow, notebook pages and recipes.

 

 “We are Asia!” (2011) by Navin Rawanchaikul (Thailand)

Presented by Yavuz Fine Art, Singapore

Thai-based, India-born Rawanchaikul is an internationally recognised artist and even represented Thailand in the 54^th Venice Biennale. For Art Stage Singapore 2012, Yavuz Fine Art specially commissioned for exhibition an over 12m movie-style painting featuring the “Who’s Who” of the Asian art scene including significant artists, curators, collectors and other arts professional. Inspired by Art Stage Singapore 2012’s branding and key message of “We Are Asia”, this project is actually based on a similar work featuring the Chinese art scene “Super China!” (2009), which was exhibited at the Ullens Center for Contemporary Art in Beijing.

“I Still Remember” by Yang Jiechang (China)

Presented by Tang Contemporary Art, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Beijing

This Canton-born artist studied at the Institute of Popular Art in Foshan and later in Peking. His training was principally in traditional Chinese painting and the ancient technique of collage on paper. One of the artist’s main concerns has always been how to implant Chinese traditional painting, aesthetics and thought into a contemporary context. His unparalleled calligraphy skill is seen in this large six-panel wide (300cm x 173cm each), ink-on-paper work, which narrates in painstaking detail the names of his family, friends and acquaintances.

VIDEO INSTALLATIONS

 

“Crossings” (2005) by Ranbir Kaleka (India)

Presented by Volte Gallery, Mumbai

Innovative contemporary Indian artist Kaleka, whose practice revolves around producing art in an intermediate space between paintings and running visual (video),

overlays painting and video projections on a single surface creating an image of an inimitable quality. First shown at the Venice Biennale in the “iCon: India Contemporary” pavilion (2005), “Crossings” is a 15-minute loop of inter-related images that exemplify his confidence in painting’s ability to incorporate, but not be subsumed by, video. The video is based on a script Kaleka wrote about a Sikh man and his turban. The cultural and social symbol of the turban guides the momentum of the narrative as he dyes, ties and finally puts on the turban. Throughout the video, the colour of the turban morphs into vibrant forms; the concern with migration manifests a complex examination of progress and motion as visual qualities wherein the painted portions of the panels are revealed by tonal shifts in the video and by intermittent blank screens.

 

PERFORMANCE

 

“World Hug Day” by The Gao Brothers

Presented by Vue Privee, Singapore

Hugging in the name of art, “World Hug Day” (WHD) is a public performance initiated by the Gao Brothers in an attempt to bring strangers together. Known for their outspoken artistic expression, brother Zhen and Qiang have been collaborating since the 1980s to create impressive works using multimedia poetics that draw upon diverse languages such as performance, photography, painting and sculpture. The idea of “WHD” public performances is to gather a big group of people together, strangers to each other, and to choose one person at random to hug for a total of 15 minutes then later the whole group joins together to form a giant hugging cluster for an extra five minutes. It started in China in 2000, in the Shandong province, in various public locations all across the country, which later spread to other parts of the world including the USA, UK, France, Germany, Japan and now Singapore – this is happening alongside the fair on 14 Jan 2011 (Saturday), 9am at the Event Plaza at Marina Bay Sands (www.facebook.com/vueprivee/events).

 

 

-END-

 

ART STAGE SINGAPORE 2012 Unveils a List of Top-Quality Exhibitors and Stunning Special Projects 

November 2011 – Art Stage Singapore 2012 is proud to present a lineup of world-class exhibitors and incomparable special projects. Held at Marina Bay Sands from 12 to 15 January 2012, the fair’s second edition presents the best and most exciting of Asia’s artistic creativity – the most important, interesting and stunning artists and galleries. The fair aims to showcase art in an artistic context by supporting special projects and presentations: Asian galleries are juxtaposed against a limited amount of carefully selected Western top galleries. The 120 exhibitors from 18 countries add unparalleled value to the fair by creating over 50 special projects and presentations.

Japan-based Gallerist Tomio Koyama described Art Stage Singapore as a “contemporary art fair which shows the new direction of the Asian art market. The context of an Asian, instead of Wesrn, aesthetic point of view is what makes Art Stage Singapore appeal to the entire art market.” While American artist David LaChapelle said, “The fair is at once global and intimate. It isn’t just all about anonymous selling; it’s about relationships and art.”

The fair’s focus has always been directed toward quality over quantity, so despite a large increase in the number of applications, there has been a substantial jump in the quality of presentations and the level of presenting exhibitors. This year’s applications had to pass even more stringent and rigorous admission criteria, so there is a definite difference and improvement in the quality of works and projects. (For the full list of exhibiting galleries, please click here).

Only in its second year, the fair has managed to attract new, high profile exhibitors including: prestigious international galleries such as Galerie Eigen+Art (Leipzig/Berlin), Lehmann Maupin (New York), Victoria Miro (London) , White Cube (London), etc; leading Asian galleries such as Gana Art Gallery (Seoul/Busan), Gallery Hyundai (Seoul), Mizuma Art Gallery (Tokyo), Ota Fine Art (Tokyo), Tang Contemporary Art (Bangkok/Hong Kong/Beijing), etc; and interesting young Asian galleries such as Takashi Murakami’s Kaikai Kiki Gallery (Tokyo, Taipei).

