The COVID-19 global pandemic has transformed many industries and for higher arts education institutions, this means migrating graduation shows online.
At LASALLE, the coronavirus served as a catalyst for the College's digitalisation plans by taking its highly anticipated annual graduation exhibition online. Pushing the envelope even further, its upcoming graduate fashion show will be fully virtual for the first time, increasing accessibility for audiences from around the world.
Virtual influencers are on the rise. Created by designers using computer or artificial intelligence technology, they proliferate on social media platforms and their realism makes it hard to tell the difference between them and their human counterparts. Case in point is BA(Hons) Fashion Media and Industries graduand Reyme Husaini’s creation for his final year project, Ava Lee Gram.
Life after a creative education can be productive, fulfilling and equally stable, as reported by four arts graduates in Singapore. It is not without challenges though but as with any other nine-to-five corporate job, these artists persevere with passion.
Is the touted ‘new normal’ world of post-coronavirus one to be excited for? According to Professor Steve Dixon, President of LASALLE College of the Arts, we should not be too quick to embrace full digitisation. While the pandemic has certainly opened up new opportunities in global collaboration, thanks to the democratisation of the digital sphere, it is an inadequate substitute for actual face-to-face, human interaction.
BA(Hons) Design Communication alumnus Chua Jia Xiang is a member of the Kaizen Office at Tan Tock Seng Hospital where he explores ways to improve work processes via service design. An example is his recent project of upgrading the protective goggles of frontline medical workers to a face shield model. Tested by staff currently battling the coronavirus pandemic, the new prototype offers better comfort, safety, ease of wearing and taking off, and is cost-effective to produce.
Four public art installations were unveiled today at Telok Ayer as part of a public arts project by LASALLE College of the Arts (‘LASALLE’), supported by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (‘URA’). Titled Rediscover: Telok Ayer, the artworks and complementary public programmes seek to bridge both historical and contemporary timelines of the heritage district. Through these works, audiences will be able to uncover new perspectives of the area.
Theatre groups established by millennials, for the millennial crowd, is on the rise. Kristine Ng, a BA(Hons) Arts Management alumna from LASALLE and current theatre producer of the Second Breakfast Company, shared: “We felt there was a gap when it came to theatre companies that involved youths. There were many accomplished companies but most worked with seasoned practitioners and few had platforms for aspiring or emerging young talent.”
In a first-of-its-kind collaboration, artists and designers from LASALLE will work together with real estate developers to produce unique pieces of urban living art for condominium The M. Engaged in discussion since the developmental phase, the paintings, sculptures and interactive displays conceived by alumni of LASALLE will be well integrated into the complex once it completes in early 2024. The 522-unit property at Middle Road is near the arts and cultural precinct and is marketed to millennial families and entrepreneurs who are based at home.
From August 2020, new Diploma students at LASALLE College of the Arts will reap the benefits of a refreshed Diploma framework, designed to prepare a new generation of arts and design learners to respond to evolving needs and opportunities in a transforming economy.
Excitement abounds as interdisciplinary arts festival ARTWALK Little India kicks off across two weekends in January. There are many brand new offerings visitors can expect in this edition, such as a storytelling session that combines music and folk painting and an ambitious mural painting that stretches 70 metres long.
