Living Legacies is a new digital collaboration between the National Heritage Board and Plural Art Mag for the Singapore HeritageFest 2021, that explores the intersection between Singapore’s history, heritage and contemporary visual arts. For the very first time, local contemporary artists have been invited to respond to themes included in Singapore’s National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage, with a targeted view towards audience engagement in the digital realm.
This year’s inaugural edition of Living Legacies: In Sickness and In Health turns the focus onto health, wellness and healing. Included in Singapore’s National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage, traditional healing practices across different cultures have been passed down for generations by our ancestors. Today, amid the burgeoning wellness industry and despite the dominance of Western medicine, traditional healing practices have been retained and, in fact, have gained popularity for their holistic approaches towards wellness.
Responding to aspects of health and wellness across different ethnicities and cultures, three contemporary artists present newly commissioned digital artworks. The project is presented in a digital format with various touchpoints for audience participation. Through companion events and direct artist engagement (refer to Programmes below), this project seeks to introduce Singapore’s traditional healing practices to a wider worldwide audience, with her contemporary artists as guides to lead the way.
Step into the world of Singapore’s Living Legacies, as viewed through the eyes of her cutting-edge contemporary artists. Your journey starts here.
Accompanying Programmes
Join us on Zoom for the Living Legacies Quiz Night and put your knowledge of traditional healing and wellness practices to the test! Stand to win attractive prizes, including a 2D1N Staycation Package (Luxury Room) at Sofitel City Centre.
Intimidated? Don’t be! All questions are multiple-choice, and our friendly quiz hosts will take you through the answers so that you’ll leave with a better understanding of our traditional healing practices. All you’ll need is a good sense of humour and access to Zoom and Kahoot.
In this panel discussion, contemporary artists Adeline Kueh, Divaagar and la will share the processes behind their newly commissioned digital artworks for Living Legacies: In Sickness and In Health, and their personal experiences with traditional healing practices.
