Abstract
This chapter explores the networks involved in the landscape of the artistic grassroots, state arts policy nexus, the Singaporean 'heartland' and how these encounters are played out upon/within the urban environment through the lens of the 'Awaken the Dragon' festival. It briefly outlines Singapore's 'cultural turn' and the context of the artistic grassroots in the city-state. Singaporean paradox clearly demonstrates the careful reading necessary of artistic criticality and its agents and networks in Singapore: 'forum theatre' contains distinctly radical potential, and has its origins in Marxist movements in South America – yet the way it has been co-opted, used and deployed by the authoritarian state means that it now falls under the state umbrella as a tool for nation-building and social harmony. As a participatory grassroots activity that brought thousands of Singaporeans together, 'Awaken the Dragon' succeeded in a way that many top-down arts initiatives have failed to do.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Public Art Encounters |
| Subtitle of host publication | Art, Space and Identity |
| Editors | Martin Zebracki, Joni Palmer |
| Place of Publication | London |
| Publisher | Taylor & Francis |
| Chapter | 3 |
| Pages | 35-50 |
| Number of pages | 16 |
| Edition | 1st |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 9781315602837 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9781472468796 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 5 Sept 2017 |
| Externally published | Yes |