Analogue photography, flash fiction, lettering, improv comedy? Been thinking about it for a while but…just…haven’t…quite…mustered up the gumption…to roll up your sleeves and try it? In his book, Anam Cara, the late John O’Donohue touches on the poetics of growth: “Possibility and change become growth within the shape of time that we call a day…Your life takes the form of each new day that is given to you.”

I’m not suggesting that you immediately learn how to fly a plane or man a submarine – not unless you absolutely want to. But you could consider the possibility of allowing yourself a little creative R&R.

In addition to a visual arts gallery and performances ranging from theatre to spoken word to music, Lit Up 2013 offers workshops that will leave you feeling great about a creative weekend well spent; a creative weekend *given* to you.

I checked in with three of the workshop presenters to give you your sneak peek into the festival’s workshops.

LOMOGRAPHY

1. What are the key facets of your workshop? What can participants look forward to?
Aside from learning the basics of analogue photography, participants will get to try their hand (and eye!) on an all-time favourite activity of Lomographers – the film swap! They’ll get to shoot on the same roll of film twice, first on the La Sardina camera, next on a multi-lens camera. Imagine a photo of yourself with a patterned print over your face – you’ll learn how to create those at the workshop without the use of Photoshop!

2. What are your thoughts on this year’s “Progression” theme?
This year’s theme is one that’s virtually impossible for anyone who grew up in a city not to have a connection with. Personally, the dissonance of progression is something I have made work about, particularly in response to the encroachment on green space in Singapore under the guise of urban redevelopment. I am extremely excited to see what perspectives other artists, writers and performers arrive at with regards to this all-encompassing theme.

In fact, Kenneth – along with Brian William Forst – is also designing one of the festival venue’s two courtyards. That’s given him the space to express his views on “Progression”. More on that in my next post!

FLASH FICTION

1. What exactly is Flash Fiction?
Flash fiction is simply a term for short-form fiction. It’s also called micro-fiction. It can range from anywhere between a few hundred to a thousand words. Flash fiction usually has major plot elements such as protagonist, antagonist, conflict, and resolution, but some of these elements as well as motivations of characters are sometimes implied rather than fully fleshed out due to the very restrictive word count.

Participants can look forward to having fun at the workshop, first and foremost! I’m using very random and quirky writing prompts and exercises (collaborative and individual) and theory is going to be kept to a minimum. They can also look forward to breaking free of inhibitions and second-guessing that plague all writers – veterans and fledglings alike.

2. What are your thoughts on this year’s “Progression” theme?
I like this year’s theme. To me, it’s a fitting continuation from last year’s, which was “Occupied Art”. Lit Up 2012 was about occupied spaces in memory, in the city, in buildings. This year’s theme seems to be looking outward and forward instead, looking at the steps we take as artists – it isn’t a direct journey from point A to point B, but small steps (and hopefully, big ones too).

LETTERING

1. What are the key facets of your workshop? What can participants look forward to?
If you have wondered how hand-painted signs are written or would like to gain a basic appreciation for hand lettering, this workshop will whet your appetite. We will revisit the fundamentals of forming uppercase letters with an eye for good contrast and proportion. The workshop emphasises comfortable posture, holding a writing instrument and co-ordinating our movements between the digits, wrist and elbow.

2. How does good lettering fit in with artistic expression?
Visual expression requires taste and discipline, but a fluency in forms and shapes is also important. While the initial stages of lettering start with an aggregation of simple shapes, constantly recording fluid hand movements in muscle memory can make the creation of more complex art an exercise in intuition. Plus, this year’s theme of “Progression” is expressed in this workshop as the progressive building of geometry and hand movements with just pen and paper. 

[Lettering workshop on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/517576968296639/]

For more information and to sign up for the workshops:
http://www.litup.sg/#!workshops/c1kro

Lit Up 2013 festival details:
19 to 21 July 2013
Opens at 7pm on Friday 19 July
Aliwal Arts Centre, 28 Aliwal Street Singapore 199918
For the full programme and more information:
Website: www.litup.sg
Facebook: www.facebook.com/LitUpSingapore

[Related posts: Introduction to Lit Up 2013, She Walks Like A Free Country]