Content
Want to sink your teeth into the art world? Start off with a titbit from our collection of videos, podcasts, and learning packages, for a taste of more to come!
Check out our playlists for a curated collection of short videos or selected podcasts, for an easy introduction to various art topics.
Check our learning packages for a more in-depth resource list, to expand your understanding of art concepts.
Learning Package
How To View Art
The way we view art has changed with the proliferation of cameras, digital screens, duplicates and photo manipulation. The invention of the camera completely changed our sense of perspective because now we can see things in places our eyes have never travelled to. It has changed the context with which we view art because we can now see a painting or work in a different setting from what the artist intended, thus giving us a different perspective of the art.
Did you know...The camera’s history can be traced back to the Middle Ages with the first pinhole camera. A physicist by the name of Alhazen discovered the idea of Camera Obscura, which led him to the creation of the first pinhole camera. Camera Obscura, in short, is reproducing an image with colour and perspective preserved. 1. |
Videos
1. Ways of Seeing, Episode 1 (1972)
A BAFTA award-winning BBC series with John Berger, which rapidly became regarded as one of the most influential art programs ever made. In the first program, Berger examines the impact of photography on our appreciation of art from the past.
Source : John Berger / Ways of Seeing, Episode 1 (1972) (2012, October 8). tw19751. Retrieved 2022, February 15
2. Ways of Seeing, Episode 3 (1972)
With the invention of oil paint around 1400, painters were able to portray people and objects with an unprecedented degree of realism, and painting became the ideal way to celebrate private possessions. In this programme, John Berger questions the value we place on that tradition.
Source: John Berger / Ways of Seeing, Episode 3 (2019, December 21). tw19751. Retrieved 2022, February 15
3. Walter Benjamin: The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction
An introduction to the art critic Walter Benjamin and his most influential essay, the Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction. Including David Douglas's the Work of Art in the Age of Digital Reproduction.
Source: Walter Benjamin: The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction (2019, March 9). Then & Now. Retrieved 2022, February 15
4. How to Sound like you Understand Art
Do you question your ability to talk about art in a coherent way? Here are tips for how to sound like you understand art, even if you've never taken a class or set foot in a museum.
Source: How to Sound like you Understand Art (2019, March 9). The Art Assignment.. Retrieved 2022, March 10
5. Art and Empathy
Empathy is a term we hear a lot, but what does it mean and how does it work? Looking back through art history, we find many moments when art has allowed us to share in the feelings of others, from Maya Lin's Vietnam Veterans Memorial, to representations of the Buddhist deity Jizō Bosatsu, the ink drawings of Chittaprosad and Zainul Abedin, the work of Ghana Think Tank, and more.
Source: Art and Empathy (2019, March 9). The Art Assignment. Retrieved 2022, March 10
6. Art Explainer 1: The Power to Look
How does what you see in an artwork tell you how to look? Using three artworks from the Art Institute's collection, this video unpacks a central theme and uses innovative visual storytelling to highlight the choices artists made to shape form and meaning in their works.
Source: Art Explainer 1: The Power to Look (2019, March 9). The Art Institute of Chicago. Retrieved 2022, March 10
eBooks
1. Photography, A Very Short Introduction
Steve Edwards (2017), Photography, A Very Short Introduction , OUP Oxford.
In this thought-provoking exploration of the subject, Edwards interrogates the way we look and think about photographs, and considers such issues as truth and recording, objectivity and fine art, identity and memory.
Retrieved from NLB Overdrive (myLibraryid is required to access the eBook).
2. How to See
David Salle (2016), How to See, W. W. Norton & Company.
How does art work? How does it move us, inform us, challenge us? Renowned painter David Salle's incisive essay collection illuminates these questions by exploring the work of influential twentieth-century artists.
Retrieved from NLB Overdrive (myLibraryid is required to access the eBook).
3. About Looking
John Berger (2015), About Looking, Bloomsbury Publishing.
In About Looking, John Berger explores our role as observers to reveal new layers of meaning in what we see.
