Singapore, 14 January 2011 – Singaporeans will be the first to see the latest in robotics this January when leading Japanese android scientist Hiroshi Ishiguro makes his first public appearance in Singapore together with his latest android at The Arts House.
Cited by Newsweek (Japan) as one the 100 most respected Japanese people in the world in 2009 and highly regarded for his development of life-like androids, Hiroshi Ishiguro will present his latest development for the first time outside of
Japan at the sneak preview of Asia on the Edge 2011 on 24th January.
Initiated by The Arts House in 2008 and now in its third edition, Asia on the Edge (AOTE) is a festival of ideas and cultures from Asia, which in its past two editions have attracted a total visitorship of close to 50,000 and featured artists and
thought leaders from throughout Asia.
Says Ishiguro, who is also a Professor at the Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University: “We need to have artistic spirit to develop something new even if we are in engineering. Art will be technology by giving methodology to the art. That is, engineering/technology is a part of art."
“Recently, I am recognizing the importance of studying artistic works as an engineer and researcher. At AOTE, you will also see Telenoid, a teleoperated robot that can transmit the operator’s presence to the distance.”
Co-organised by Asian Culture Enterprise Singapore (ACES) and PICO, and supported by The Arts House, AOTE 2011 will comprise two main components, namely Generating Ideas and Regenerating Communities, with the main festival
from 24 to 26 June.
Generating Ideas aims to showcase the latest, newest and emerging trends and ideas in contemporary Asia today. It features a series of keynote addresses by leading innovators and creative entrepreneurs from Japan, Malaysia and
Singapore and performances by artists and groups from The Philippines, Malaysia, Cambodia and Singapore as well as an open pitch platform for aspiring creative entrepreneurs from around the region.
Regenerating Communities focuses on a regeneration of the past, in the present, for the future. It will see identified artists and communities in a sharing session on various art forms and arts and cultural practices by master practitioners from Singapore and the region, and a new fund that aims towards ensuring the continuity of art and cultural practices from around Asia.
Elaborates Lyndon Yeo, Director of ACES on this new direction for AOTE: “In the past, the festival AOTE has functioned more as an event or as a series of performances. Now, we wish to see the festival more as a long term programme
that is sustainable, hence its move towards these two tracks which aims towards looking out for new ideas and developing them while at the same time, bearing in mind the importance of heritage and tradition and how these sustains
communities."
“For this sneak preview, one of the main issues that has been in much discussion for the past two decades is the relation between man and machine or technology and how technology is shaping our lives and lifestyle. This has been the subject of many ground breaking films in popular culture, such as Blade Runner and Ghost in the Shell. Hence, we felt it appropriate on this occasion to present a personality such as Hiroshi Ishiguro whose work moves from the discipline of
science to address issues of humanity and lifestyle to be the keynote speaker. We hope this symbolizes the multi-faceted aspects of AOTE and what is has to offer.”
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Media Contact
Sher-Yen WEE (Ms)
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Asian Culture Enterprise Singapore Limited (ACES)
ACES is a subsidiary of The Old Parliament House Limited
Asian Culture Enterprise Singapore Limited serves as a cultural and creative intermediary within Asia and aims to be a resource and agent of change in the realm of international exchange of the arts, culture and heritage industries through:
- Creation of new works in the arts that will be incubated and developed in Singapore or that will have, for its artistic or managerial catalyst, a Singaporean talent as inspiration.
- Facilitate exchange between artists or designers from Asia and the West.
For more information, please visit www.spaces.org.sg
PICO
Pico Art International is a Singapore-based multinational corporation, specialising in global event marketing. Founded in 1970, the company has over 30 offices worldwide. Listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, it has expanded its core business and competencies, evolving from exhibition design and fabrication to value-added event marketing on an international scale. For more information, please visit www.pico.com
The Arts House at the Old Parliament
The Arts House is managed by The Old Parliament House Limited
Occupying the almost 200 year-old building that was the former Parliament House and Singapore’s first Court House, The Arts House since its opening in 2004 has been offering its visitors a broad spectrum of activities ranging from contemporary arts & entertainment events to lifestyle options, while at the same time playing an active role in the development of Singapore arts & creative scene. From 2011, The Arts House will focus on the development of literary arts in Singapore, supporting and presenting programmes and events that aim to give a wider and multi-disciplinary experience. For more information, please visit www.theartshouse.com.sg
Fact Sheet
Hiroshi Ishiguro
A Fellow at the Intelligent Robotics and Communications Laboratories of the Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute (ATR), Japan, as well as Professor at the Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, Ishiguro was selected as among the 100 Japanese respected worldwide by Newsweek, Japan, and his android ReplieeQ1 was the centre of attention at the 2005 World Exposition in Aichi. Ishiguro has also served at various universities in Japan and also advises on numerous joint research initiatives. He also guides young researchers through his Global COE program at Osaka University and is a frequent lecturer on Robotics and Android Science worldwide.
