Front Row

Seeing clone-like physical similarities between dancer Steve Goh and himself, Ng Chor Guan imagines a world where time-travel makes possible such improbabilities. He frames this performance also in the context of the nation’s ‘Vision 2020’ and the optical ‘2020’.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A mattress is part of a bed. At least in collective vision of things. A mattress makes sleeping more comfortable. But what happens when mattresses are not so much parts of beds and sleeping but central to wakeful bodies who are prancing and dancing? The two choreographer-dancers lift the sheets off mattresses and scales off our eyes to make us inquiry our relationship with space and each other.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The growing art industry--art schools, art galleries, art auctions, art exhibition and artists--begs the question, What’s art to the nation’s GDP? And then of course, what needs to be done to increase its contribution. The guests discuss the art economy, but what are the assumptions of art that run contrary to the impulses that keep such a system alive?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The soloists tell of their tasks and thoughts bringing music to a live audience: the challenges of telling a story without words and trying to evoke something intangible. The director tells how he chooses the music and what this collaboration with the soloists offers and gives an insight into how an orchestra works.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As part of actor-training, Simone Tani uses masks to help actors find something unadulterated, something spontaneous and fresh to bring to their performances. The shock of trance masks allows some actors to find the latent energy that can inject freshness and truth to the roles they play.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this very interesting interview, Dr. Amir Zekrgoo throws a wrench into the conventional ways of understanding modern art and modernity. For him, the movement from traditional art to modern art is a reflection of the changes from individual identity to individuality.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The founder and creative director of Studio Basel and The Spirit of Ramadhan Photography Competition, Dr Basel Almisshal, speaks about the 2014 competition and the how this continuing competition brings works by a number of photographers ranging from aspiring professionals to talented amateurs from over 60 countries.

The 2014 theme was “Bridging Cultures and Inspiring Creativity.”

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The co-founder and artistic director of a musical theatre company tells about doing a musical on a small, near-postage-stamp-sized stage. His company is presenting and producing Jonathan Larson's "other" musical. Larson became famous on account of RENT. But here’s a musical about Jon turning 30.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The theatre practitioner writes: “At the heart of my practice is the belief in positive relationships. Creativity grows out of our need for relationships with each other the world around us and ourselves."

The comment has echoes of what’s often written in self-help and motivational books. It could have come out from a text by a life coach. David Glass tells about how theatre practice isn’t just something for the stage but essential in creating relationships and thus, communities.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The jazz musicians step outside their species and regular practice, to collaborate with calligrapher, Tan Guet Bee; and an 11-piece string orchestra, Arioso Sinfonia.

These jazz musicians as a collective known as WVC will also be performing their latest album and inviting notable local jazz singers to be in this upcoming show.

The band tells about performing with children, a classical Indian dancer and how cross-pollination is good for all.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.