Retrieved from NLB Overdrive (myLibraryid is required to access the eBook).
4. On Photography
Susan Sontag (2014), On Photography, Penguin Books Ltd.
Susan Sontag's ground-breaking critique of photography asks forceful questions about the moral and aesthetic issues surrounding this art form. She examines the ways in which we use these omnipresent images to manufacture a sense of reality and authority in our lives.
Retrieved from NLB Overdrive (myLibraryid is required to access the eBook).
5. Art Theory, A Very Short Introduction
Cynthia Freeland (2017), Art Theory, A Very Short Introduction, OUP Oxford.
In this Very Short Introduction, Cynthia Freeland explains why innovation and controversy are valued in the arts, weaving together philosophy and art theory with many fascinating examples.
Retrieved from NLB Overdrive (myLibraryid is required to access the eBook).
6. The Art of Looking at Art
Gene Wisniewski (2020), The Art of Looking at Art, Bloomsbury Publishing.
There's an art to viewing art. Most people aren't sure what to do when standing before a work of art, besides gaze at it for what they hope is an acceptable amount of time. This book will help remedy that situation and answer many of the most frequently asked questions pertaining to the ma¬tter of art in general.
Retrieved from NLB Overdrive (myLibraryid is required to access the eBook).
Art Programmes in NLB
There’s more to explore! Get real time notifications of the different Art programs and initiatives organised by us through this link: go.gov.sg/learnxartsfb to find the right one for you!
References
- Jade. (2021, November 8). The History of the Camera History Things. Retrieved 2022, February 15 from History Things.
Learning Package
Fabulously Felted
Create your own Fabulously Felted world by following alongside our demonstration videos and patterns! Each Package has its own theme, ranging from sea creatures to holidays to cute mascots, so there is something that will tickle everyone’s fancy, with extra book resources for further reading on the topics. Projects range from beginner to intermediate.
Deep Sea Critters!
Explore the depths of the ocean—but cuter. Follow the demonstration clips provided and the pattern templates and make your own cute and cuddly versions of deep sea creatures!
Zodiac Race!
In a whimsical twist on the traditional tale, follow the demonstration clips provided and the pattern templates to create the race-car versions of the Chinese zodiac animals!
12 Days of Christmas!
Four calling birds, three French hens, two turtledoves, and a (felted) partridge in a (felted) pear tree! (P.S. Felted things make very good Christmas tree decorations.)
Ice Age!
Go back in time, all the way to the Ice Age, to revive these long-extinct creatures in their miniature fuzzy forms.
Freaky Fruits!
Taking fruits going bad to a whole new level, create these creepy-cute freaky fruits for your next Halloween party.
Heroes!
Can’t get enough of superhero movies? Assemble your own team of tiny heroes to fight crime against all of felt-kind.
Local Finger Food!
Sew up your own buffet of your favourite local finger foods and pile them up on your plate! Warning: this project might make you hungry.
Dinosaurs!
Go back to a land before time, and sew up some tiny felt dinosaurs for your own tiny Jurassic Park.
Quiet Book
A quiet book is a felt or fabric book with interactive elements meant to provide sensory stimulation for young children to play with. This kitchen-themed quiet book introduces children to the concept of cutting, mixing, baking, and frying, all in a soft and fuzzy felt package.
Quiet Book 2
A quiet book is a felt or fabric book with interactive elements meant to provide sensory stimulation for young children to play with. This clothing-themed quiet book introduces children to the concept of folding, buttoning, zipping and tying, all in a soft and fuzzy felt package.
Christian Andersen
Bring the classic characters from Hans Christian Andersen’s timeless fairy-tales to life, in adorable felt doll form—they make excellent storytelling props too!
Masterpieces!
Can fine art be Fabulously Felted? The answer is a resounding yes! Re-create these art masterpieces in felt form, and become an artist yourself!
Flowers
Real flowers may wilt and die, but felt flowers last forever. Bloom your own felt garden with this intermediate-level project.
