Happy House: The Council & MAMA MAGNET Explore Happiness In This Art Exhibition
You ready to hit the happiness button? (Credit: Happy House)
What does happiness look like to you? Does happiness even exist? Is happiness an elusive concept that requires a lifetime’s pursuit or something that’s right in front of us? Tackling these philosophical questions in a collaborative effort are multi-disciplinary promoters The Council and multimedia art consultancy MAMA MAGNET. In a distraught climate rife with ceaseless downers instigated by the pandemic, the two entities are opening the door to Happy House, a social experiment that ponders the notion of happiness in a troubled city like Singapore.
The full lineup of Happy House features a diverse roster of creatives and artists (Credit: Happy House)
As part of Singapore Art Week 2022 from 14 to 23 January, Happy House will challenge this quandary via a warehouse takeover at Tanjong Pagar Distripark. The large-scale exhibition examines the social definition of happiness through the perspectives of creatives and artists in the community, with works spanning visual design, film, photography and beyond. Happy House even includes an audio-visual interactive installation by digital artist Reza Hasni and ambient musician Kin Leonn, encouraging visitors to be directly involved in this study on the state of happiness.
In fact, Happy House has already been gathering these observations for weeks. Hoping to build a digital vault of happy memories, the exhibition has reached out to the public on Instagram to submit their subjective interpretations of happiness in exchange for a dollar (you can dish out your happy moments here). You’ll find plenty of mesmeric intrigue and thought-provoking humour on the exhibition’s feed as well, which is currently filled with apt memes and previews from its participating artists.
MAMA MAGNET – founded by veteran curator Tulika Ahuja – has been leaving its mark on the arts scene for several years now, with past collaborations with the National Arts Council, UltraSuperNew, Space Objekt and 宀 (Mihn) Gallery. Meanwhile, this exhibition represents a new chapter for The Council, known for producing revered nightspots like Headquarters and Tuff Club as well as multi-disciplinary pop-ups that’ve partnered with brands in F&B, fashion and wellness. Captained by Eileen Chan (Cats On Crack), it will continue to explore novel territories beyond the music domain, and it’s starting the year afresh with Happy House.
Don’t frown. You can still submit your happy memories past the stipulated deadline (Credit: Happy House)
Think you’ve cracked the secret to happiness? If you’re still tumbling through life in search for the answer, you might find your clarity within the walls of Happy House.
Happy House, 14 to 23 January 2022, 11am-8pm, Tanjong Pagar Distripark, 39 Keppel Road, Singapore 089065. Free admission. You can also access Happy House digitally on this website.
