Let’s Get Into Digital (Nov-Dec)

Bangkok Biennial 2020, Sa Sa Art Projects, Julius Baer Next Generation Art Prize, etc. 
By Ho See Wah

Online Pavilions of Bangkok Biennial 2020
Adapting to the constraints of COVID-19, this festival consisting of self-initiated and autonomous pavilions welcomed the first of its three Biennial periods on 31 October 2020. The initial pavilions include a select few who are innovatively utilising the online platform. Soi Convent[ion] Pavilion presents daily offerings of moments along Soi Convent (Convent Road) and invite other artists to contribute as well. Playing with the idea of “on cloud nine” and the materiality of clouds, Cloud 9 Pavilion, hosted on the “cloud”, brings together over 30 artists to dream together for a more utopic world ahead in multiple ‘Cloud Rooms’. And hosted on the virtual reality platform Cluster is Liminal Pavilion’s online exhibition where the audience can digitally gather together to view a wide selection of films. 

Bangkok Biennial, 31 October to 21 November 2020 (first period).

Khvay Samnang, ‘Preah Kunlong (The Way of Spirit)’, 2016-17, digital C-print, 80 x 120cm, edition 1 of 5 + 1AP. Image courtesy of Sa Sa Art Projects.

Sa Sa Fundraising Auction & Exhibition 2020
Sa Sa Art Projects will be holding an online auction to fund their programme, which includes exhibitions, a residency, art education and programming in efforts to promote young artists in Cambodia as well as creating networks across the Asian art scene. Featuring over 40 works by Southeast Asian artists such as Khvay Samnang (Cambodia), Pinaree Sanpitak (Thailand) and Bakudapan Food Study Group (Indonesia), the auction is accompanied by a physical exhibition at Factory Phnom Penh, where a different set of artworks by Cambodian artists will also be on sale. 

Sa Sa Fundraising Auction, 14 November, 8.00AM (GMT +7) to 4 December 2020, 11.59PM (GMT +7). 

'Pasar Seni' ('Indonesia Art Market')
Indo Art Link, Project11 and 16albermarle Project Space come together to present the physical exhibition ‘Indonesia Calling 2020’ and the digital marketplace ‘Pasar Seni’ (‘Indonesia Art Market’). This collaboration is part of their long-standing commitment to build ties between the Indonesian and Australian art scenes. Hosted on Sydney-based 16albermarle’s site, ‘Pasar Seni’ spotlights the practices of 11 collectives and provides a platform for them to sell their artworks and merchandise. 

16albermarle’s platform, 31 October to 12 December 2020.

Julius Baer Next Generation Art Prize
Swiss bank Julius Baer launches its inaugural Next Generation Art Prize for digital art from Southeast Asia. The Prize aims to cultivate the development of emerging artistic talent, and at the same time bring prominence to the digital medium. Artists are invited to participate with original works that reflect one or more of the bank’s Next Generation investment themes, such as ‘future cities’ and ‘shifting lifestyles and inequality’, with cash prizes of up to USD15,000 to be won. 

Artists can submit their digital artwork from 5 November 2020 to 28 February 2021. Click here to find out more. 

‘FEATURES’
This series by Santy Saptari Art Consulting highlights a specific artist from the Asia Pacific region for each episode. For its second edition, the spotlight shines on the practice of Denpasar-born and Brisbane-based artist Tintin Wulia. It will present both a live artist talk and screenings of four video works that will trace the relationship among Wulia’s practice, her personal history as well as the political circumstances of her birth country. The videos will also be available to view for two weeks after the live session. 

14 November 2020, 1PM (GMT+7). Click here to register via email and here to register via WhatsApp.

‘Painting with Feelings, a MACAN Home Kit: Artist Series’ by Citra Sasmita. Image courtesy of Museum MACAN.

‘MACAN Home Kit: Artist Series’
Museum MACAN’s Home Kit is an at-home workshop that comprises physical art supplies and online step-by-step tutorials led by Indonesian artists. The first series will feature artists Citra Sasmita, Ruth Marbun and Agam Dwi Nurcahyo (Magafaka), as well as pottery collective Kandura Studio. This experience will also present the chance for participants to take part in a live group consultation with the artists themselves. 

‘MACAN Home Kit: Painting with Feelings by Citra Sasmita’ is now on sale. Find out more on Shop at MACAN’s website.