Waves of Change Festival 2023

10am – 7pm

Curiosity Gallery, Level 4

Free Admission

High Water Mark is a large-scale whale sculpture with the Singapore skyline resting on its back. On closer inspection it becomes apparent that the whale’s belly and the entire cityscape are sculpted from single use plastics and other materials reclaimed from marine, household and commercial waste. By repurposing non-biodegradable waste materials to form an ever-growing city weighing upon the whale, this sculpture reflects the vulnerability of the symbiotic relationship between human progress and the environment, exploring the tension that exists between waste, upcycling and humanity’s impact on the planet.

Produced by Inspired Arts

10am – 7pm

Curiosity Gallery, Level 4

Free Admission

Assembled from masks made by Balinese mask-makers and abandoned fishing gear, this smiling face hides a litany of plastic beneath. This sculpture asks us to question what our actions will leave behind for future generations.
 

Hypocrisy is a reminder of the continued loss of our cultural and natural heritage through gentrification and the by-products created by our unstoppable desire for consumption. Both a warning and call to action, the artwork compels us to re-evaluate the choices we make and the roles we play in actively addressing significant environmental issues.

Produced by Sofiya Shukhova

10am – 7pm

Curiosity Gallery, Level 4

Free Admission

In Between Shades is an interactive sculpture that confronts us with the reality of the decline of coral reefs due to the impacts of climate change. Using 3D printed corals lit from below by a screen, this artwork evokes a pale, unhealthy reef that has undergone coral bleaching – a process where corals lose their vibrant colours as they expel the algae living in their tissues. It reflects the current state of our climate crisis – at risk, but still reversible.
 

By hovering your hand on the sensor in front of the artwork, you can revive the corals momentarily. This symbolic act shows how corals can recover from the bleaching process with human intervention and highlights the importance of individual action in safeguarding the ocean’s delicate ecosystems.

Produced by Ho Yi Dan

10am – 7pm

Curiosity Gallery, Level 4

Free Admission

Whispers of the Coral Realm features a vibrant data-generated projection and audioscape that captures the dynamic sounds and pulsing vitality of life underwater through an interplay of light, colour and form. In stark contrast, this life-filled experience stands beside a plinth made of non-biodegradable plastic waste – waste that threatens to silence the ocean’s reefs.

While celebrating seas full of life, this artwork marks a moment in time where the ocean is facing the serious consequences of plastic pollution and calls on viewers to take action to protect and preserve marine environments before we are faced with silent seas.

Produced by StarD Studio

10am – 7pm

Curiosity Gallery, Level 4

Free Admission

Plastic Litany is a set of 7 prints that explore maps, diagrams and glimpses of marine life among plastic. These paintings mythologise the ocean we live alongside today, offering a new perspective on the documentation and storytelling of the current state of the seas through its depictions of mutated fish, bioaccumulation in sea birds, odd kinships between plastics and organic matter and more.

Accompanying the paintings is a limited-edition zine that invites readers to continue reflecting on the themes of Plastic Litany and prompts them to rethink their personal relationship with the ocean and its many inhabitants.

Produced by Sun Woo Yoon

10am – 7pm

Curiosity Gallery, Level 4

Free Admission

AR.T for the Ocean features prints of five award-winning augmented reality artworks from an open call by non-profit organisation The MeshMinds Foundation and ocean advocacy community Coastal Natives for World Oceans Day 2023. Using the Artivive AR platform, artists from the Asia Pacific region were invited to create digital artworks that highlight the importance and beauty of the ocean to inspire and catalyse positive action for the planet.

Artworks on display:

The Silence by Hello Jayne

Stranger of the Sea by Jamela Law

Madness Behind the Beauty by Reem Chalak

Once Upon a Time Under the Sea by Roger Ng Wei Lun

What if the Ocean Vanished by YongL

Produced by Meshminds Foundation

5 Aug (Sat) | 11am – 12pm

ArtScience Cinema, Level 4

Free admission with online registration at this link

As part of World Oceans Day 2023, The MeshMinds Foundation partnered with Coastal Natives to launch an open call for artists across the Asia-Pacific region. These artists were called to use augmented reality art (AR.T) to highlight both the beauty of the ocean and its vital importance in our lives, while also shedding light on the challenges it faces. These artworks are on display at this year's Waves of Change Festival.

