Residencies: OPEN as part of Art Day Out!

Residencies: OPEN offers a rare insight into the often-introverted sphere of the artists’ studio. Through showcasing discussions, performances, research and works in progress, OPEN profiles the diversity of contemporary art practice and the divergent ways artists make artwork with the studio as a constant space for experimentation and contemplation.

Julian ‘Togar’ Abraham (Block 37 Malan Road, Studio #01-02)

Oscillating between the position of an artist, musician and pseudo scientist, the work of Julian ‘Togar’ Abraham – often expressed in complex algorithms – challenge the experiences in how art, the environment, science and technology relate to one another and our understanding of these usually distinct fields.

Togar will conduct Fermentation Madness, a workshop that experiments with the fermentation process inviting participants to brew their own alcohol using their chosen combinations of fruit.

Kray Chen (Block 37 Malan Road, Studio #01-03)

Kray Chen’s (Singapore) practice brings attention to the certain behaviours in society, tapping into their absurd and futile characteristic to discuss progress, value and pleasure in contemporary society. While in residence, Chen will continue this line of research into the specific threads of absurdity such as ‘Waiting’ by examining the equation between labour and gratification in different activities, and in turn on reflecting social, cultural and political performativity In relation to the absurd.

Svay Sareth (Block 38 Malan Road, Studio #01-06)

Svay Sareth’s (Cambodia) works in sculpture, installation and durational performance are made using materials and processes intentionally associated with war – metals, uniforms, camouflage and actions requiring great endurance. While his critical and cathartic practice is rooted in an autobiography of war and resistance, he refuses both historical particularity and voyeurism on violence. Rather, his works traverse both present and historical moments, drawing on processes of survival and adventure, and ideas of power and futility.

Tan Pin Pin (Block 38 Malan Road, Studio #01-07)

Tan Pin Pin (Singapore) is an award-winning director of To Singapore, with Love, Invisible City and Singapore GaGa. She is interested with how we became who are, how our Singapore identity is constructed, the importance of memory, archives and documentation in the formation of that identity.