Research projects and publications

Yvonne Spielmann diskutiert in ihrer Studie den Stellenwert indonesischer Kunst der Gegenwart, die seit den 1990er Jahren zunehmend an Kunstereignissen im asiatisch-pazifischen Raum und weltweit an Biennalen, Auktionen, Messen und internationalen Ausstellungen mit wachsendem Erfolg beteiligt ist. Diese Initiativen von Kuratoren, Galerien, alternativen Kunstprojekten und Sammlern verändern die weltweite Perspektive hin zu einem asiatisch konnotierten Umfeld und steigern den Marktwert. Aus dieser Position heraus gewinnt die indonesische Kunst ihre globale Relevanz in der Gegenwart.

Citation:
Spielmann, Yvonne. Indonesische Kunst Der Gegenwart. Logos Verlag, 2015. [Expanded and updated English edition: Spielmann, Yvonne. Contemporary Indonesian Art: Artists, Art Spaces, and Collectors. Translated by Mitch Cohen, NUS Press, 2017]

In the 1970s, Gilbert Gimon discovered the daguerreotype work of Jules Itier and subsequently published two articles: one in French in 1980 and one in English in 1981. The historical importance of this discovery is now firmly established and the two articles have become key sources of reference. However, a close study of these publications reveals mistakes and assumptions that require resolution. Part one of this article considers two phases of gathering and dispersal of this body of work, first in the mid-nineteenth century and subsequently in the twentieth century. Individuals, situations and institutions are identified in order to assist with the necessary corrections and reinterpretations. In part two, Itier’s journal and Gimon’s articles are cross-referenced in relation to new source materials in order to undertake an in-depth investigation of a number of plates presented in chronological order. This has resulted in the correction of a number of erroneous dates and statements made by Gimon. In the process, an unexpected new name in the early history of photography was revealed in relation to the earliest clearly dated photograph of India. This article concludes with a new reading of Itier’s work and its significance for the history of photography in Asia.

Citation:
Massot, Gilles. "Jules Itier and the Lagrené Mission." History of Photography, vol. 39, no. 4, 2015, pp. 319-347, doi:10.1080/03087298.2015.1106714

In the recent decade, a downward trend of employment has been observed in the animation and VFX industry globally. This trend is observed in Singapore as the domestic industry is integrated through international studios and markets. Tertiary institutions in Singapore, particularly media related courses, turn out a pool of talented graduates every year. Of those, only two tertiary institutions are equipped to cater to students seeking a career in animation and VFX industry in Singapore. The industry has become increasingly competitive; calling for a need for educators to question if institutions provide adequate resources for students’ career sustainability. Through e-mail interviews with industry professionals, fresh graduates and current students, this study will present first-hand insights into awareness and real-world strategies for career sustainability in the industry. Findings seek to educate policy makers and educators on how to better prepare students for future careers.

Citation:
Oh, Jae-Eun. "Nurturing Aspiring Young Artists for the Animation and VFX Industry: A Singapore Perspective." Proceedings of the 11th DesignEd Asia Conference Hong Kong, 2015.

This article focuses on the encounters and exchanges between French and Chinese artists, art critics and curators from 1985–90 and their impact on the development of two important presentations of the ’85 New Wave movement in France: Magiciens de la Terre (1989) and Chine Demain pour Hier (1990). Drawing on interviews with French and Chinese artists, critics and curators, it argues how the politics of intercultural encounters influenced the curatorial frameworks of both these exhibitions. Such politics ranged from the conditions of artistic exchanges between France and China initiated under French cultural policies to issues of linguistic and cultural translation.

Citation:
Pocock, Melanie. "Terms of Encounter: The ’85 New Wave and France, Magiciens De La Terre and Chine Demain Pour Hier." Journal of Curatorial Studies, vol. 7, no. 1, 2015, pp. 35-54, doi:10.1386/jcs.4.1.34_1.