Arts- Television

This week, we’ll be delving more into the arts scene in Singapore; mainly the television aspect. The television scene in Singapore is mainly controlled by Media Corporation of Singapore, also known as Mediacorp. Mediacorp was formerly known by a few other names, such as Television Singapura, Radio Television Singapore, Television Corporation of Singapore, etc. It first started in 1963 and has 48 years of history on its back up till the year 2011.

There are 7 main free-to-air terrestrial television channels as of 2011. Some of these include Channel 5, Channel 8, Channel U, Channel News Asia and OKTO. Even with the little number of channels offered by Mediacorp, they are still able to cater to all walks of life and all the different races in Singapore. The 7 different channels encompasses variety shows, sitcoms and news channels in 4 different languages.

In 2001, SPH Mediaworks Ptd Ltd set up 2 extra free-to-air terrestrial television channels (Channel U and Channel I) in order to pose as healthy competition in the television industry to Mediacorp. However, the 2 channels were ephemeral and merely lasted 3 years before SPH and Mediacorp announced that the 2 companies were going to merge, thus leading the Mediacorp being to sole television provider in Singapore up to date.

Some of the notable television series that Mediacorp has successfully produced over the years includes Return of the Condor Heroes, starring Fann Wong and Christopher Lee, as well as Holland V, which is the first long-running drama to be filmed, produced and aired completely in Singapore. A considerable number of television programmes have also been outsourced to neighbouring countries such as China and Malaysia, where foreigners will get to watch our local dramas as well.

Other distinguished variety shows include the annual Star Search Contest, which is hosted to discover new acting talents in Singapore. This has recently been extended to overseas countries such as China and Taiwan where more talents were uncovered. The latest winner was actually a Shanghainese. Many television actors in the local industry also hail from various countries such as Thailand (Pornsak), China (Dai Yang Tian, Zhou Ying) and Malaysia (Christopher Lee) and have all found fame on our sunny shores.

Overall, the television scene is Singapore is pretty vibrant although paling in comparison to neighbouring countries, such as Hong Kong, Taiwan and China, whom have a longer history compared to ours. However, we believe that the local arts scene will continue to prosper and flourish in the years to come.

Read more »

Arts- Music

Due to Singapore’s limited advancement in the local music industry, there are Singaporeans that have ventured overseas and done us proud. For example, Stephanie Sun, Tanya Chua and JJ Lin have achieved fantastic results as singers in Taiwan and China. They are able to be accepted widely by foreign fans and claiming first place on various music charts.

The local music scene is also actively promoting Singaporeans to live their dreams and pursue singing as their career. Singing competitions organised by Mediacorp have been a trend in Singapore since 2005, which includes Project Superstar, Campus Superstar and Singapore Idol. Winners and runner-ups are then able to have the opportunity to be signed on with music companies and pursue their career as singers in Singapore or overseas.

There are also local music companies like Hype Nation Records and music schools like Lee Wei Song School of Music. They offer opportunities to locals who are keen in joining the music industry or have the potential to outshine themselves in the sea of singers.

Besides being singers, there are also other job opportunities in the music scene. The many jobs include producers, lyricist, back-up singers and many more.

Furthermore, one of Singapore’s most famous landmarks – Esplanade – is an ideal location to stage plays and musicals. The Esplanade was first opened in 5 July 2005. There are a concert hall, theatre and studios located in the Esplanade that allows a large number of audiences to enjoy the performances put up by singers or actors.

Read more »

Arts- Museum

One way which Singapore promotes art is through the various museums we have that includes Singapore Arts Museum, National Museum of Singapore, Peranakan Museum, Singapore Art Gallery and Singapore Philatelic Museum. Museums in Singapore not only focus locally but also internationally.

[A picture of the Peranakan Museum]

In the National Museum of Singapore, there is a Film & Wayang Gallery that explores the history of Malay film production in Singapore in the mid-20^th century, and the development of Chinese Opera and puppetry; The Fashion Gallery that reveals the fabric of Singapore society through popular music and displays of apparel, accessories and beauty products used by women from the 1950s to 1970s; Treaures of the National Museum of Singapore; Exhibition Galleries and Gallery Theatre. In addition, tours, workshops, performances and lecture programmes are also available to visitors. One special feature that the museum also offers is the Cinematheque that focuses on the presentation of film in its historical, cultural and aesthetic contexts, with a strong emphasis on local and regional cinema.

[A picture of the National Museum of Singapore]

Singapore Arts Museum is currently organizing Trans-Cool Tokyo, which introduces contemporary Japanese Art from the Museum of contemporary art Tokyo collection. The exhibitions show various pop arts by Japanese artists, showcase of popular Japanese culture and toys and screening of unique Japanese films. This is for visitors to know foreign arts better instead of just local ones.

[A picture of the Singapore Arts Museum]

Lastly is the Singapore Philatelic Museum that showcases a wide variety of stamp collection around the world. As stamps are essential during slow mail period, it had since became forgotten by Singaporeans. Hence visitors are able to visit the museum to appreciate the different design of stamps showcased.

[A picture of the Singapore Philatelic Museum]

Read more »