Del National Art Council of Singapur
THE INTERNATIONAL ART EXHIBITION – LA BIENNALE DI VENEZIA
NAC adopts a multi-pronged approach to promote and profile Singapore’s arts and artists overseas. Singapore’s participation at the International Art Exhibition is an extension of this commitment.
As the world’s oldest and one of the most important non-commercial platforms to showcase contemporary art, the International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia is a premier platform to showcase Singapore’s visual artists to the world, and connect them with their international peers.
Singapore has been participating in the Art Biennale since 2001. Following a review in 2013, Singapore returned to the platform with a dedicated Singapore Pavilion sited at the newly-restored space in the Sale d’Armi building at the Arsenale, Venice, Italy. This is the first time that the Singapore Pavilion has secured a historic Arsenale site on a long term lease for twenty years.
This long term commitment is in line with NAC’s belief that Singapore’s participation in Venice will contribute to raising Singapore’s profile as an emerging centre in Asia for artistic production and research. La Biennale di Venezia is also an important platform that will allow our artists and curators to participate in discourses and dialogues with the global arts community and open up avenues for future exchanges and collaborations with others in the international arts community.
About the Singapore Pavilion
The Singapore Pavilion is a 250 sqm space in a complex of buildings called the Sale d’Armi, which is centrally located and easily accessible within the Arsenale, a key site in Venice. The Sale d’Armi complex is a cluster of four 16th century barracks built with brick and stone, each with a wooden roof. It lies opposite the intersection between the long Corderie and Artiglierie buildings, where the main central square of the Arsenale is situated.
Singapore at the 57th International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia
The 57th International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia sees the Singapore Pavilion seeking to uncover untold stories and forgotten histories of a people whose culture has influenced what is recognised as ‘Southeast Asian’ today. In Dapunta Hyang: Transmission of Knowledge, multidisciplinary artist Zai Kuning, retraces the seventh-century voyage of Dapunta Hyang Sri Jayanasa, presented in this installation as the first Malay King of the Srivijaya kingdom.
Established in 1895, the International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia is the most established international contemporary art event and widely regarded as the most significant. This is Singapore’s 8th participation.
Exhibition Details
Title: Dapunta Hyang: Transmission of Knowledge
Artist: Zai Kuning
Dates: 13 May – 26 November 2017
Opening Hours:
10am – 6pm
Extended hours on Friday & Saturday: 10am – 8pm, until 30 September 2017. Closed on Mondays (except 15 May, 14 August, 4 September, 30 October, and 20 November 2017).
Location:
Singapore Pavilion
Arsenale – Sale d’Armi
Campo della Tana 2169/F
Venice, Italy
History of Singapore’s Participation
Edition Year Artist(s) Curator(s)
56th International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia 2015 Charles Lim Shabbir Hussain Mustafa
54th International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia 2011 Ho Tzu Nyen June Yap
53th International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia 2009 Ming Wong Tang Fu Kuen
52th International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia 2007 Zulkifle Mahmod, Jason Lim, Vincent Leow, Da Wu Tang Lindy Poh
51th International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia 2005 Lim Tzay Chuen Eugene Tan
50th International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia 2003
Tan Swie Hian, Francis Ng,
Heman Chong
Low Sze Wee
JULA 