A climbing palm of tropical Southeast Asia, rattan has supplied material over the centuries for everyday objects and artworks. What is the surface made of? What are the unique characteristics of rattan? Examining laboratory analysis from electron…
Sopheap Pich, whose work is among those featured in Trees of Life – Knowledge in Material, started working with natural materials, such as bamboo, rattan, burlap, beeswax, and earth pigments, in the early 2000s to create sculptural objects informed…
Chaired by Dr Lisa Onaga (United States/Germany), Senior Research Scholar, Max Planck Institute for the History of Science and Assistant Professor, School of Humanities, College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences, NTU Sericulture, or silk…
Silk, known as the “Queen of Fibres” as it is strong, fine, and highly lustrous, is made from silkworm cocoons through a sericulture process. The triangular cross section with round edges of the silk fibre reflects light like a prism, making silk…
Manish Nai is interested in discovering the abstract dimensions of form through the manipulation of matter, exploring the new life assumed by the cast-offs that change from objects of use—jute, cardboard, newspapers, old cloths—to art objects,…
With a focus on Southeast Asia, this discussion will unveil the richness of traditional fabric making and dyeing through the lens of textile expert Lee Chor Lin, who will present a comprehensive overview of the region; anthropologist Geneviève…
Chaired by Dinu Bodiciu (Romania/Singapore), Fashion Lecturer, LASALLE College of the Arts Discussing issues of sustainability and environmentally-responsible design, the speakers will touch upon their strategies of operating in ways that cultivate…
Indigo, known as the “King of Dyes,” has been in continuous use and traded worldwide as blue dye, paint pigment, and medicine for over six millennia. Its unique chemistry is suited for all types of textiles, whether prestige silks or blue jeans, as…
Performed by Brian O’Reilly, this is the first session in a series of live performances that will activate the spider instruments created for Arachnid Orchestra. Jam Sessions and test the possibilities of inter-species communication through the means…
Live performance by arachnids and Joyce Beetuan Koh, musician (Singapore). Introduced by Etienne Turpin, philosopher (Indonesia) Joyce Koh’s performance is informed by the image of the spider web as a sonic canvas, where the spider travels and leaves…