Charles Lim's SEA STATE Explores Singapore's Relationship with the Sea at Venice Biennale
At the 2015 Venice Biennale, the Singapore Pavilion will showcase SEA STATE (2005–15), a nine-part project by Singaporean artist Charles Lim. This work delves into Singapore's ecological and geopolitical connections to the sea, focusing on issues such as land reclamation and sand mining. A former Olympic sailor, Lim challenges idealized perceptions of the ocean, highlighting territorial markers and environmental consequences. Notable segments include SEA STATE 1: inside\outside (2005) and SEA STATE 8: The Grid (2014). The project uncovers historical events, including unexploded WWII bombs and the loss of Indonesian islands from sand extraction. Following its presentation in Venice, SEA STATE will be displayed at NTU CCA Singapore from April 30 to July 10, 2016.
Key facts
- Charles Lim's SEA STATE project spans 2005 to 2015 and includes nine phases.
- The work will be exhibited at the Singapore Pavilion of the 2015 Venice Biennale.
- Lim is a former professional sailor who competed in the 1996 Summer Olympics and the 2007 America's Cup.
- Singapore has expanded by 130 square kilometers since the 1960s through land reclamation using imported sand.
- The global sand mining industry is valued at $70 billion annually, with over 40 billion tons consumed per year.
- Indonesian islands have disappeared due to sand mining for Singapore's construction projects.
- SEA STATE features interviews and archival materials, including SEABOOK, shown at Singapore's National Library.
- The project documents Singapore's maritime borders, port authority systems, and environmental impacts like unexploded bombs.
Entities
Artists
- Charles Lim
- Tien Woon Wei
- Melvin Phua
- Bas Jan Ader
- Takuji Kogo
Institutions
- Venice Biennale
- Singapore Pavilion
- Central Saint Martins
- NUS Museum
- Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
- National Library Singapore
- NTU CCA Singapore
- ArtReview Asia
- Wired magazine
- Global Witness
- Documenta 11
- tsunamii.net
Locations
- Singapore
- Venice
- Italy
- Indonesia
- Malaysia
- Vietnam
- London
- United Kingdom
- Bantam
- Jurong Island
- Changi
- Sisters Islands
- Banyan Basin
- Jurong Rock Caverns