PRESSPLAY Special Mixtape
Proudly wear your favourite tunes on your sleeve with this felt cassette tape cardholder, in collaboration with PRESSPLAY.
Christmas!
We wish you a felty Christmas and a fabulous New Year with these festive felt mascots.
Dessert
Satisfy your sweet tooth without the calories in this craft project.
Shakespeare!
“To felt, or not to felt, that is the question?” Re-enact Shakespeare’s comedies and tragedies with his iconic characters in felt form.
Playlist
A collection of short videos or selected podcasts, exploring topics around personal and professional development.
Playlist: Art History & the Chronology of Western Art Periods
Art History & the Chronology of Western Art Periods examine the broader aspects of visual culture, including the various visual and conceptual outcomes related to an ever-evolving definition of art. Art history encompasses the study of objects created by different cultures around the world and throughout history that convey meaning, importance or serve usefulness primarily through visual representations.
Why You Don't Like Art History
Was your Art History class an endless succession of names and dates and movements? Art History doesn't have to be that way. The video discusses new and compelling approaches to the study of art.
Source: Why You Don't Like Art History (2018, May 18). The Art Assignment. Retrieved 2022, February 16.
The Evolution of Art (and how it Shaped the Modern World)
This video is a comprehensive overview of the evolution of art and its influence on societies and civilisations throughout history, across the globe.
Source: The Evolution of Art (2017, July 14). La Volpe. Retrieved 2022, February 16.
Baroque - Overview - Goodbye-Art Academy
This series of videos gives a detailed overview of the different Western Art Periods.
Source: Baroque – Overview (2014, March 17). Philinthecircle. Retrieved 2022, February 16.
The Case for Impressionism
Impressionism is one of the best known and loved movements in Art History, but why? The video presents a case for why Impressionism is interesting and worth your attention and admiration.
Source: The Case for Impressionism (2018, October 18). The Art Assignment. Retrieved 2022, February 16.
The Case for Realism
What's the point of making realistic paintings when photography can do the trick? The video looks at the history of artists recreating the world as we see it and ponder why it's still happening.
Source: The Case for Realism (2018, September 21). The Art Assignment. Retrieved 2022, February 16.
The Case for Surrealism
"Surrealism" has become shorthand for the bizarre, the irrational, the hallucinatory. But what is it? The video delves into the history of Surrealism, as it formed in post-World War I Europe and as it has infiltrated our wider culture up to today.
Source: The Case for Surrealism (2017, March 17). The Art Assignment. Retrieved 2022, February 16.
The Case for Abstraction
For much of human history, people made art by trying to represent the world as it appeared around them. Until about 100 years ago, when a bunch of artists stopped trying to do that. How are we supposed to deal with art completely removed from recognizable objects? And why should we?
Source: The Case for Abstraction (2016, July 29). The Art Assignment. Retrieved 2022, February 16.
The Case for Minimalism
You've probably seen a few cubes sitting in an art gallery and questioned why they were there. How could cubes be important? How did we get here? This video tries to explain that.
Source: The Case for Minimalism (2015, March 26). The Art Assignment. Retrieved 2022, February 16.
Art History: Renaissance to 20th Century
This is a year-long college-level survey course in art history. It covers art history from the European Renaissance around 1300 A.D. until the mid-20th century as well as the language used to discuss art.
Source: Art History Renaissance to 20th Century (2020, August). Kenney Mencher, Udemy. Retrieved 2022, March 31.
Learning Package
Performing Arts
Our curated book and video resources from the library@esplanade collections introduce the fundamentals of performing arts and support the patron’s learning and experience.
The People
Learn more about the roles and responsibilities of industry professionals who bring the performing arts to life!
The Masters
Discover some of the greatest performing arts visionaries, their artistic excellence, and how they have changed the performing arts landscape.
Videos
1. Keyboard Chords | Book It Out #08
Learning to play a musical instrument can be expensive. Library officer Kurniawan Amir takes us along on his journey to learn how to play and compose music on a keyboard with just a book—How to Write Songs on Keyboards by Rikky Rooksby.