In this session, we'll be inviting various artists involved in this year's AR.T for the Ocean showcase to join us in a panel discussion. Using their own experience in the festival and beyond, we seek to explore how they channel artistic activism to inspire social change, what their hopes for the environment are, and how they cope through creativity. This panel discussion will be moderated by The MeshMinds Foundation

In this session, we'll be inviting various artists involved in this year's WOC23 AR.T for the Ocean showcase to join us in a panel discussion. Using their own experience in the festival and beyond, we seek to explore how they channel artistic activism to inspire social change, what their hopes for the environment are, and how they cope through creativity. The panel discussion would be moderated by the Meshminds Foundation team.  

 
About the host: The MeshMinds Foundation is a registered not-for-profit arts organisation focused on educating, enabling and empowering creators in Asia to advance the sustainable development of people and our planet.

Moderator: Olivier Bos, Chief Inspiration Officer, The MeshMinds Foundation

Panelists: Jayne Ong, Roger Ng

Featuring remarks from Jamela Law & Reem Chalak
Hosted by MeshMinds Foundation

5 Aug (Sat) | 1pm – 2pm 

ArtScience Cinema, Level 4

Free admission with online registration at this link

Fishes are considered simple creatures by many. They are believed to be devoid of intelligence and sentience. But new discoveries highlight that fishes are more complex than originally thought; they can feel pain and pleasure, have good memories, hunt cooperatively and can solve tasks. Equipped with this new knowledge we must ask ourselves: is it time to change the way we think about, and treat, fishes?

In this session, we will hear personal stories about the unique lives of fishes that will make you fall in love with them - from Siamese fighting fish, to cleaner wrasse and stingrays and sharks. We will examine the way we treat them and how we can right these wrongs. In this talk, Naomi shares about her research on sharks, stingrays and Siamese fighting fish - and what we can do to help these often under-appreciated lives.

About the host: Naomi Clark-Shen studies sharks and rays caught by fisheries in Southeast Asia. As well as conservation, she is passionate about fish welfare and has recently been working on the living conditions and welfare of Siamese fighting fish

Hosted by Naomi Clark-Shen

(Photo by Denis Oliveira)

5 Aug (Sat) | 2.30pm – 3.30pm

ArtScience Cinema, Level 4

Free admission with online registration at this link

Join us for an insightful panel discussion on the topic of burnout, as we delve into the challenges faced by individuals dedicated to protecting our environment. Conservation work is known for its demanding nature, often leading to increased stress levels and burnout among practitioners. This panel aims to shed light on the issue by sharing personal stories and experiences.

Our panelists, Naomi Clark-Shen, Sabrina Jabbar and Sofiya Shukhova, will explore the emotions and struggles that accompany the pursuit of a career in conservation. They will discuss the feelings of constant exhaustion, helplessness, and anxiety that often plague those engaged in what is perceived as a "dream job."

Join us for the session that aims to provoke dialogue. Together, we can move towards creating a healthier and more sustainable environment for both the planet and those who tirelessly work to protect it.

Moderator: Adeline Ang, Program Manager, Coastal Natives

Naomi Clark-Shen is a PhD student who studies the sharks and rays that are caught by fisheries and consumed in Singapore. She is also a WWF consultant and board member of animal welfare group ACRES. She is an advocate for compassionate living.

Sabrina Jabbar is a consultant for Jane Goodall Institute Singapore that focuses on the human-macaque mitigations in Singapore and neighbouring countries. She heads the Monkey Guards Project and is an ACRES fundraising volunteer. She is also a full-time Barre & Yoga instructor.

Sofiya Shukhova is an artivist and conservationist. Through her work, she aims to bring public attention to less-known environmental, conservation and animal welfare issues.

Moderated by Coastal Natives

(Photo by Nikko Macaspac)

5 Aug (Sat) | 4pm – 5pm

ArtScience Cinema, Level 4

Free admission with online registration at this link

Kathy Xu was selected to be part of an all womens team to Arctic Norway under the Sea Womens Expedition in November 2022, where she was involved in eDNA research and orca behaviour studies work. Being the only Singaporean amongst the 34 women on the expedition, she hopes more Singaporean women will be involved in science exploration and expedition work for marine conservation too. 

