Curating No-Thing Lecture #1: Activism

Synopsis

In this first Curating No-thing lecture, Dr. Ong Keng Sen introduces the concept of no-thing as an inversion, a critique, a resistance, and a destabilisation of power and privilege, control and hegemony. Through specific experiences of activism situated in Myanmar and nomadic residency, the Flying Circus Project in 2013, Ong traces acts of creative practice on the frontlines and reflects on the translocal discourse generated. Unpacking processes of small actions and little democracies, world-creating and planetary humanism, Ong introduces rich topics relevant to reconsidering, and infusing new considerations, into the curatorial process.

“I never use the term programmer as I would like to think you are a curator and I hope you can own your work, or your institution can embrace the reality of what you do.” – Dr. Ong Keng Sen

In May 2020, T:>Works initiated its first virtual event, a series of alternative training and a shared space led by its Artistic Director, Dr. Ong Keng Sen for The Curators Academy. Titled Curating No-thing, it is the first thought leadership programme by an arts company. This programme looked at activating one’s communities through art and rethinking our relationships with money and production. Beginning with lectures, the series culminated with consultations and clinics in June 2020.

About Dr. Ong Keng Sen

Dr. Ong Keng Sen is an artist-curator as well as the Artistic Director of T:>Works and the artspace 72-13 in Singapore. Apart from creating renowned productions, Ong founded the Arts Network Asia, a micro-grant peer organisation, and the international Curators Academy focused on the synergy between contexts and curation. His seminal work was the nomadic artist residency, The Flying Circus Project, traveling international artists through Asia, sharing their contexts amongst themselves and young people in the local sites. Ong was the Founding Festival Director of the all-new Singapore International Festival of Arts (SIFA).