Tusitala

14/07/2025

Bring Your Own Beamer: Currents is a one-night, invite-only media art experience celebrating projection-based works, generative systems, and creative experimentation.

🗓 Date: Saturday, 26 July 2025
🕓 Time: 7:30PM – 10:30PM
📍 Venue: 284 River Valley Road S238325

Please register for timed access: https://lu.ma/z5ccjdy6 (link in bio)

This edition features works by and many other creatives.

Organised by .co , curated by and produced by .sg

11/07/2025

Join us in playtesting 𝗥𝗲𝗱 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗱𝗼𝘄𝘀 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴, a theatrical escape room experience by Tusitala and Artwave Studio. Inspired by Victor R. Ocampo's Book of Red Shadows, this is an escape game about how sound and music affects our states of consciousness.

We are looking for individuals and groups familiar with escape rooms and/or immersive theatre to help playtest the experience. 💪

📅 Playtesting will be held on 25 July 2025, 12pm, 2pm and 4pm.
📍 Venue: 284 River Valley Road, S238325
👥 You may be grouped with others who sign up for the same session.
⏳ Please set aside 2 hours for the session: 50 min to play the game, and 50 min for us to collect your feedback.

🙋🏻‍♂️ Register now at https://tiny.cc/redshadowsrisingplaytest

02/07/2025

How might we use technology to make reading resources accessible for visually impaired children?

Last year, Tusitala launched a research project with support from DesignSingapore Council’s Good Design Research grant, collaborating with NAMIC Hub@SIT and iC2 PrepHouse.

Through user research with educators, parents, and children, we explored what makes tactile books truly engaging. Our designer, Foler Goh, found that most tactile books are handmade one-offs—hard to scale and often lacking enough tactile details.

That led us to redesign the books using 3D printing, simplifying shapes and focusing on what really matters to touch. We even adapted Braille Neue to create a reading experience for both sighted and visually impaired readers.

Our final prototype is an adaptation of Timmy and Tammy at the Botanic Gardens, featuring interchangeable plates for different literacy levels. World Scientific Education

Learn more about our journey and design insights here:
🔗 https://tusitala.sg/designing-books-for-visually-impaired-children-a-conversation-with-foler/

-
Singapore Institute of Technology Singapore Association of the Visually Handicapped

23/04/2025

A MonoKucha with Janek Świerkowski. Artist, scientist, and cosmic thinker.
One evening only. One idea: Designing the Invisible.

In Designing the Invisible, he explores what it means to design with the unseen—drawing from quantum physics, cosmology, and the strange space between art and science.

RSVP via www.lu.ma/wo19gg92

🗓️ 25 April 2025
📍284 River Valley Rd, level 1, Singapore 238325
🎟️ Registration starts at 6:30 PM, MonoKucha runs from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM latest.

Organised by Associates Network, Supported by Tusitala (RLS) Pte Ltd

10/02/2025

Tusitala and Artwave Studio are seeking an innovative ℙ𝕦𝕫𝕫𝕝𝕖 𝔻𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕘𝕟𝕖𝕣 to create five engaging puzzles for a futuristic, immersive escape room centered on themes of sleep, sound, and technology. Inspired by 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐑𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐬 by Victor Ocampo, this experience blends digital storytelling, interactive technology, and theatrical elements to offer something beyond a traditional escape room.

What we’re creating:
- A thematic, story-driven experience rather than a conventional escape room
- Set in a research lab environment, with puzzles that integrate sound, AI, and IoT devices (e.g., smart lights, AI assistants, sound and movement sensors, etc.).
- Lightweight and modular—designed for easy setup and travel, avoiding reliance on a heavy set
- A highly collaborative project, combining art, technology, and interactive storytelling.

We’re looking for someone with:
- Experience in puzzle and game design
- Strong ability to create narrative-driven puzzles that align with the themes and setting
- Some familiarity with technology and how it can be used creatively in interactive experiences
- A willingness to experiment and push boundaries—we are not looking for escape room purists

Find out more at 🔗https://tusitala.sg/career/

Interested candidates, please send your applications in by 17 February (Mon) to [email protected]

06/02/2025

𝐊𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐨𝐤𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐲: 𝐀 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 was part of VERSE 2025 from 17–26 January 2025 at The Arts House at the Old Parliament. Presented by Tusitala and 所谓工作室 Matter.Less, the experience was a fun and innovative way to experience Singaporean Chinese literary works through digital interactions.