About the host: Kathy Xu runs The Dorsal Effect, an ecotourism company that provides alternative livelihood to shark fishermen in Lombok. She recently graduated with a Masters in Science Communication and her dissertation topic was communicating conservation messages with regards to stingray consumption in Singapore.

Hosted by The Dorsal Effect

6 Aug (Sun) | 11am – 2pm

ArtScience Cinema, Level 4

Free admission with online registration at this link

Narrated by Jason Momoa, Deep Rising illuminates the vital relationship between the deep ocean and sustaining life on Earth. The documentary also follows mining startup The Metals Company, as it pursues funding, public favor, and permission from the International Seabed Authority to mine wide swaths of the Pacific Ocean floor.

This screening is followed by a panel discussion organised by Eco-Business, The Deep-Sea Dilemma: Do We Really Need to Dig Up the Ocean Floor to Power the Energy Transition?

US$8 trillion worth of precious minerals are scattered on the ocean floor. These minerals are in hot demand to make electric vehicle car batteries, solar panels and wind turbines. Six times the amount of minerals now being mined will be needed to power the energy transition and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. But mining the seabed could come at a significant environmental cost, wrecking the biodiversity of poorly understood ecosystems, ruining fisheries and altering the oxygen-carrying capacity of the ocean. Negotiations are now underway to set the rules for industrial-scale mining of the ocean floor. But do we really need to dig up the ocean floor? What are the alternatives? Our expert panel discusses the deep-sea mining dilemma.

Hosted by Eco-Business

6 Aug (Sun) | 2.30pm – 3.30pm

ArtScience Cinema, Level 4

Free admission with online registration at this link

Discover a symphony of passion and purpose as Singapore's brilliant young women in marine conservation take center stage in this empowering fireside chat. From marine biologists to environmental educators, this diverse emsemble represents a united force of change, bound by a shared love for the ocean. These ladies embody the belief that even the smallest actions, when multiplied by the collective will of a dedicated community, can create ripples of transformation.

This fireside chat is hosted by two of Conservation International's 10 for Zero awardees, who’re also young women working in the field of marine conservation. As part of this fireside chat, these inspiring women will be sharing personal stories about their journeys, and talk about their challenges and inspirations while working in this space.

About the host: Conservation International Singapore is a non-profit with a focus on education and partnerships for the environment. Their 10 for Zero Awards is a celebration of Singapore's environmental youth leaders. It recognises the efforts of 10 capable and creative young individuals, aged 18 to 35, advocating for a future of zero waste and net zero carbon emissions.

Moderators: Sam Shuqin (10FZ awardee), Biogirl MJ (10FZ awardee)

Panelists: Ng Lee Kiang (10FZ awardee), Samantha Lai, Marie Tan, Radhika Bhargava

Hosted by Conservation International Singapore

6 Aug (Sun) | 4pm – 5pm

ArtScience Cinema, Level 4

Free admission with online registration at this link

Mangroves are amazing ecosystems that do so much for our planet. They serve as nurseries for young marine life, giving them a safe place to grow. They protect coastal communities from big storms and help stop the land from being washed away. They are also superheroes fighting climate change by storing a lot of carbon. However, coastal development, unsustainable aquaculture and sea-level rise pose unprecedented threats to these fragile ecosystems now.

Join us in this sharing about the wonders of mangroves to people in Singapore and what they are doing to protect them. This sharing will feature voices from students Enya from Nanyang Girls High School and Chloe from Raffles Girls Primary School, as well as Dr. Siti M. Yaakub, Director of the International Blue Carbon Institute of Conservation International. 

Conservation International (CI) Singapore is a non-profit with a focus on education and partnerships for the environment. 

Moderator: Saravanan Sinniah, Senior Programme Coordinator, Conservation International Singapore

Hosted by Conservation International Singapore

(Photo by Saravanan.S)

7 – 25 Aug | 4.15pm

ArtScience Cinema, Level 4

Free admission with limited slots available on a first-come, first-served basis

Coastal Natives has collaborated with Artwave Studio to create an audio experience in the form of a podcast that will be played in the ArtScience Cinema daily.

In this Episode, the audio journey follows a diver on one of the top dive sites in Southeast Asia. Presented in a slightly different way from previous episodes, Barracuda Point provides a first-person point of view on the diving experience and welcomes all guests to enjoy it together.

