From the Editor

What a difference a year makes.

If ever there was a year in which this old chestnut cracks open to reveal its kernel of truth, 2009 must’ve been it.

It was a year book-ended by despair and optimism, that began with a pendulum swing that took the world economy down and ended with a growing belief that all would be well in the end.

It was also a year that affirmed how the arts has sunk its roots here, flowering in record attendances at events and festivals.

Crisis? What crisis? Look at the near sold-out concerts by international acts like Oasis, Keane and Aimee Mann. Not forgetting the F1 Rocks extravaganza that pumped up the decibels alongside the beautiful, mean racing machines. Look no further than the staggering S$5 million worth of artworks sold at the five-day ARTSingapore at Suntec City. And look closely at how the Singapore Arts Festival registered 93 per cent of ticket sales, or some 40,000 tickets, its best showing since 1986.

Are the good times back? Maybe. Which is why we’ve called this edition of i-AM our recession issue.

Jacinda Marion Sureni Salgadoe, for instance, examines the impact of the recession on the local theatre scene. Rachel Koh discusses how some Singapore artists and arts groups are marketing themselves – cheaply – through Facebook, while Eunice Yee asks if museums could possibly market themselves better by tagging on the coattails of celebrities. Desmond Chew finds out how Indonesian photographer Jerry Aurum walks the tightrope between commercial and artistic concerns, while Mariam Ayoob looks at how a British reality TV show featuring artists has stirred up controversy and accusations of crass commercialism.

We’re also starting a series called Interactions which brings together practitioners, professionals and academics from the creative industries to share their views and knowledge through two channels, Interactions@i-am as well as Interactions-Live, a public lecture series held throughout the year at LASALLE. Kicking off this issue is Chew Suyin, Head of the School of Integrated Studies at LASALLE, who spoke with an academic, a dance-maker and an art therapist on how the economic recession has impacted on the arts in Sigapore.

Enjoy!

Felix Cheong
Chief Editor