He is known for creating an android modeled after himself, called “Geminoid” in 2007, in his quest to understand humans – starting with himself. For an academic, Ishiguro lives a frantic existence – he works at four laboratories, oversees some 50 students, is a cofounder of a robotics start-up, and travels frequently to conferences around the world.
Ishiguro studies the cutting edge of Robot Science from every angle to reach and break new ground. His android is a benchmark in robotics engineering.
Asia on the Edge 2011 (AOTE 2011)
AOTE 2011 aims to serve culture and society via creating regional and international awareness of the rich and diverse heritage of Asia, leveraging upon the infrastructure, organisation and incentives that Singapore offers.
This year’s festival is organized by Asian Cultural Enterprise Singapore Limited (ACES) and concentrates on two themes: Generating Ideas and Regenerating Communities.
Generating Ideas focuses on a generation of new ideas, and how it impacts the humanities in the future. Highlights of this track include a keynote speech by Hiroshi Ishiguro (Japan) as well as a series of presentations by leading innovators and creative entrepreneurs from Japan, Malaysia and Singapore, and performances by artists and groups from The Philippines, Malaysia, Cambodia and Singapore.
Regenerating Communities focuses on a regeneration of the past in the present for the future. Highlights of this track include performances/exhibitions by the Gawad Kalinga Tatalong Performing Arts Choir (The Philippines), Agus Ongge (West Papua, Indonesia) and Siong Leng Musical Association.
AOTE 2011 also signals the launch of two new initiatives: an open pitch platform for young entrepreneurs to share their ideas; and a new fund that aims towards ensuring the continuity and continuation of art and cultural practices from around Asia.
Information correct at time of release. Subject to change.
Programme Brief of 24 January 2011
1000 – 1005 Welcome Address
1005 – 1105 Showcase and Keynote Address by Hiroshi Ishiguro
1105 – 1120 Introduction to AOTE 2011
1120 – 1200 Generating Ideas: Presentation by Ron DiCarlantonio, CEO of iNAGO
1200 – 1215 Regenerating Communities: Introduction by Zaw Win
1215 – 1400 Lunch
1400 – 1600 Breakout Sessions with Ishiguro and iNAGO
1600 – 1700 Tea and Conclusion
About Asia on the Edge
Asia on the Edge (AOTE) is a festival of ideas and cultures from and of Asia and Asian origins. It was conceived as a platform for the latest and cutting edge developments in the arts and creative industries in Asia.
First launched in 2008 by The Arts House and PICO, and held again as part of the Singapore Grand Prix season in 2009, the two editions of AOTE has attracted close to a visitorship of 50,000 and featured thought-leaders, writers, artists and chefs from Korea, Japan, China, The Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Singapore.
Asia on the Edge 2008
- Theme: Origins ~ exploring the meaning of being Asian in the 21st century
- Art Forms featured: Literature, Music, Dance, Culinary Arts, Thought Leaders, Visual Arts
- Participating Countries: China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, The Philippines, Singapore
- Highlights: Appearances by award-winning Japanese writer Kanehara Hitomi; the world’s youngest professional drummer Taiga Onitsuka and contemporary dancer Kota Yamazaki
- Total visitorship: 20,000
- Total Media Attendance (including regional): 38
Asia on the Edge 2009 (in conjunction with Singapore Grand Prix)
- Theme: Evolution ~ examining the concept of evolution, change in Asia
- Art Forms Featured: Lifestyle, Fashion, Theatre, Design, Craft, Culinary Arts
- Participating Countries: China, Japan, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Thailand
- Feature Performances: Evolution, Jing & Waterways
- Highlights: Featured design of well-known China boutique fashion brand Aimer which has since opened two outlets here; cuisine of Japanese chef and culinary visionary Hiroki Yoshitake, who has since established a fine-dining restaurant
- here in Singapore
- Total visitorship: 30,000 visitors
- Total Media Attendance (including regional): 56