Ong Kian Peng, 35
Media and Visual Artist
The march of technology has blurred the lines between art and science, and today’s artists are increasingly able to push and stretch the boundaries of their work to include electronic media and interactive elements.
Ong Kian Peng – more affectionately known as “Bin” by his friends – is one of Singapore’s top visual artists riding in the vanguard of multimedia and interactive art installations. His immersive and experiential artworks have earned him acclaim in art festivals and exhibitions all over the world, including Brazil, Hong Kong, Japan, London, Singapore, South Korea, and the US.
In 2015, he was presented with the President’s Young Talent award by the Singapore Art Museum, which recognises promising young artists below the age of 35.
This fall, Bin will bring his unique artistic perspective to the runway at the Singapore Fashion Week 2016, where he is slated to present Singaporean fashion designer MAX.TAN’s Spring/Summer 2017 showcase.
And what better way for Bin to unleash his creativity than in collaboration with Microsoft Surface?
As the Official Device Partner of the Singapore Fashion Week 2016, Microsoft Surface will be complementing Bin’s artistic vision with technology that combines thoughtful design and cutting-edge functions.
“Technology moves extremely fast, and every project brings new opportunities for me to push the limits of human senses and imagination. The integration of Microsoft Surface adds a very exciting dimension to my vision for this collaboration,” Bin said.
To better understand what’s in store for audiences of MAX.TAN’s showcase, Microsoft sits down with Kian Peng for a chat.
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Microsoft: In what ways does technology play into your creativity as a visual artist?
Bin: I work closely with technology – both hardware and software – as my primary medium, which brings with it a whole spectrum of possibilities.
It’s a little difficult to describe what I do – my work range from media installations to theatre productions, and sits at the intersection of art, science, and technology.
Most times you have to experience the end-result for yourself in order to understand the vision and intent behind my work. In my day-to-day work, I could be programming a kinetic sculpture, or sitting in front of a computer designing graphics for screen-based presentations.
The installation that won me the President’s Young Talent award, for example, is a two-part installation that combines audio-kinetic sculptures and a video of melting ice sheets and glaciers filmed in Greenland. It is meant to serve as a grim reminder of climate change and how it will impact us all.
My artworks have been displayed all over the world, including in the Singapore Art Museum and Substation locally. I have also worked with some event management companies for brands such as Fred Perry, Jaguar, Audi under my design studio Modular Unit.
This interest in space extends to sound as well, which is another part of this Singapore Fashion Week 2016 collaboration that I’m very excited about. (Ed: read our Q&A with the sound designer for MAX.TAN’s fashion showcase here)
MS: A “new media artist” isn’t exactly a job you can find on typical career guides. How did you get started with what you do?
Bin: This may sound like a cliché, but I totally did not grow up thinking I’d be doing what I’m doing, and it’s kind of an accidental journey for me.
I was one of those kids who wasn’t particularly impressed with school or office desk work, and wanted to do something that was unconventional and squeezed more creative juices out of me. But even though I enrolled in Temasek Polytechnic’s design course, I was often shot down by my lecturers for ideas that were deemed funny but useless.
National Service was a period of reflection for me, and over my two years of service I resolved to devote myself to the creative profession, and went back to school at LASALLE College of the Arts.
Over time, I became better at articulating my artistic vision, and was able to bring what I see in my head into real life once I mastered the key technical competencies.
There’s something wonderful and magical in being able to create experiences that transforms your audiences’ perspectives. Technology plays a critical role in enabling this experience.
MS: You’re using Surface Pro 4 in your work for the first time for Singapore Fashion Week 2016. How has that influenced your work?
Bin: My favourite part of Surface Pro 4 is how personal computing has reached the point where it serves more as an extension of how we work and think, instead of as a disparate tool that only serves us when we need it.
It’s thin and light, so I can carry it wherever I go and still stay creative and productive. I usually hesitate to take out my MacBook at meetings because it’s bigger and heavier; I do a double take and think about whether I really need to take out a laptop. But with Surface Pro 4, such concerns just don’t come to mind at all.
The design of the Type Cover is ingenious. I have the luxury of snapping it on and off and retain control over everything I need. It also adds a layer of protection over the screen. In comparison, other Bluetooth of tablet keyboards don’t come close to the full-featured Type Cover.
Most importantly, I never once have to doubt whether Surface Pro 4 can accomplish any task I have in mind. Unlike most other tablets, Surface Pro 4 runs full Windows 10 and has the full power of a laptop, so I have no problems dealing with running more resource intensive programmes like photo and video editing software.
The versatility and strong, distinctive design elements of Surface Pro 4 plays nicely with MAX.TAN’s latest collection. Stay tuned for how that has inspired my work in the Singapore Fashion Week 2016 showcase!
MS: In general, how do you find inspiration for your work?
Bin: In a way, we can look at the human body as a container for knowledge. Every day we take in new experiences, both mundane and life-changing, and we synthesise them into thoughts and ideas, which then translates back to how we live our lives.
This means anything and everything could inspire me. Just the other day, for example, I was doing the dishes and hit one of the bowls by accident. This produced an interesting sound that I’ve never heard before, and before long I was playing with all the bowls in the kitchen to see what else I could create.
That’s why I always pay attention to details that exist in everyday situations.
MS: What advice do you have for youth who wants to do what you do?
Bin: I would advise them to think very carefully about whether this is what they really want to commit their time and lives to.
I realised that just because I’m in the creative industry doesn’t mean I’m free from financial realities. I often have to juggle between making art for my own artistic visions and doing projects that bring in the money.
But then again, youth is the biggest capital you have when you’re young. In Singapore, many of us are fortunate enough to not worry about money for a few years after graduation. At the same time, Singapore is a society that slowly binds you as you age, with financial, social and family pressures, curbing much of your potential.
So go ahead and let passion drive you and see where it leads you to.
MS: Thank you for sharing with us, and all the best for your showcase at the Singapore Fashion Week!
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