Detail: Biennale theme: Wonder
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The Singapore Biennale 2008 (SB2008) succeeds the successful first version of the Singapore Biennale, entitled "Belief" in 2006 by developing, expanding and reflecting on the inaugural Singapore biennale of international contemporary art.
The artistic director, together with the curatorial team, has decided on the theme "Wonder" for SB2008. Through wonderment of the power of art and its visions, we intend the next biennial to perform as a meaningful commentary to the first one, as well as introducing a critical stance to the banal awareness of everyday reality.It performs as a critical commentary to the first edition, as well as introduces a critical stance with regard to events in the world.
"'Wonder' is defined as a feeling of surprise and admiration caused by something beautiful, unexpected or unfamiliar” and as a verb, it is not only to 'feel curious' or 'desire to know', but also to 'feel doubt.' – (Concise Oxford Dictionary, 11th Edition, pp 1658, 1859)
The notions of wonder have developed historically. The From the Latin word mirari, which means to wonder or marvel at, while to miraculum which was used in the Latin translation of the Greek New Testament to indicate "anything wonderful, beyond human power, and deviating from the common action of nature, a supernatural event." ("Miracle", Encyclopedia Brittannica). Due to the natural sciences, this mystical or faith-induced idea of wonder became more metaphysical, and another derivation came about: to that of a more metaphysical derivation: admirari (and then admiration). (Condensed from:condensed from, A Philosophy of Wonder, Howard Parsons, Philosophy and Phenomenological Research, V30, N1,(Sep 1969)).
Following the direction taken by the sciences, Aristotle declares the beginning of philosophy ais wonder, while ) and specula (speculation) being is also drawn from this ideawonder. Faith and science encapsulate wonder's conceptual frame. And from these two bodies of thought The creation of much of contemporary art takes its cue. from these two bodies of thought. The bodies of thought: being that of faith and science, the opposites. Philosophy is considered a science.
Wonder issues a challenge to the contemporary world that neither questions choices intelligently nor allows for things and events to awe us. Hence the scope for this exhibition: That Wonder, through contemporary art, would call us to question and be curious; to let ourselves be surprised, awed, tantalized, challenged. A moving on from Belief at SB2008.