Produced by Artwave Studio

6 – 25 Aug | Various Timings

ArtScience Cinema, Level 4

Free admission with limited seats available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Waves of Change Festival 2023 showcases 9 feature-length films focused on the amazing creatures living in the ocean. This season, the selection of films also shed light on some pressing environmental issues, as well as tell the stories of the people behind the scenes driving important environmental work forward.

View details

26 Aug (Sat) | 11am – 12pm

ArtScience Cinema, Level 4

Free admission with online registration at this link

Wardrobes Make Waves is a fact-finding, thought-provoking ‘call to action’ session, led by a fun trivia game and conversations that bring participants closer—not only to one another, but also to an understanding of how clothes produced and worn on land affect the ocean’s biodiversity, carbon sinks, and pollution levels. 

During the session, participants will go through the fun of competition, slide into knowledge about how the brain and oceans are affected by clothes-shopping, and end gathering their initial surprise, thoughts, and learnings into a guided reflective and introspective space. Participants leave understanding that clothes, the oceans, and their internal worlds are so closely intertwined, and become better able to choose clothing that minimizes damage to the oceans.

Leading the talk will be 2022 National Geographic Explorer Thammika Songkaeo, the co-founder of Two Glasses LLP, a Singapore-based company that tackles environmental problems in multidisciplinary ways. She has a grant from National Geographic Society to produce ‘Changing Room’, a dance film that investigates how body criticism and human insecurities are related to fashion overconsumption and climate change. It premieres at The Projector this September.

Hosted by Thammika Songkaeo

26 Aug (Sat) | 1pm – 2pm

ArtScience Cinema, Level 4

Free admission with online registration at this link

Rethinking Ocean Villains seeks to redefine and reconcile the commonly held notion of evilness within the depths of the ocean. In this interactive and immersive talk recommended for children aged 6 to 10 years old, we aim to challenge and replace deep-rooted fears with curiosity and newfound knowledge, to introduce fresh perspectives.

About the host: Pamela Ng is passionate about socio-ecological challenges which include biodiversity conservation, human-wildlife conflicts and climate concerns. She combines her interest in nature and the arts to communicate the value of nature and human-wildlife coexistence through storytelling, visuals and soundscapes. Professionally, Pam leverages her expertise in sustainability consulting to transform businesses by providing climate and sustainability advisory services. Outside of work, she facilitates immersive ecological programs at The Untamed Paths. Pam also volunteers as a Wildlife Rescue officer with ACRES, cultivating care and encouraging advocacy in action for the environment.

Hosted by Pamela Ng

26 Aug (Sat) | 2.30pm – 3.30pm

ArtScience Cinema, Level 4

Free admission with online registration at this link

Join us for an eclectic session of art and conservation as we bring together three wonderful artists who will delve into the intersection of their creative endeavors and the urgent need for environmental preservation.

In this thought-provoking discussion, each artist will share their unique perspectives, experiences and artistic practices that aim to raise awareness about conservation issues. From interactive installations to mesmerising soundscapes, these artists show us how they use their craft to showcase the fragile beauty of our planet and inspire action. Through sharing about their works and insightful narratives, audiences will be encouraged to reflect on our own role in protecting and preserving the natural world.

Whether you're an art enthusiast, a nature lover, or simply curious about the intersection of art and sustainability, this event seeks to be enlightening and inspiring for all. Together, let's explore the transformative power of art in shaping a more sustainable future.

Artists:

Ho Yi Dan
Nathan Tan
Ng Sze Min, Artwave Studio
Dorcas Tang

Hosted by Coastal Natives

26 Aug (Sat) | 4pm – 5pm

ArtScience Cinema, Level 4

Free admission with online registration at this link

Curious about how you can contribute to science-based research without a science degree? Scientists can’t be everywhere and that’s where the rest of us can help fill the gap. In this session, you'll be introduced to various marine conservation citizen science projects by the team from Coastal Natives, providing you a global overview of projects where citizen scientists can share information and collect data that further scientific research and the protection of species and our environment.

In the second half of the session, learn about ReefX and jump straight into a marine life quiz! ReefX is an initiative for recreational scuba divers to contribute towards local reef conservation work in Singapore. On their expeditions, you will get involved with every aspect, from measuring sea cucumbers and recording depths of fish, to taking ID shots (maybe even creating a new biodiversity record!). Through this experience, you will help input data for researchers and undertake first-hand marine conservation work!

