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Old School

A small group of visionaries has plans to turn the former Methodist Girls School located on Mount Sophia in Singapore into a nexus of artistic activity. These five visionaries are united not just by their creative ability, but also their interest in contemporary urban culture. With their deep-rooted curiosity, they are atempting to go to against the tide of tradition, to alter the relationship between art and commerce and to address the development of future creativity, traditional and contemporary, creativity and functionality.

Shift interviewed the team Old School.

Old SchoolOld School


How do you define Old School? What is Old School?

Old School, aptly defined as Digs for New School Thinkers is a creative space intent on being a nexus for artistic activity and be one of the main arteries for the dialogue of creativity. Now a home to visionaries, pioneers and those brave enough to swim against the tide of conventional thinking, Old School is a space for inspired mavericks and the restlessly creative. With its mixed-use development – incorporating ground-floor art galleries & café space, creative studios, artist studios and an art film theatre along with contemporary and guerilla art and popular culture events, Old School is not only a place for showcasing interesting art forms but also a place for exchange and stimulation. It’s also a free form space for young talents to curate and interact – a platform for discovery and to be discovered.

Old School
CDG Guerilla Store


How did you focus attention on the legendary Methodist Girls School to be turned into Old School?

The former Methodist Girls School site was a cluster of splendid buildings, rich in history and architecture. The partners could easily feel the charm amidst the state of abandonment when they first set eyes on it.

Its location was also perfect – set in the Central Arts District, and neighbors to the new School of Arts, the various design & arts schools and Esplanade. We immediately saw the opportunity to turn the former school site into a creative hub in particular multi-genre, multi-discipline creative arts.

Old School
Osage Gallery


Please introduce us the members and systems of Old School.

Here is the Old School Team.

Ken CHONG is a Singapore-born entrepreneur and a comic lover. His interest in the fantasy world of comic heroes started in university – Ken set up a business distributing Hong Kong and Japanese ‘manga’ or comics during his student days. Upon graduation, he cut his teeth in the stock and oil trading business but soon after left the industry to focus on building his comics distribution business in Singapore, a multi-billion dollar global market business. That started his decade long love affair with the artistic world, fuelled by the family’s art gallery business. His passionate commitment to ‘creative art’ has been expressed through a series of pioneering concepts including Japanese lifestyle cafes, internet comics’ café as well as a bespoke printing company. Ken is a graduate in Business Administration from National University of Singapore.

Andrew LAU is an architect by profession. Born in Malaysia but now a Singapore Permanent Resident, Andrew studied in England and it was during this time that his interest in the arts was nurtured. His keen instincts for the mood and feel of popular culture were honed during his student days and more recently, his global travels typically crosses multiple continents in any given year. His love for the arts has seen Andrew’s involvement in various fundraisers for Singapore arts groups such as Singapore Dance Theatre and Wild Rice Theatre Company. His other love is music and has taken to playing the guitar, after-hours. Andrew holds a Bachelor of Science from University College London, a MSC from University of London and a MBA in Construction and Real Estate from University of Reading.

In the vanguard of new media revolution, Shawn LOO spearheads the digital proliferation across the BBH Asia Pacific network. A self-taught interactive art director, his four-year advertising career is by all means, accidental. Versed with his incisive approach towards technology, design, and popular culture, his works have garnered slews of international awards,accreditation as jury to the Crowbars, DM Asia and Creative Circle Awards for three years running and guest speaker at the NUS Business faculty.

Mabel TAY was born in Malaysia, educated in Singapore, citizen of the World. A highly regarded brand strategist and marketing professional, Mabel gave up being at the pinnacle of a corporate career to devote herself to being a ‘fixer’ - collaborating with other strategists, creative directors, writers, designers and producers, to produce ideas that integrate business needs with creative communications. Mabel now runs her own marketing consultancy. An aesthete, she is also a keen observer of popular urban culture and contemporary art enthusiast.

Old School
The Art Studio


Could you list and describe some projects that Old School has developed?

Since its opening in October 2007, Old School have since showcased first-rate art exhibitions including Dual City Sessions: NULL (Nov 27 - Dec 8, 2007), Kustaa Saksi: OFFPISTE In The Land of Kusta Saksi ( May 16 - 19, 2008) and will be presenting 'Insert Ttile', a multi art form exhibition by 13 young artists in September 2008, the Singapore International Photography Festival in October 2008, the +9 fashion event, the alternative platform presenting 9 young Singapore fashion designers in Nov 2008.

Old School
The Hall Event Space


Could you tell us about the 2902 Gallery, which is adopted by Old School to nurture photography works in the arts scene?

2902 Gallery is Singapore's first art gallery dedicated to photography and the biggest in South East Asia.
Since its opening on 29 February this year ( hence 2902), the gallery has been actively presenting exhibitions after exhibitions, promising new works every 18 days. In October 2008, together with Old School, 2902 Gallery will be presenting the inaugural Singapore International Photography Festival (SIPF) which will feature works from 60 international photographers including 8 Singaporeans.

Old School
Recess


Could you tell us the about some other collaborative projects including Singapore's first and only independent "Sinema Old School"?

Besides our collaboration with Sinema Old School, Old School also partners The Philharmonic Orchestra, The Philharmonic Chamber Choir and re:mix, a strings ensemble.
2902 Gallery, dedicated to the art of photography is also another partner in Old School's adoption program.
They were all chosen as we recognise the growing interest in photography, films & video art.

Old School
The Commons Event Space


What is currently going on at the Mount Sophia area? Do you feel any differences after Old School was established there?

When we first restored the 6-blocks property at Old School which was also designated as a conservation site, we took on the challenge of turning an ageing architectural monument into a hip, artist area. Since then, we have observed that more and more old buildings around Singapore have been used in more creative ways and in that sense, it has fulfilled our hopes of seeing Singapore re-discover its sensational old buildings rather than destroy it.

In Mount Sophia, now that it is a part of the Central Art District, the organic interconnects with other arts destination in the area will insert Old School into the growing artistic landscape and certainly, that has made Mount Sophia hipper. Its value to tourism is also only just beginning.

Old School


Could you tell us about the future plan?

Our project that is Old School reflects our intention. We will continue to make Old School a place for artistic discovery.

Because our lease with the Singapore government is only a short one (2 years + 1 year), we hope to do a good enough job of being a platform for new art forms and new artists, that Old School will continue beyond the lease dates.


Old School
Address: 11, Mount Sophia Singapore 228461
Tel: +65 6338 7682
info@oldschool.sg
http://oldschool.sg

Text: Yurie Hatano

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