Art fair focuses on Asia

The Hundred Surnames in Tofu, an installation by Chen Qiulin, will be on display at the China Platform during Art Stage Singapore 2014. Photo Provided to China Daily

Singapore's leading art fair Art Stage Singapore returns in January with a special focus on Asia. The new fair format incorporates eight country and regional platforms, including China.

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Launched in 2011,Art Stage Singapore has grown into a flagship art event that attracts the world's most influential art collectors and enthusiasts. The annual art fair has presented more than 100 galleries, of which 80 percent are Asia-Pacific-based ones, underscoring the fair's core Asian identity.

The fourth edition will be held from Jan 16-19 at Singapore's Mari-na Bay Sands Expo and Convention Center. Aside from conventional exhibitions, the newest edition will open about 1,800 square meters of space for eight country and regional platforms, which will be showcased in a museum-like exhibition layout to add a new dimension to the fair's artistic offerings.

"When we speak about Asia, we cannot speak about an undifferentiated, single Asian contemporary art scene as the region is highly segmented. However, there are few dialogues and limited understanding even among Asian countries themselves, "comments Art Stage Singapore founder and director Lorenzo Rudolf. "Through the platforms we mirror the dynamic and diverse art scenes across the region and bridge the disconnect and divide."

The Southeast Asia Platform-the largest among all-is curated by Art Stage Singapore itself in collaboration with six country advisers. Visitors will see about 25 newly commissioned projects from Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines and Thailand.

The China Platform features nine galleries from areas including Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Wuxi and Hong Kong, with each gallery high-lighting one Chinese artist.

"I display China Platform and its artworks according to its complexity and diversity," says China Platform curator Huang Du, an internationally known independent curator who has collaborated with numerous biennales.

"I prefer artworks with a unique sense and even beyond one's own imagination, as they can be proactive enough to create an immediate excitement. Thus, I very much like to explore and promote works that are rich in conceptual, experimental and avant-garde sense," Huang stresses.

Chinese artist Chen Qiulin, presented by A Thousand Plateau Art Space, will bring her installation work The Hundred Surnames in Tofu.