About the host: Marine Stewards is a non-profit organisation founded in 2019 that seeks to make marine conservation mainstream and accessible in Singapore. They currently manage the ReefX and FishX programmes, where they activate sea sports enthusiasts and empower them as citizen sientists

Hosted by Coastal Natives and Marine Stewards

(Photo by Mok Wai Hoe)

27 Aug (Sun) | 11.30am – 12.30pm

ArtScience Cinema, Level 4

Free admission with online registration at this link

Recommended for ages 12 and above.

In 2023, MJ participated in an expedition to Antarctica to document and learn more about climate change. Through this chat, MJ shares some behind-the-scenes experiences, as well as her key takeaways from the trip.

About the host: Biogirl MJ is the co-founder and host of science channel Just Keep Thinking, which spreads knowledge about science and wildlife to children and adults, alike.

Hosted by Biogirl MJ

27 Aug (Sun) | 1pm – 2pm

ArtScience Cinema, Level 4

Recommended for children aged 4-12

Free admission with online registration at this link

Changi Beach Discovery: A Young Intertidal Explorers' Skit is an engaging performance, whereby participants will watch two friends (our educators acting) go on a journey to Singapore's very own Changi Beach! On their journey, they will encounter some of the fascinating marine animals that can be found on the shore! Apart from learning about these marine animals, your students will have a new found appreciation for the marine ecosystem and how to conserve it through the three R's!

Young Nautilus is a Singapore-based education company focused on experiential learning that has shaped a new generation of ocean lovers through their programmes.

Hosted by Young Nautilus

27 Aug (Sun) | 2.30pm – 3.30pm

ArtScience Cinema, Level 4

Free admission with online registration at this link

Coastal urbanisation and climate change are driving the global proliferation of artificial coastal defences. These structures have significant effects on the ecology of marine habitats, leading to the loss of biodiversity and associated ecosystem services. For example, seawalls are generally homogenous and steep. Due to these differences, artificial defences are poor surrogates for the habitats they replace. Ecological engineering—the integration of ecological principles and engineering for the benefit of both humans and nature—is a form of Nature Based Solution that is being increasingly adopted to alleviate the negative impacts associated with coastal defences by improving their ecological functioning. One of the more successful eco-engineering strategies is to add tiles with complex topographies, microhabitats, and water-retaining features. These can increase the richness and abundance of species reminiscent of native communities. Moving forward, how can we incorporate habitat complexity and green elements into new coastal defence designs, and what additional benefits may they be able to provide?

Dr Peter Todd is an experimental marine ecologist who focusses urban marine systems. He works on increasing understanding of the ecology and functioning of tropical coastal marine organisms and communities under environmental stress. His research is multidisciplinary, synthesising elements of biology, geography and engineering to answer ecological questions. His team has 18 years of experience in the conceptualisation, build, implementation, and analysis of novel experiments, and over a decade designing and testing a wide range of seawall enhancements. Dr Todd is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, where he runs the Experimental Marine Ecology Laboratory and is director of the Bachelor of Environmental Studies programme. He has published over 150 peer-reviewed papers on coastal systems and his lab’s research is featured regularly in both local and international media.

Hosted by Dr. Peter Todd

27 Aug (Sun) | 4pm – 5pm

ArtScience Cinema, Level 4

Free admission with online registration at this link

Today’s youth are the first generation to feel the impacts of climate change and the last that can do something about it. Youth leadership is real, and it is powerful. Putting them at the seat of change is needed now more than ever.

While there is often a misconception that youths are apathetic or are disengaged around climate policy and decision making, this session’s panelists represent just a handful of examples that demonstrate that youths are actually highly engaged and want to be empowered to drive change. This panel discussion aims to highlight some of the work that youths in Singapore are doing to push for policy changes and for impactful action to be taken to protect the Earth and climate.

Moderator: Erin Gunanto, Programme Manager, EB Impact
Panelists: Muhd Nasry, Core Member, Singapore Youth Voices for Biodiversity (SYVB), Rishika Selvan, Singapore Youth for Climate Action, Ashleen Tan Su Ying, Associate Research, National University Singapore

Hosted by EB Impact