The Artists Village (TAV)

 

What is the nature of the organization, for how long has it been around and what are its set goals?

The Artists Village (TAV) is a contemporary art group in Singapore. Founded by contemporary artist Tang Da Wu in 1988 at 61-B Lorong Gambas in Sembawang. He enabled like-minded contemporary artists to critically re-look and examine existing assumptions, values and concepts of art making in Singapore. The Artists Village was Singapore's first artist colony, which enables artists to explore radical new ways and ideologies in making art that is in synch with the societal changes and state affairs in the late 1980's. From 1989 onwards, the village came alive with avant-garde performances and art exhibitions with 7 art shows that year. At the height of the village history, The Artists Village housed 35 artists with 50 other artists participating in other art activities organised by the village. In 1990, The Artists Village organised a 24-hour art event called The Time Show. It brought together artists working in all forms of multimedia in one art show. Sadly that same year, the village's land was repossessed by the Singapore Government for urban development.

 

Its objects are to foster and develop an increased consciousness of the importance of the arts and their contribution to Singapore society. This to be achieved by engaging in active dialogue with the public through the production and exposition of works of art.

 


 

What kind of events have you ever done?

Visual arts exhibitions, performance art events, video and sound art events, art talks and forums, artist-in-residency programmes (Pulau Ubin Artists-In-Residency Programme, partnership discontinued)

 

 

What kind of expectations do you have for the development of local contemporary art?

Develop and engage in awareness and the relevance of contemporary art practices and discourse in the context of Singapore, and continue to create bridges to network work overseas artists and art groups that share the similar artistic and cultural issues in the regional and global concerns, so as to raise the profile of Singapore art in the international landscapes.

 


Have you ever worked with other art spaces?

Recently, for (CON)TEMPORARY OSMOSIS – Audiovisual Media Festival 2015 (Urich Lau as co-curator for The Artists Village video screening), with tamtamART Taipei). TAV Show, 2013 (Co-curated and presented with Institute of Contemporary Arts Singapore.

 

Please, describe briefly your organization. Are all members artists?

All members consist of artists, curators/organisers and art educators. 

 

 

Do you have a space? Is it open for everyone to visit?
Currently we have no space, we operate on project basis.

  

Anything else you would like to comment in addition?

Official website: http://www.tav.org.sg

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Alternative Space? Artist-run Space?
Alright, so today we have reached an understanding that “alternative space” has merely a historical connotation left, whereas “artist-run space” cuts directly to the chase, but still nothing is explained through these terms. We suggest a temporary halt on the investigation of terminology. The significance lies in what we do, what we did and what we will be doing next.

So what have you been up to?
In short, we practice art and curate exhibitions. When able, we also organize forums, launch publications and initiate projects for international artistic exchange. If you haven’t the time to read the brief introduction on the back, all you need to remember is this: our job is to generate new dialogues between art and the public and to offer the world something different for a change, or at the very least, we try our best when making mistakes.

Why not simply focus on practicing art?
It’s not that simple. In fact, there is no such thing as simply practicing art. Contemporary art and its viewers have broken away from the monotonous relationship of simply paying a visit to the museum. Whether people are aware of it or not, art has undoubtedly permeated into every aspect of our lives. Therefore, a genuine art practitioner would not shy away when met face to face with genuine public issues. We simply want to do it better.

Where does your funding come from?
Unemployment subsidies. That was a joke. We operate with funds which come from our own pockets and occasional help from limited government funding—translation: we are often short of cash.

Are all members artists?
We were founded as an artist-based organization, but are delighted to have recruited more and more members from interdisciplinary professions in recent years. As for the artists, you may still catch a glimpse of them from time to time carrying a spear and shield, riding a scrawny horse and followed around by a fox hound.

Can I join?
Certainly, you are most welcome to join us. Please note, however, this is not a recruitment ad. Despite our wish to recruit more like-minded friends, we hope that all potential members first try to understand our situation before participating in anything. Acknowledgement of the process is in itself an important form of participation, which means that everything you imagine could be possible. In other words, we would love your attention starting from now.

How does one follow you?
This is an important question but extremely easy to achieve. Simply follow these steps:
(1) like us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/opencontemporary
(2) e-mail us at [email protected];
(3) visit us and chat with us whenever

you’re free. You may even receive a cup of freshly brewed coffhee.

Do you accept donations?
Please don’t ask, just act!