Err, not really... graffiti is still punishable by mandatory strokes of the rotan, which is not a theatrical performance but the real thing. Still "gaining acceptance" were the words in a a recent headline in the Channel News Asia website. But there is a bit of a story - graffiti-styled work is now popular in Singapore among official arts commissioners, as a indicator of an aspiration to be relevant to concerns of "youth". The story interviews one Zack Kazak, who has "moved on" from the adrenaline-rush of bombing to create works under Arts Council grants and programs.


But as usual, my favorite part of the story is the vox pop. Two unnamed members of the public are asked if graffiti is art and reply:

"I think it is art in a way. Sometimes it depends on how they express themselves, basically into the pictures they create on the wall," one person said.


"I don't understand what they're drawing, so I can't say whether I like them or not," another said.

From understanding, all else follows... a common theme in Singapore art reception.

Technorati Tags: public art, Singapore, street art

Labels: Singapore

# posted @ 6:55 AM