Antonym - A Double Bill by Krishna Kumar & Michael Wong Two dancers-turned-choreographers present a performance illustrating the fight between the preservation and destruction of boundaries. Where and when: University Cultural Centre (UCC) Dance Studio, Feb 28 and March 1, 8pm Admission: Free
Water by Monique Cooper This Dutch pianist's performance captures the feelings and experiences water can evoke. She has performed Water in India, Vietnam and Switzerland. Where and when: UCC Theatre, March 15, 8pm Admission: $14 and $18
So there will be events where scientists help children create artworks with natural materials such as plant extracts, musical shows inspired by the elements and performing arts shows driven by the environment.
Ms Christine Khor, 58, director of the university's Centre for the Arts, which organises the festival, says: 'We started exploring this theme way back in November last year. NUS had hosted a panel on climate change and it brought home the urgency of global warming and other related environmental issues.'
She adds that the theme ties in well with the Science faculty's 80th anniversary celebrations.
The festival, now in its fourth year, runs over three weekends from Feb 27 to March 15 and features over 60 events, including music, dance, theatre, visual arts, literary activities and film screenings.
One production is Variance by home-grown dance group T.H.E. Dance Company. This double-bill festival commission is choreographed by Singapore's Kuik Swee Boon and Taiwan's Zhang Xiao-xiong.
It explores different interpretations of man's relationship with the environment through the language of music and dance.
Kuik, 35, says: 'Man prides himself in the advances he has made with evolution. In fact, the more we talk of our achievements, the more harm we seem to be inflicting on the earth.'
The green theme continues with the visual-arts exhibition Constructed Landscapes: Singapore In Southeast Asia. Presented in three sections - Engagement, Memory and Imagination - this exhibition explores artistic interactions with the land.
Liminal Zones, a photography talk by American photographer Shannon Castleman, for instance, explores the relationship people have with the urban environments in which they live.
Even food gets a healthy twist. The festival's food fiesta seeks to promote a sustainable lifestyle through dietary choices.
It will feature eco-friendly and animal-free selections such as organic greens.
The special events planned for children will help them become more aware about the state of the environment.
In one art workshop, budding young artists paint with NUS scientists using 'paint' made from plant extracts and other unusual ingredients such as ketchup and soya sauce. The idea is to show how natural ingredients form the basis of creation.
Ms Khor says: 'The aim is to encourage people to reflect on the state of the environment and the role we as human beings can play in shaping and changing things.'
