Edward Paul Chia
The biggest media-based youth arts festival in Singapore is back for its 3rd year running. That’s right, Noise Singapore has returned and is set to pave the way for Singaporean youths aged 25 and below to have their voices or works seen in the local arts scene.
According to The National Arts Council, The Noise Festival was envisioned as a platform for youths “to present their fresh and innovative works to a wide audience” through media like the radio, television, newsprint and internet.
And the new tagline for this year’s festival: “We’re all ears!” is certainly a rallying call for talented youths across the island to come out and let their creativity be seen and heard.
Let’s make some NOISE!
So what kind of racket does Noise actually create that provides youths with that platform to shine?
No, you won’t get a bad-hair tycoon yelling at you, but you could be fired up because under the apprenticeship programme’s 3 categories, Art & Design, Music and Photography, youths are put under the guidance of gurus of their respective businesses from Aug 27 to Oct 22. Mentors include the likes of Imran Ajmain, the winner of Best New Artiste at the Anugerah Planet Muzik 2007 Awards
According to Ms Chua Ai Liang, Director of Audience Development for the National Arts Council, this year’s approach will differ from last year’s, which focussed on “mentors helping their apprentices realise their dreams”. Instead, 2007 will be “more hands on”, with apprentices working on their mentor’s commercial projects and undoubtedly getting a chance to have “a leg up in the creative industries”.
To participate, the participant must submit a portfolio of 5 works and a 1-page write up to explain why he or she deserves that shot at www.noisesingapore.com by Aug 10.
Well, even if you don’t fancy a mentor, the 3 competitions that Noise has lined up might be up your alley.
a) MTV Shoot and Snip
Well, budding Royston Tans, while this isn’t a re-make of 15, it’s nonetheless a film competition that will tackle another major issue in society, the AIDS issue. Participants are expected to express their personal opinions on the fatal disease through the scripting, shooting and editing of 30-second video clips.
The good thing is you can use practically anything to produce your masterpiece. From animation, to still photos to even claymation.
While participants stand a chance to win MTV goodies bags, according to the organisers, “The most original and creative entry will stand a chance to be featured on MTV Pop Inc and be seen by audiences in Southeast Asia.” Now that’s what we call, exposure.
Literary Animation
As the name suggests, it does revolve around Literature. Let freedom and expression take control as you’ll be asked to transform 22 literary works from poems to short stories composed by Singaporeans into animated works of art.
Besides the winning works being exhibited at the Noise Singapore 2007 Showcase (scheduled for Nov) and website, they’ll also be transported to Beijing and Shanghai, where they’ll be on display at the Singapore Season. According to the National Arts Council, the project is a “multi-agency effort showcasing Singapore’s artistic and cultural achievements in key global cities.
c) “We Make Noise, Not Clothes”
It’s not every day that you get a chance to get your own designs printed on a T-shirt. And we’re not talking about those personalised shirts you can do at the printers. We’re referring to your T-shirt getting produced as a limited edition T-shirt by local fashion label, Flesh Imp.
Plus, the best creation will be adapted as this year’s Noise T-shirt. The top prize includes a cash prize of $500, $300 Flesh Imp vouchers and 1 Designer’s FLMPLTD Tee Shirt worth $69.
How cool is the prospect of seeing youths walk down Orchard Road in clothes designed by yourself?
Alright, so you hate following selected themes because they stifle your creativity.
But nonetheless, you still believe that your work is more than good enough to be exhibited at a showcase or heard by the masses. Then the solution is here, the Open Categories for Music, Art & Design and Photography.
All short-listed works will be showcased through the various media available from such as the Noise Showcase scheduled for later in the year.
Competition/Open Categories Requirements
To compete in the various competitions or Open Categories, all you have to do is submit your work online at www.noisesingapore.com by Sep 30, so don’t rush. Take your time to complete your masterpiece!
After all, we’ll definitely be going, “We’re all ears!”
Inspirational Catalyst
What kind of people would we at the UrbanWire be if we didn’t provide you with some soothing music to inspire you and at the same time provide you with a chance to measure how good last year’s talents were?
Here’s one of the short-listed bands from last year’s festival, Auburn’s Epiphany with “Sweet Dreams Nutcracker Boy” courtesy of the National Arts Council.