Noise Singapore 2014 Is Calling For Submissions!

Red Dot Diva first noticed something called Noise Singapore back in 2012, when she stumbled upon an artistic showcase held at a space in ION's Basement level during her lunch hour.

The next year, the exhibition returned to ION Basement. This time, it had expanded to include a section on photography. She also noticed, that the level of art drawings were even better and visually memorable, like those manga-steampunk-mecha ones by NAFA graduate Gilang Andrian, and the cute very tongue-in-cheek ones, like the Milo Dinosaur by PuffingMuffin or the whimsically illustrated Enimalphabets by Aderyl Tan.

The free postcards promoting Noise Singapore 2013 were prettier than the previous year's too. It was too bad that Red Dot Diva missed out on the t-shirt giveaways but hey, maybe she will have a chance this year! (Dear Noise Singapore, will there be free t-shirts again?)

Because Noise Singapore is set to be back in 2014, creating more noise and more exposure for young artists. In fact, the initiative which is set up by the National Arts Council, is now calling for submissions.

A Spooky Q&A With Dave Chua - Writer of "The Girl Under The Bed"

Local readers may already be familiar with Dave Chua's award-winning novella "Gone Case" which was adapted into two graphic novels recently. The graphic novels - which depicted a boy's coming of age story in the very heartlands of the  HDB landscape - were a collaboration with artist Koh Hong Teng.

Both books were well-received by local readers mainly because it spoke right to the heart of the true-blue Red Dot Islander. Even more so when the books were visualized by Hong Teng, whose amazing artwork were so detailed and vivid.

This time round, in Epigram's graphic novel "The Girl Under The Bed" (with young artist Xiao Yan), Dave Chua turns to another favourite genre of his - horror. Despite being set during the Hungry Ghost Festival or "7th month" (in Hokkien), the story is also another realistic, coming-of-age tale of a teenage girl.

Red Dot Diva lays out some glittery offerings so that Dave will reveal what lies behind the spooky tale.