TOP, from (“Billboards“)
© Lim Thian Leong, 2010

Angsana: Southeast Asian Photographers Taking Flight is an exhibition that brings together the works of notable contemporary photographers from Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.

Taking the name of a tree species that is common in Southeast Asia, the exhibition is a showcase of highly sophisticated images captured with well-honed skills and expertise. Put together, the works provide a glorious insight to the burgeoning standards of photography craftsmanship and the blossoming photography industry in Southeast Asia. By intertwining different artistic talents of the region, it is also a platform of cultural exchange and understanding. [press release]

Couldn’t make my way down due to a flare-up of my sciatica pain but since it’s open from Jan 12 to Feb 16 at 2902 Gallery, I might still have time to visit! It is also a fringe event of Art Stage Singapore (someone called it art on steroids).

This project was commissioned by Lien Aid, a Singapore-based NGO that seeks to build a firm foundation for human development by making safe water and sanitation accessible and affordable to poor communities in Asia.

Exhibition will be held at Objectifs Gallery from Nov 19 to Dec 3. Exhibition and website contains a mix of multimedia presentations and stills.

TOP TO BOTTOM, from (“soliloquy“)© Terence Teo, 2010

Documentary photographer and long-term drinks buddy, Terence Teo, is finally having his first solo exhibition at Objectifs from Oct 29 to Nov 18. soliloquy is his conversation with nature, the result of a journey through Japan in 2010. After years of documenting disasters throughout Asia, Terence sought a quieter side of nature, to contemplate, to discover and ultimately, to answer many unanswerable questions in life.

I think that his images and travelogue made something tingle within – a need to embark on my own journey one day; when I have had enough of this life. And after that, I shall begin the next phase. Till then, I rattle my chains and smile grimly.

Visit his tumblr site for some images from the exhibition (and other amazing images from the trip) and his portfolio to throw some jobs his way. (Mention my name so I can get a few rounds.)

I saw many people posing around town yesterday for the (day-to-evening) annual Canon Photo Marathon. It’s the only time of the year where you see people dressed in the same t-shirts, armed with huge DSLRs and prancing at various places in the city. I gave up on trying to win something after several tries.

This time round, the nighttime photo marathon seems to be even more challenging – lack of sleep, limited access, police, mosquitoes etc. I think we will see lots of long exposures/light streaks so word of advice to would-be participants: think of something more creative! Lots of caffeine required but I think everyone will have fun.

For more information and to sign up, please visit SIPF’s satellite event page here.

Good luck and have fun!

TOP TO BOTTOM, from (“Table for One“)
© Samantha Tio, 2009-2010

Samantha Tio, one of Singapore’s emerging photographers has completed her year long project – Table for One. Now it would be shown as an exhibition with an accompanying website for this month’s SIPF festival (more details in another post on that).

When I set out creating images for “Table for One.” I was really curious of the possibility of how art or creating something can stimulate the healing process. Its not uncommon…Taking the body as a site for memories, dreams and reflection of the environment we live in, surely its interior bears its own surfaces for beauty and its absence.

When she first showed me the beginnings of the series, I wondered how long would she go on talking to strangers. She began the series as a form of therapy for her recent heartbreak, and the resulting work is a deep evocative look at the inner world of many “lonely” Singaporeans and herself. Although unstaged, these images see influences of Hopper, Wall and diCorcia; moody, subdued, and a layer of drama hidden beneath the surface.

Using only environmental lighting and “props” (backs of other patrons, chairs, mirrors), she managed to capture that little bit of each sitter. I guess she has a personable way of dealing with people (and a lot of courage) especially in a city state where most people would balk at the idea of talking to a stranger. Kudos to her and congrats. Maybe I won’t have to dine alone very soon. :)

The inaugural exhibition – Technicolor Japan, places Japanese photography from the late Edo period alongside contemporary artwork from artists from various practices.

Location: 20 Cairnhill Road S(229652)
Website: www.vueprivee.comm

© Joyce Choo

ONE is a pioneer convention uniting established professionals and aspiring photographers towards a singular goal : The perfection of the craft in medium and large sensor photography. ONE aims to be a powerful platform for existing professional to showcase their new personal works based on the “ONE” theme and for aspiring photographers to launch their careers through adapting industry practices and workflow systems.

ONE kicks off with a photography competition, calling for best photographic works worldwide. These works will be in line with the theme “ONE”, an acronym of “Our Need to Express”. Competition finalists will be mentored under a professional to refine their skills and compete for the top prize.

This convention will begin on 1st April 2010 with the launch of the competition and will culminate to a series of events in October 2010 with the opening of the exhibition.

Official website. Facebook.

Of Forest, Sea and Mountain’ is a collection of images depicting the deconstruction of conventional landscape by three talented photographers Dju-lian Chng, Jovian Lim and Ang Song Nian , which will be exhibited at 2902 Gallery from Nov 25 to Dec 16.

Evoking a sense of an unusual mix of romanticism and avant-garde, it is the personal self-interpretation of landscapes and a reflection of the emerging state-of-the-art innovations of photography. This exhibition will challenge the very archetypal notions of landscape and introduce a fresh visual introspective of their personal constructed landscapes deliberately imbibed with intended meanings about life, technology and space.

Having been acquainted with the photographers’ works, I do believe that we are heralding a new frontier in the local photography scene. One would never imagine images like this being exhibited ten years ago but look at how things have changed since then.

Dju-lian and Jovian works as a team and their online portfolio can be seen here. Unfortunately, Song Nian’s website is still in progress (well, the last I spoke to him). I can’t wait to see the prints!

The open call for exhibition submissions started today and is meant to showcase both established and emerging photographers. There are two categories that you should be aware of: the open category where there is no fixed theme and the theme-based category. The theme is Human:Nature and artists are welcome to interpret this.

For emerging photographers from Southeast Asia, the workshop and portfolio review will be held once again. I was a participant last year and learnt a lot from it. And I made friends with some of the coolest bunch of people on Earth. More details can be found here.

As a volunteer-run event, the festival requires as many hands as possible. If you are dedicated and willing to work for a good cause, please do not hesitate to render your services. Enquire here.

The open call ends on March 30, 2010. Note that there would be a charge this time for the submissions in order to sieve out people who are really interested.