Art Stage Singapore 2013: Impressions and a Nice Chat

What is Art Stage Singapore?
Art Stage Singapore 2013 is the annual program showing excellent Asian contemporary arts since 2011. The Fair attracts many local and international artists and galleries. Alongside with the Art Fair, there are also a lot of activities such as Artist Talks, Art Tours, etc. This year, the event was organized Marina Bay Sands Expo from 24 – 27 Jan 2013 with 130 galleries, 600 artists, 35,000 visitors, from 23 countries.

Check out our images at Art Stage Singapore 2013 on our facebook.

One member of the Hanoi Grapevine team was happy to have a chance to meet two Hanoi artists Pham Huy Thong and Ha Manh Thang in Singapore.

Q: What impressed you at Art Stage?
A: Too many great things to see, so it’s really difficult to quickly answer this question. Singapore is becoming the economic and financial hub of South East Asia, and therefore, it is becoming the cultural hub of the region. The interesting thing about Art Stage is that with only one flight, we have chance to see all the most excellent art works of the top artists in the region.

Q: Could you introduce about Art Stage 2013 within 1-2 sentences?
A: In 2013, due to the economic crisis, the scope and excitement on Art Stage Singapore partially decrease and there lack of “awesome” installations or “non-profit” projects. However, Art Stage is still the place where artists should pay a visit to open their eyes, learn and network or build new relationships. These are worth much more than the costs.

Q: Which galleries and artists participate in this Art Stage?
A: There is no galleries nor artists from Vietnam in this Art Stage. Same for last year. I (Thong) did join a gallery and exhibited last year, same time with Art Stage, but not in this event. We paid money ourselves to buy air tickets and accommodations to come and see this.

Q: Do you know how much it costs to get a booth here?
A: A Singaporean friend told us that it costs around $20,000 for a small booth. The big/ large ones like this are much more expensive!

Q: Wow, so costly! Do you think it’s easy to sell arts in such a fair? And I don’t see they quote their prices there either. Is that true?
A: Some do but some don’t. If visitors are interested, they have the quotation and make their own agreements. Some have price tags too.

Although the possibility of selling arts at the fair is low, the galleries still need to be present, to remind their audience about their existence, and also to do marketing…

Q: How do you know about this Art Stage to attend?
A: I was lucky to receive a grant in which it’s required to attend and learn from programs like this.

Q: Sound like residencies. Do you think they help Vietnamese artists?
A: Yes, quite a lot! Visiting this helps me learn what the arts scene in other countries is like, and have more ideas for our creative works.

Q: Why can’t we see in these regional art fairs (Art Stage Singapore, Art Expo Malaysia, Art Fair Hong Kong, etc.) names of artists and/ or galleries from Vietnam?
A: In Vietnam, we haven’t invested much in Arts. How many professional art collectors and people who are willing to pay for paintings? Galleries are few, such as Art Vietnam or Bui gallery in the North, and Quynh gallery in the South…
Indonesian or Thai artists are invested. Their local collectors or domestic buyers are willing to buy paintings, which creates a good base for them to reach overseas.

In Vietnam, the demand is still low, especially the contemporary arts. There are local buyers (collectors), but not many. Hopefully there will be more positive moves in a near future.

Q: What do you think about the potential of Art Fair in Vietnam? Will you join?

A (Thong): Two things that I have to consider: the maturity of the market and the professionalism of the organizer. Artists need to be professional too. If the two factors met my expectations, I will definitely join.

A (Thang): Well, this is a dream. It might be very long to reach that dream, but if it happens, why not joining? Definitely yes!

Q: Many thanks for your time!
– Hue Tran, Hanoi Grapevine team, reports from Art Stage Singapore –