MATTER.LESS
re:verse
Inspired by the 1950s spoken-word movement in America, re:Verse ventures into exciting, uncharted territory in Chinese poetry, presenting literary works that discuss matters close to their hearts. Reading or writing poetry is no longer a solitary activity - this event provides a platform for writers to share their poems, and for the audience us to immerse in the sounds, physical and visual performances of words that were originally confined within the pages.
Performance items include original spoken word pieces or pieces adapted from existing literary works. The programme is targeted at a wide range of audiences, whether they are a novice at Chinese poetry or a fan of the linguistic richness of the Chinese language.
ExperiMENTAL Poetry
Presented with support from Singapore Association of Writers
Venue support from National Library Board
实验·诗
Fear poetry?
Hear us read it out!
Your Mandarin cmi?
Watch us act it out!
「re: VERSE 1.0」is inspired by the 1950s contemporary "spoken word" movement in America. We believe that poetry is made for the masses, by the masses. Come exchange some light-hearted banter over unconventional yet familiar issues in Singapore and explore the unchartered territories of Mandarin poetry!
National Library B1 Program Zone
5 August 2018 | 6pm-8pm
re:verse 1.0
re:verse 2.0
Art Thou Poetry?
什么是诗，可以吃的吗？
Funan Showsuite
10 November 2018 | 5:30pm-7pm
Presented in conjunction with Singapore Writers Festival 2018, with support from Singapore Association of Writers.
re:verse 3.0
Inspired by the linguistic tapestry of local poetry, poems will take on different tongues. But instead of being lost in translation, they will be found and presented in a different light.
Collaboration between Matter.less and Poetry Festival Singapore, as a programme of #BuySingLit.
Centre 42 | Rehearsal Studio
16 March 2019 | 6pm & 8pm
17 March 2019 | 2:30pm & 4:30pm
re:verse 4.0
Presented under "Textures: A Weekend of Words", a festival co-commissioned by The Arts House and #BuySingLit
The Arts House | Living Room
13 March 2020 | 7:30pm
14 March 2020 | 7:30pm
re: VERSE 4.0 “Poetry / Displacement” (砸诗烩4.0: 流离诗所) is a poetry performance inspired by local works, with this edition focused on displacement and identity. It’s underpinned by Kuo Pao Kun's notion of “Cultural Orphans”, which is described as “a sense of loss and alienation, and a kind of anxiety in the search for self”. Texts will be adapted into various forms and mediums, providing new dimensions and refreshing perspectives to the original works. Wander with us on this two-hour long journey, as we uncover and reimagine the lesser-known territories of SingLit!
Performed in English and Mandarin.