Pulp III: A Short Biography of the Banished Book

Pulp III: A Short Biography of the Banished Book

WHEN
6 – 24 January 2023
VENUE
ArtScience Museum, Level 4 (go to Google maps)
OPENING HOURS
10am–7pm
ADMISSION
Free Admission
WEBSITE
https://pulp-iii.com

Pulp III: A Short Biography of the Banished Book

Commissioned by NAC for the Singapore Pavilion at Biennale Arte 2022 in Venice, Pulp III: A Short Biography of the Banished Book by Shubigi Rao returns to Singapore.

This presentation marks the midpoint of Shubigi Rao’s ongoing ten-year project 'Pulp', which explores the history of book destruction and its impact on the futures of knowledge. Set in the historic cities of print of Venice and Singapore, her film, 'Talking Leaves', explores the tales of those at the frontlines of saving books and libraries, by ways of personal confidences and poetic reflections, documentary and mytho-poetic languages. Her book, 'Pulp III: An Intimate Inventory of the Banished Book', chronicles her long-term artistic research process and conceptual reframing of the book and the library.

Multiple screenings, together with the exhibition of the book, will take place at ArtScience Museum.

Credits: Antiquarian bookseller Federico Bucci opens a censored, sixteenth-century edition of worksby Francesco Petrarca, Venice, Italy, 2021. Image courtesy of Shubigi Rao.

Curator: Ute Meta Bauer
Artist: Shubigi Rao

Film: Talking Leaves

6—24 Jan 2023
 

Daily Screenings at: 11am - 12.30pm, 1 - 2.30pm, 3 - 4.30pm*, 5 - 6.30pm**

Guests are advised to arrive early to collect headsets and to secure a seat.

* No 3pm screening on 10 and 13 Jan 2023
** No 5pm screening on 7, 8, 12 - 15 and 17 Jan 2023

Talking Leaves weaves together the mytho-poetics of legendary libraries, half-truths, hearsay, and contested narratives, forming a lyrical manuscript that is a lush celebration of the unquenchable human need to tell and share stories, and a haunting elegy to waning communities of print.

The film draws on footage from five years of filming across the world including Singapore and Venice, a city that embodies a vital history of print and open access. It depicts, among other stories, how books from a now-defunct archive of women partisans and genocide survivors are rescued. Those at the frontlines of saving books and libraries speak of smuggling volumes out of danger, preserving endangered languages and vanishing cultures, while sharing the sorrow of losing access to personal and collective pasts and histories.

Special Screening of Talking Leaves

5 Jan 2023, 8.00 – 10.30pm

Location: Capitol Theatre, 17 Stamford Rd, Singapore 178907
Free admission, registration applies.

This special screening is part of the "return" show of the Singapore Pavilion, Pulp III: A Short Biography of the Banished Book, by artist Shubigi Rao and curated by Ute Meta Bauer, first presented at the 59th International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia from April to November 2022. This screening at Capitol Theatre, one of Singapore’s finest cinemas in the 1930s and a significant player in the Malayan cinema industry in its heyday, is a reminder of Singapore’s vital film history.

The Making of the Singapore Pavilion 2022

7 Jan 2023, 5.00pm – 6.30pm

Location: ArtScience Museum, L4
Free admission, registration applies.

Joined by Honor Harger, Vice-President of ArtScience Museum and Attractions, artist Shubigi Rao, curator Ute Meta Bauer and exhibition designer Laura Miotto will discuss the making of the Singapore Pavilion at the Biennale Arte 2022 and the exhibition in Singapore.

Backstories from Talking Leaves and Pulp Vol. III

13 Jan 2023, 3.00pm – 4.30pm

Location: ArtScience Museum, L4
Free admission, registration applies.

Join us for an intimate sharing by artist Shubigi Rao of the people, events and narratives featured in her film and book.

Conversation about Talking Leaves

17 Jan 2023, 5.00pm – 6.30pm

Location: ArtScience Museum, L4
Free admission, registration applies.

Filmmaker Kirsten Tan, Karen Chan, Executive Director, Asia Film Archive, and sound designer, Zai Tang, will be in conversation with artist Shubigi Rao about her film.

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