Source: Keyboard Chords | Book It Out #08 (2022, March 15). NLB Singapore . Retrieved 2022, April 27.
2. Street Dance Exercises | Book It Out #06
Looking for a fun sweat-it-out activity to do at home? Join library officer Nur Arjuna Karim as she picks up street dance moves and gets fit with the book Street Dance: The Best Moves by D. J. Hooch.
Source: Street Dance Exercises | Book It Out #06 (2021, November 18). NLB Singapore. Retrieved 2022, April 27.
3. Hungry for Horror: Why Do We Crave What We Fear? | The Library Report #11
Why are we drawn to horror stories? What are the unique characteristics of reading a horror novel compared to watching a horror movie? Join Librarian Meryl Chin and local filmmaker Kelvin Tong as they discuss the ways horror stories continue to appeal and tantalise generations of us.
Source: Hungry for Horror: Why Do We Crave What We Fear? | The Library Report #11 (2019, March 9). NLB Singapore Retrieved 2022, April 27.
Articles
1. Finding Courage with Film Music
Film music plays the indispensable function of accentuating emotions and moods in a film. This article lists some signature pieces by iconic film composers that you can listen for free from our online music resource, NAXOS Music Library.
Source: Finding Courage with Film Music (2020, May 19). Public Libraries Singapore. Retrieved 2022, April 27.
2. 4 Easy Musical Instruments for Beginners
Want to pick up a new skill and hobby? Why not learn to play a musical instrument? This article lists instruments that are relatively easy to pick up, affordable and allow you to enjoy playing music on your own without the need of joining an ensemble.
Source: 4 Easy Musical Instruments for Beginners. (2020, Dec 24). Public Libraries Singapore. Retrieved 2022, April 27.
3. From Stage to Screen: 3 Hit TV Series That Were Plays First
The amphitheatre of the Greeks, the proscenium stage on West End, the wayang platform in Singapore — these venues of entertainment where live performances took place were locations that first kept people glued to their seats. With the arrival of cinema and television, producers and screenwriters began turning to the theatre for inspiration, adapting stage plays and musicals for film and TV. This article lists three hit screenplays and TV shows that first graced the stage.
Source: From Stage to Screen: 3 Hit TV Series That Were Plays First. (2021, Jan 21). Public Libraries Singapore. Retrieved 2022, April 27.
4. Popular Disney Songs for Instrumentalists
Instrumental musicians often face the challenge of covering popular songs in the absence of lyrics — a struggle that vocalists may not be conscious of. Lyrics and lyrical variations help to break the monotony of repeated notes or melodic lines common in pop melodies, otherwise, such songs can end up sounding dull and monotonous when performed solely with instruments. This problem is exacerbated for instruments that are not truly polyphonic like the flute or violin. This article lists noteworthy musical pieces from Disney movies that can be added to an instrumentalist’s repertoire.
Source: Popular Disney Songs for Instrumentalists. (2021, March 23). Public Libraries Singapore. Retrieved 2022, April 27.
5. Book It Out: Reviving Your Enjoyment of Music
Ever felt that you aren’t enjoying music as much as you used to? Perhaps you’ve exhausted your playlists, or repeated them too many times. Perhaps your taste in music has changed or matured, and it’s time to explore other genres. Whatever the reason, this article lists three ways to revive your enjoyment of music!
Source Book It Out: Reviving Your Enjoyment of Music. (2022, March 17). Public Libraries Singapore. Retrieved 2022, April 27.
6. Book It Out: Ways to Dance Yourself to Fitness
Do you like to start the day by doing something active and fun? If that tickles your fancy, here are some dance genres you can take inspiration from and incorporate into your fitness routine.
Source: Book It Out: Ways to Dance Yourself to Fitness (2021, November 18). Public Libraries Singapore. Retrieved 2022, April 27.
Art Programmes in NLB
There’s more to explore! Get real time notifications of the different Performing Arts programs and initiatives organised by us through this link: go.gov.sg/learnxartsfb to find the right one for you!