An email CC-ed to the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, the National Arts Council (NAC) and members of the press has revealed the relationship between the Singapore International Festival of the Arts' (SIFA) main people is one comprising 'tough love'.
Artistic director of the event formerly known as the Singapore Arts Festival Ong Keng Sen had sent the email addressed to the festival's CEO Lee Chor Lin, accusing the latter of 'hijacking' festival material.
The gist of it is that Lee hadn't been responding to Ong's emails about the content and design of the festival brochures, leading him to accuse her of hijacking the material he thought could not be done without his expertise.
In the email partially shared by TODAY, Ong wrote, "I don't think you should be treating the festival director in this way. I am not just your content provider. I have been providing materials, but nothing has come back to me for review."
Ong also told TODAY, “The bottom line is the CEO has not encountered any of the artists at all — any of the films and productions I’ve watched. So how can she (come up with the brochures containing) these productions (without consulting me)?”.
Lee has denied the allegations, saying, "I'm in charge of the PR, marketing and collateral, and he agreed to it... "
She is also reported to have said, "Artists have a view of things, but this particular product goes to the audience and this has to be taken into consideration. The whole design and graphic process is one that he is not familiar with".
Of course, considering her role in the entire project, which starts off with public engagement initiative The O.P.E.N in June, Lee is obliged to keep the sentiments positive.
"Despite these very obvious creative combustions, I think we're on our way to having a very good festival," she said. She also described her relationship with Ong as "interesting" and wants to let the tension blow over.
Photo: Singapore International Arts Festival Facebook
An email CC-ed to the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, the National Arts Council (NAC) and members of the press has revealed the relationship between the Singapore International Festival of the Arts' (SIFA) main people is one comprising 'tough love'.
Artistic director of the event formerly known as the Singapore Arts Festival Ong Keng Sen had sent the email addressed to the festival's CEO Lee Chor Lin, accusing the latter of 'hijacking' festival material.
The gist of it is that Lee hadn't been responding to Ong's emails about the content and design of the festival brochures, leading him to accuse her of hijacking the material he thought could not be done without his expertise.
In the email partially shared by TODAY, Ong wrote, "I don't think you should be treating the festival director in this way. I am not just your content provider. I have been providing materials, but nothing has come back to me for review."
Ong also told TODAY, “The bottom line is the CEO has not encountered any of the artists at all — any of the films and productions I’ve watched. So how can she (come up with the brochures containing) these productions (without consulting me)?”.
Lee has denied the allegations, saying, "I'm in charge of the PR, marketing and collateral, and he agreed to it... "
She is also reported to have said, "Artists have a view of things, but this particular product goes to the audience and this has to be taken into consideration. The whole design and graphic process is one that he is not familiar with".
Of course, considering her role in the entire project, which starts off with public engagement initiative The O.P.E.N in June, Lee is obliged to keep the sentiments positive.
"Despite these very obvious creative combustions, I think we're on our way to having a very good festival," she said. She also described her relationship with Ong as "interesting" and wants to let the tension blow over.
Photo: Singapore International Arts Festival Facebook