It reimagined the act of reading literature as a shared, dynamic interaction – as playful and approachable as singing karaoke.

Karaoke Poetry invited two participants to read the work aloud while audience members used smartphones to engage with real-time prompts, fostering a communal and reflective engagement with the text.

The work featured was 𝑊ℎ𝑖𝑡𝑒 𝐵𝑖𝑟𝑑 by Cultural Medallion recipient Yeng Pway Ngon, a deep and fantastical exploration of identity and personal journeys. Participants explored the themes of emotional intimacy, communication, work and identity, and shifts in personal relationships – responding to the theme ‘Do You See Me?’.

Blending contemporary and fantastical elements, 𝑊ℎ𝑖𝑡𝑒 𝐵𝑖𝑟𝑑 is about a jobless man who forms a deep connection with a white bird he saves. In a surreal twist, he eventually transforms into a white bird himself.

As the story was read, audience members reflected on thought-provoking questions and responded in real-time:
1. “What do you do when you can’t communicate?”
2. “What do you think the husband is telling the bird?”
3. “What does the white bird symbolise?”

Here’s how participants described their experience:

𓅪 “This is a great way to connect with poetry. Reading it aloud gives another layer of emotions, compared to reading it on our own.” — Jasper, 35

𓅪 “It was fun! Very therapeutic to read together, and loved the audience interactions.” — A group of anonymous readers, 17 – 22 years old

𓅪 "This experience allowed me to put myself into the shoes of the characters.” — Timothy, 28

Read more at 🔗 https://tusitala.sg/work/karaoke-poetry-a-collective-reading/

Tusitala and Matterless were glad to have been part of VERSE 2025 – a celebration of Singapore literature and the opening chapter of The Arts House at The Old Parliament's year-long literary arts programmes, transforming words and stories into immersive, multi-sensory experiences.

城市書房 City Book Room

13/01/2025

Tusitala and 所谓工作室 Matter.Less proudly present 𝗞𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗼𝗸𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗲𝘁𝗿𝘆: 𝗔 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 at !

Join us for a unique experience where Singaporean Chinese literature meets digital interaction. Immerse yourself in White Bird by Cultural Medallion recipient Yeng Pway Ngon—a captivating journey of identity and transformation, resonating with the theme of Light to Night 2025: “Do You See Me?”

🎙 In this dynamic reading, two participants perform aloud while the audience interacts in real-time via mobile prompts, creating a playful, karaoke-inspired communal experience. 🎶📖

🗓️ 17–19 & 24–26 Jan 2025
🕕 6.30pm – 9.30pm (Last entry 9.15pm)
📍 The Arts House at The Old Parliament, Print Gallery, Level 1
🎟️ Free Admission
Details: https://artshouselimited.sg/tah-verse-2025

Don’t miss this immersive, interactive event as part of Singapore Art Week and Light to Night Singapore! 🙌

31/12/2024

25/10/2024

🌍🌟 Reflecting on Hope and Ars Electronica 2024 🌟🌍

We’re incredibly grateful to have been part of Ars Electronica 2024 in Linz, Austria (4-8 Sep). Thanks to Kamya Ramachandran from BeFantastic for leading the project, and to National Arts Council for the grant support. 🙏

The exhibition, 𝗧𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗵𝗶𝗳𝘁𝘀: 𝗔𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗱 𝗗𝗼𝘁, brought together four talented Singaporean artists— Ong Kian Peng, Debbie Ding, Urich Lau, and Avventura (with MAYA DANCE THEATRE)—who used immersive technologies to dive into Singapore's rich environmental and cultural histories. Curated by Clara Che Wei Peh, these works blended personal archives, historical research, and tradition to craft digital experiences that truly pushed boundaries. 🌱🔍

For us at Tusitala, the experience wasn’t just about showcasing or exploring art—it was truly inspiring to see how different schools and countries approach artistic and scientific collaborations, challenging our own understanding of 'art and tech.'