Glenn Scott Wright, Director of Victoria Miro (London) said, “Art Stage Singapore is set to be the most exciting addition in the international art fair calendar and we are looking forward to participating this year for the first time. With Singapore’s investment in its cultural infrastructure and the addition of a world class art fair, the city is gearing up to become an important hub for the art market in South East Asia to add to its status as the region’s financial hub.”

Jumping from 30 entries last year to 40 this year, the fair’s Project Stage platform is the go-to place for the discovery of rising Asian stars in the world. For the 2012 edition, the works here will be even stronger and more impressive than in the year before –several of which feature site-specific projects, stunning installations and innovative concepts. (For the full list of Project Stage participants, please click here).

Art Stage Singapore is definitely not a typical art fair – people will find not just smaller and commercially-popular art pieces on exhibition within the participating galleries’ booths, but they can also expect to see – and participate in – performances and interactive projects such as the Gao Brothers’ “World Hug Day” (presented by Vue Privee, Singapore); many spectacular large-scale installations including like the specially created works by world-renowned Antony Gormley (presented by London’s White Cube); and, inspired by the fair’s eye-catching publicity campaign, established Thai artist Navin Rawanchaikul created especially for Art Stage Singapore a new 12m long painting, titled, “We are Asia!” (presented by Yavuz Fine Art, Singapore).

There is also a significant increase in the Asia-Pacific representation, especially from the Philippines and Thailand. All the leading and most interesting Philippine galleries shall be participating, including new exhibitors Silverlens and Finale Art File. Despite the floods in Bangkok, representation of Thai artists is strong and works by leading Thai artists like: Navin Rawanchaikul and Manit Sriwanichpoom (presented by Yavuz Fine Art, Singapore), Rirkrit Tiravanjia (presented by Ikkan Art Gallery, Singapore) and more will be shown. Tibetan artist Tenzig Rigdol is showcased with a solo exhibition (presented by Rossi & Rossi London), and Project Stage has its first Kazak artist, Almagul Menlibayeva (presented by Priska C. Juschka Fine Art, New York).

Art Stage Singapore is Asia’s necessary response to the market, a top event with a strong Asian identity. The fair supports and defends the interests of Asian artists and galleries by elevating them to a level of international importance, by positioning them as strong and competitive players of the global market.

Held at the iconic Marina Bay Sands,  Art Stage Singapore will launch on 11 January 2012 and is open to the public from 12 to 15 January 2012. Tickets are available for sale at http://www.marinabaysands.com/Singapore-Entertainment/Shows/Art-Stage-Singapore-2012. Please visit the official website at www.artstagesingapore.com for more information.

ART STAGE SINGAPORE: The Art World’s
Meeting Point in Asia

The second edition promises a stronger and more exciting show

August 2011 – The second edition of Art Stage Singapore is set to mark the opening of the international art world’s spring season at the Marina Bay Sands from 12 to 15 January 2012. Over 100 of the world’s best art galleries and dealers will be present, bringing together a compelling mix of contemporary Asian and Western art.

Art Stage Singapore will continue to focus its efforts towards its goal of developing a top international fair with a strong Asia-Pacific identity. This year, the fair’s admission criteria has been tightened even more and offers advantages to galleries applying with strong, impressive special presentations – including solo, curated or thematic projects, concept exhibitions or other specially developed presentations or collaborations.

Positioned as the Asian art fair, it engages in close, direct cooperation with the Asia art world and is strongly and actively supported by key players of the Asian art market. More than a market platform, it is Asia’s definitive rendezvous point and place of dialogue and exchange between collectors, curators, gallerists, artists and art lovers.

The fair’s inaugural edition put Singapore on the art world’s map with its 121 galleries from 26 countries, over 40 special projects, 32,000 visitors and impressive sales. Top collectors flew in from the USA, Europe and from around the Asian region – India, China, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Indonesia and Australia – to congregate at the fair and at its parallel project, Collector’s Stage: Asian Contemporary Art from Private Collections, which was organised by the Singapore Art Museum in co-operation with Art Stage Singapore. Internationally renowned artists who attended the fair included Takashi Murakami, Zeng Fanzhi, Yoshitomo Nara, T.V. Santhosh, Jitish Kallat, Shen Shaomin, Agus Suwage, Ronald Ventura, David LaChapelle, Wim Delvoye, I Nyoman Masriadi and many others.

Despite its successful debut, the fair’s organiser Art Stage Singapore Pte Ltd, led by CEO and Director Lorenzo Rudolf, eschews plans for expansion in the immediate future, focusing its energies instead on developing a high-quality, high-calibre international show based on key principles of quality and presenting art in context.

The indelible support from key local government agencies, including Singapore’s Economic Development Board, National Arts Council, National Heritage Board and Singapore Tourism Board, will continue in the immediate and broad future to contribute to the success of Art Stage Singapore. Their backing is a pertinent reminder of the city’s readiness and commitment towards becoming a meeting point for discussion and dialogue on contemporary art. It also marks the organiser’s close co-operation with the Singapore state to develop the city into a centre for contemporary art in Asia, with the fair as a flagship catalyst and as an annual institutional appointment in the global art agenda.

Art Stage Singapore will run from 12 to 15 January 2012.