Independent Archive Ltd., Kampong Bugis (2026)

The Independent Archive and resource centre is a professional archive of visual art practices and other cultural manifestations, specialising in documenting ephemeral modes of production. The focus of the archive, especially at its initial stage, is art practices that benefit from archival support — such as visual art practices that are ephemeral, time-based, event specific or that may not be cons

erved in conventional institutional environments or practices. The key object that is conserved is the artwork and art practice. Geographically, the focus of the archive is Singapore, however collaborations and presentations that are realized with other artists and artistic communities and institutions in the region and internationally, will also be conserved, thus providing a mapping of the network of th e artistic practice and event in relation to the geographies around it. The goal of the archive and resource centre is access to these materials. The development of the infrastructure and content of the archive and resource centre thus is essentially research-driven, its purpose to facilitate access to significant art materials (documentation, objects, images, correspondence, etc) and the production of critical discourse that interprets and creates forms of mediation of the archived materials.

“The Independent Archive and Resource Centre’s primary aim is to develop an archive of art and cultural practices for the purpose of maintaining an open resource center to encourage research, dialogue and discourse relating to art and cultural manifestations of the historical past and its current evolution in Singapore.” – IARC

Over the past months since the beginning of its operations in early 2012, the Independent Archive & Resource Centre has formed a platform for artists to share their works through a series of events held at the centre. These series of programs consisted of artists’ talks and presentations, performance arts events, music & sound art events, film screenings, and other community related events. In regards to artists’ talks, performance arts events, and music & sound art events, IARC will be featuring some of the finest local and international artists in our upcoming and ongoing programs. The Independent Archive & Resource Centre are also looking into programs that encourage the following:

Artists in residence

We invite artists to work here within our workspace to produce works & present their works that they’ve done here at IARC. Artist are encouraged to work based on the books that are available here. In regards to Sound Art & Music research and studies, Artists can use the audio recording facilities that IARC would provide, upon which they would present these works. Workshops

Providing workshops related to skills developments and outreach to the public and managements who would benefit from our workshops. IARC aims to tie up with artists who are looking for avenues to conducting art related workshops for the public. Film Screenings

The IARC hopes to hold film screening events open to the public, where we would screen relevant & art related videos, as well as to offer budding filmmakers to screen their films and perhaps talk about them. Publications

The IARC also looks into the production of publications of and for Artists in local and international contexts. These could also include matters surrounding the productions of local music fan zines. We hope to be a channel for underground music & movement zines in helping them spread the words of their existence. Email: [email protected]

29/02/2024

Hi everyone

The day has come.

It is time to call an end to Independent Archive, lovingly known as iA.

When our late founder Lee Wen passed away a few of us scrambled to save it, surviving off donations and our humble idealism.

After multiple movings, mullings and discussions, and with Satoko Lee’s consent, the archives will be loaned to National Gallery Singapore for further cataloguing and research. We are still in the process of handover.

Our future is still up in the air.

Spatially we can no longer sustain out of pocket, with cost being the number one reason why we cannot move forward with programming. Admittedly adulting has also taken the wind out of our sails.

We will revisit the posthumous future of iA at a later date.

At this juncture we have to make a decision, and fast.

We are currently housed in a unit in Pavilion Sq 345 Geylang Road in a crummy dusty unit with no electricity. This is primarily storage.

With most of our archive out we are left with furniture and electronics.

We have these options and we are looking for a quick fix

𝗢𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗔
Sell off everything at a ridiculously cheap price and end our tenancy.

𝗢𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗕
Co share the space with fellow artists. We currently pay $621 monthly out of pocket and we will be willing to share this with you and co-create a new beginning of "post iA" or something entirely new.

𝗢𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗖
Recommend you to take over the unit with the landlord (who is an amazing guy) and you link you up directly. There will be additional charges should you wish to get the power back on and more for renovation. We can assist with this negotiation.

We need to hear interest from someone, anyone by *noon Sunday 3 March 2024*...cryptically also the anniversary of Lee Wen's passing.

If there is no response whatsoever we will proceed to end our tenancy.

Thank you all for the support of iA through the years.

Reality bites and while another one bites the dust there is always possibility of new eras.

Thank you.

Shai, Kai Lam, Jireh Koh
[email protected]
29 Feb 2024

17/06/2023

As part of our ongoing satellite efforts to work and collaborate across the region, the Interdependent Archive is honoured to be an archival contributor to the Body and Place: Performance Art in Singapore Since the 1980s, by TheCube Project Space in Taipei, Taiwan.

Closing tonight on the 17th June, the exhibition presents the histories, relationships between artists and place, and how different social elements have shaped the unique context of performance art in Singapore through various archives. There was also film screenings and a two-day live performance at Bopiliao Historical Block by invited artists from Taiwan and Singapore.

Curated by Jason J S Lee, the exhibition features documents courtesy of the Independent Archive, The Singapore Art Archive Project, Ray Langenbach, and Your MOTHER gallery.

Thank you TheCube Project Space for the wonderful experience!

16/04/2023

Thank you Mike Cooper and Friends for this wonderful night.

07/04/2023

Address

Kampong Bugis

Telephone

+6582687618

Website

http://independentarchive.sg/

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