Singapore Biennale 2016: An Atlas of Mirrors Explores Identity and Migration
The Singapore Art Museum (SAM) hosted the fifth iteration of the Singapore Biennale, titled 'An Atlas of Mirrors,' which ran until February 26, 2016. This edition, focused on themes of migration and identity, presented nine distinct 'conceptual zones.' Featured artists included Subodh Gupta, Melissa Tan, H.H. Lim, Bui Cong Khanh, Ade Darmawan, Kentaro Hiroki, Qiu Zhijie, Deng Guoyuan, and the duo Map Office (Laurent Gutierrez and Valérie Portefaix). Their artworks explored topics such as urban growth, wisdom, geopolitical conflicts, global consumption, lesser-known histories, identity markers, and the interplay of history and art. The biennale sought to reexamine identity through varied artistic lenses, serving as a reflective atlas for personal insight and renewal.
Key facts
- Singapore Biennale 2016 was titled 'An Atlas of Mirrors'.
- The exhibition was held at the Singapore Art Museum (SAM).
- It ran until February 26, 2016.
- The show was structured into nine 'conceptual zones'.
- Melissa Tan created sculptures mapping Singapore's urban and rural landscapes.
- H.H. Lim's video performance featured him balancing on a basketball and then falling.
- Bui Cong Khanh's 'Dislocate' combined Chinese and Vietnamese craft techniques.
- Subodh Gupta's 'Cooking the world' used kitchen utensils to critique consumption.
Entities
Artists
- Melissa Tan
- H.H. Lim
- Bui Cong Khanh
- Subodh Gupta
- Ade Darmawan
- Kentaro Hiroki
- Laurent Gutierrez
- Valérie Portefaix
- Qiu Zhijie
- Deng Guoyuan
Institutions
- Singapore Art Museum (SAM)
- Singapore Biennale
- Artribune
Locations
- Singapore
- Rome
- China
- Vietnam
- Indonesia