Art Republik 18 ‘The A Team’ Issue, featuring Bvlgari and Collectives in the Southeast Asian Art World

In ‘The A Team’ issue, ART REPUBLIK examines collective efforts that have changed the way things are done to surprising result, from artist collectives to boutique art agencies.

We are pleased to celebrate the launch of Bvlgari’s newest B.Zero 1 ring in the Labyrinth collection with a special cover and feature spread. We also speak with Singapore band The Sam Willows, friends of the brand, to find out how they are challenging themselves as artistes and breaking rules to take their career to new heights.

For this issue’s collage cover, created by Senior Designer, Mossy Chew, the Bvlgari B.Zero 1 ring stack is juxtaposed with an image of spokesmodel Bella Hadid shot by Norwegian fashion photographer and filmmaker Sølve Sundsbø, with a focus on her piercing gaze that reveals her spirit as a bold and daring risk-taker. Rendered in an eye-catching combination of red and yellow to reflect the larger-than-life essence of Bvlgari that Hadid embodies, the cover artwork is ART REPUBLIK’s take on ruling by re-inventing the rules.

The stories of the teams featured, from The Sam Willows to the Daloy Dance Company and 98B COLLABoratory in the Philippines, The Archivist in Thailand, Stiev Selapak and Phare Ponleu Selpak in Cambodia and The Propeller Group in Vietnam, among others, reveal that they are all borne from and sustained by the conviction that more can be achieved with each team member bringing unique ideas, skillsets and connections to the table.

There are several institutional shows to check out in Southeast Asia at the same time, including dual exhibitions ‘What is Essential is Invisible to the Eye’ and ‘Exceptions of Rule: Counterpoints to Truth’ at ADM Gallery, ‘DIASPORA: Exit, Exile, Exodus of Southeast Asia’ at MAIIAM Contemporary Art Museum and ‘Rediscovering Forgotten Thai Masters of Photography’ at NUS Museum Singapore Art Museum.

It is the season for art fairs, and we look at what several Southeast Asian galleries are bringing to Art Basel Hong Kong and Art Central during Hong Kong Art Week, including STPI – Creative Gallery and Workshop, Richard Koh Fine Art and Opera Gallery.

In addition, we spotlight the significant role luxury brands are playing as art patrons. We look at how far the Audemars Piguet Art Commission has come since its launch in 2015, and the positive impact it has made on the art scene, as well as the Hugo Boss Asia Art Awards through an interview with 2017 finalist Robert Zhao Renhui.

‘The A Team’ is ART REPUBLIK’s fifth thematic issue under Managing Editor Nadya Wang. “For this issue, we sought to understand how collective efforts have been instrumental in making things happen in the Southeast Asian art world,” says Wang. “We trust that you will be inspired by the grassroots efforts that are developing the regional art scene.”

Mr. Olivier Burlot, CEO & Publisher at Heart Media, comments: “’The A Team’ issue marks a maturing of ART REPUBLIK’s direction after a full year’s thematic approach to bringing art news to its readers. I’m sure you will enjoy the incisive reportage by the team on stakeholders’ efforts to develop the Southeast Asian art world.”

ART REPUBLIK 18 will be on newsstands and bookstores 19 March 2018. It will be presented at Art Basel Hong Kong, Art Central, Art Paris, ART|JOG and Art Revolution Taipei as media partner of these fairs.

Visit ART REPUBLIK’s digital page, http://www.luxuo.com/artrepublik, for more art news. The tablet edition of ART REPUBLIK is also available for subscription on all Google Play and Apple Newsstands via Magzter, which is supported on all Android and Apple smart devices. Magzter access to the issue is available now.

Follow ART REPUBLIK on Instagram @art_republik.

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About Art Republik

ART REPUBLIK is Singapore’s premier quarterly magazine for the art enthusiast. The magazine is focused on Southeast Asian artists and other key players in the art community, especially on up-and-comers from Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, with an eye on what’s happening in Asia and the rest of the world. It aims to provide an inclusive and expansive exploration of the art world, from public museums to commercial galleries, and from policy-makers to artists as activists. With the tagline ‘Elitism for All’, the magazine provides insightful and engaging articles to inform and entertain, and is committed to making art accessible to one and all.

ART REPUBLIK is an official media partner with Art Stage Singapore, Art Stage Jakarta, Affordable Art Fair, Art Basel Hong Kong, Art Central, Hong Kong Art Week, Art Revolution Taipei, Art Taipei, Art Kaohsiung, Art Next Expo, Art Expo Malaysia Plus, Art Basel Miami Beach, Singapore Biennale, India Art Fair, Art Fair Philippines and Art Paris Art Fair.

About Heart Media

Heart Media, the publisher of Men’s Folio, L’OFFICIEL Singapore, L’OFFICIEL Malaysia, PALACE, ART REPUBLIK, WOW, WOW Jewellery, L’OFFICIEL HOMMES Singapore, FORM, ROOM magazines, is committed to publishing market leading magazines and digital media which connect with the region’s affluent and brand-conscious consumers through their chosen lifestyle activities. Heart Media’s titles have established solid reputations in their respective sectors with illustrious track records. Each one has built a strong market presence across Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia.

With a vision to strengthen its regional growth and offices in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Hong Kong and Shanghai, Heart Media is regarded as one of Asia’s fastest growing media and publishing houses.

For more information, please visit www.heart-media.com or get in touch at info@heart-media.com.