UNKNOWN OUTCOMES

Singapore Biennale 2025 challenges the idea of a purely planned city state

- STORY: THANA BOONLERT

Upon arrival at Singapore Art Museum (SAM), visitors scratch their heads over a mysterious object.

A marine bollard by Tanatchai Bandasak, a Bangkok-based artist, marks an imaginary shoreline.

On loan from Pasir Panjang Container Terminal, the threshold of land and sea marks a key moment when, following its separation from Malaysia in 1965, Singapore expanded its gateway to the wider world.

Coinciding with the city-state's 60th anniversary, this year's Singapore Biennale wrestles with the theme of "pure intention". Commissioned by the National Arts Council, Singapore and organised by SAM, the eighth edition presents over 100 pieces of contemporary art in multiple venues, ranging from historic sites to commercial districts, which are publicly accessible in everyday life.

"Coming to pure intention, we feel that it sounds deeply earnest, but very suspicious. Can intention ever be pure?" Selene Yap said, seeming to read my mind. Other curators are Hsu Fang-Tze, Duncan Bass and Ong Puay Khim.

"Singapore is completely built on intention. A lot of things are planned. But for us, life also finds itself in the middle of gaps, where things outlive purposes or things we didn't plan for thrive. It is a pretext to bring together artists, institutions and public to really pull the moment of continuous conversation. Pure intention is really for us to think about system and improvisation, control and chance, and progress and afterlife."

Intention apparently guides Singapore in its pursuit of development. It is written into public policy, undergirding the national pledge "to achieve happiness, prosperity and progress".