In Singapore, we often view 'art and tech' as separate from 'design,' 'science,' 'innovation,' and commercial value, but we can unlock even more exciting and meaningful possibilities by embracing collaboration.

Ars Electronica’s FutureLab, in particular, offered us fresh perspectives on how 'art thinking' can be applied in the management and R&D of companies, research institutions, and government organisations.

We’re energised by the experience and hopeful about potential collaborations with Ars Electronica. If you’re interested to learn more about the Singapore art and tech scene, we invite you to download our work-in-progress directory of Singapore artists and studios.

🔗 https://befantastic.in/artist-directory2024-singapore/ [Click to view directory (pdf)]

14/10/2024

Glad to have been part of ‘Temporal Shifts: Along the Red Dot’ at Ars Electronica's Features Exhibition in September. The exhibit was presented by Ong Kian Peng, Debbie Ding, Urich Lau, Avventura and MAYA DANCE THEATRE.

10/10/2024

𝗦𝗬𝗡𝗘𝗥𝗚𝗬 (𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗘𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻)
Highlight #1: Roundtable & Panel Discussion - Ars Electronica Sharing

Thank you for joining us at 𝗦𝗬𝗡𝗘𝗥𝗚𝗬 (𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗘𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻) on 28 September 2024. In conjunction with Singapore Design Week, we were excited to contribute to Singapore’s growing creative tech community through SYNERGY, a platform aimed at bridging the gap between art and technology.

The day began with an insightful roundtable discussion led by Jake Tan .co (Serial Co_) and Raja V (OTBT X Kult), and discussions on the topic of “How can design agencies ensure sustainable revenue streams and explore alternative business models in a landscape increasingly shaped by AI?”

The session welcomed:
Ben Yap, Pico
Jeanne Tan, Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Kelly Tan, DesignSingapore Council
, Lucid Experiences
Melvin Tan, Currency
Race Krehel, Metamo
, NextOfKin
, The Doodle People
, Plural Art Mag
Chia Yeehui, Ideaink

Later in the evening, a panel discussion on Ars Electronica offered attendees the chance to hear from Singaporean artists and designers who showcased their work at the world’s largest media arts festival.
zheng (Lead of NUS Interactive Materials Lab, part of Campus Exhibition 2024)
Debbie Ding .sg (Artist, part of the Features Exhibition 2024)
(Campus Exhibition 2023)wl (Student, part of Campus Exhibition 2023)
Moderator: (Juror for 2 Ars Electronica Awards)

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"This was a little piece of what could become, right? I really enjoy this kind of discussion with people from different industries. I think there's a lot of exchange of ideas and perspectives." – Ben Yap

"It's always nice to see the possibilities of doing something – having people who don't know each other before the event coming together to build something." – Alina Ling

10/10/2024

𝗦𝗬𝗡𝗘𝗥𝗚𝗬 (𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗘𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻)
Highlight #2: Human Library

The Human Library sessions saw eight design practitioners, or "human books," engage in deep conversations with participants across four tracks: Space, Product, Accessibility, and Art.

• Ben Bowes (Head of Product Design, Open Government Products)
• Danny Tan (Managing Producer, Moment Factory)
• Emile Francois Dumont (Founder and Director, Bodynetic)
• Esther Yip (Design Lead, Endowus)
• Jeanne Tan (Professor, Fashion and Textile Design, Hong Kong Polytechnic University; Founder of GERI Ltd)
• Orion Dai Yuhui (Innovation Manager, SG Enable)
• Shaul Hameed (Architectural Designer, Design Metabolists)
• Timothi Lim (Creative Technical Director, The Doodle People LLP)

The warm and aesthetic interior of Alma House provided an intimate setting for meaningful conversations, and participants enjoyed the Human Library sessions greatly.

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"I think the curation [of the Human Library] was really good. I could hear from different designers. Not just designers, but other professions, e.g. engineers who want to make a difference with what they do in the design space. So the thing is, I had a really fruitful session within 2 hours there, I gained a lot from such diverse perspectives." – Oi Keat Lam

"I like more deep, meaningful, insightful conversations, and I think this networking event (Human Library) actually provides the perfect setting and environment for that… I think that's probably the best networking session I've been through so far." – Gishra