SCREENING

Free Screenings:
Enter Sinofuturism: Lawrence Lek

“I still want to be everything. Isn't that the point of superintelligence? To be a gambler, philosopher, artist, musician, gamer, architect.” - Lawrence Lek

As artificial intelligence (AI) systems continue to evolve, is there potential for their emotional spectrum to widen? Join Lawrence Lek as he explores the boundaries between fiction and reality, and a future where the dichotomy of ‘human’ and ‘AI’ are tested and dismantled through select film presentations.

Named by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people working in artificial intelligence, ArtScience Cinema is proud to present three of Lek’s sci-art films, AIDOL, Black Cloud and Sinofuturism (1839 – 2046AD) in Janurary. Sinofuturism (1839 –2046 AD) and AIDOL are part of Lek’s Sinofuturist trilogy, while Black Cloud is part of the Smart City trilogy.

Lek is the winner of last year’s Frieze Artist Award.

SPECIAL SHOWTIMES DURING ART SG 2025
17 Jan, Fri
4pm: Sinofuturism (1839-2046 AD) (1h) + In-conversation with Artist
7pm: Black Cloud (11m) / AIDOL (1h23m)

18 Jan, Sat
5pm: Sinofuturism (1839-2046 AD) (1h)
7pm: Black Cloud (11m) / AIDOL (1h23m)

19 Jan, Sun
11am: Sinofuturism (1839-2046 AD) (1h)
1pm: Black Cloud (11m) / AIDOL (1h23m)

Please refer below for more showtimes for 20 to 31 Jan 2025.

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Screening: Sinofuturism (1839-2046 AD) + In-conversation with Lawrence Lek
Date: 17 Jan, 4pm

Following the screening of Sinofuturism (1839-2046 AD), Lawrence Lek will dive into the sinofuturistic world he paints in his films, how it has evolved since the production of Sinofuturism (1839-2046 AD) and partake in a short Q&A with the audience.

Admission is free on a first-come-first-served basis. Doors will close 15mins after the film begins at 4pm.

All images courtesy of the artist and Sadie Coles HQ.

Featured Films Lineup

AIDOL 爱道 (2019)

1h 23m | Mandarin with English subtitles | PG

Showtimes
黑云
Mon, Tues, Wed, Thu & Sun
5.11pm

Fri & Sat
5.11pm
7.11pm

AIDOL tells the story of a fading superstar, Diva, who enlists an aspiring AI songwriter to mount a comeback performance at the 2065 eSports Olympic finale. The film revolves around the long and complex struggle between humanity and AI.

AIDOL (2019) by Lawrence Lek. Courtesy of the artist and Sadie Coles HQ.
AIDOL 爱道 (2019)
AIDOL 爱道 (2019)

Black Cloud 黑云 (2021)

11m | Mandarin with English subtitles | PG

Showtimes
Mon, Tues, Wed, Thu & Sun
5pm

Fri & Sat
5pm
7pm

Set in an unspecified near future, Black Cloud follows a lone surveillance AI as they confront their existential crisis while watching over the streets of the abandoned smart city of SimBeijing. Left with nothing to do, but still obliged to perform their endless tasks, the AI discusses their troubles with their built-in therapist — a self-help AI called Guanyin.

Black Cloud (2021) by Lawrence Lek. Commissioned for the 4th VH Award by Hyundai Motor Corporation.

Courtesy of the artist and Sadie Coles HQ.

Sinofuturism (1839 – 2046 AD) (2016)
1h | English with Chinese subtitles | PG13 (Some Mature Content)

Showtimes
Mon to Sun
3.30pm

Sinofuturism (1839–2046 AD) explores the parallels between portrayals of artificial intelligence and Chinese technological development. Through the combination of science fiction, documentary melodrama, social realism, and Chinese cosmologies.

Sinofuturism (1839–2046 AD) by Lawrence Lek. Courtesy of the artist and Sadie Coles HQ.