After much anticipation, the iconic giant sculpture by internationally-renowned artist KAWS has finally landed in Singapore, and is being displayed at The Float at Marina Bay since Saturday – but not without controversy.
Titled HOLIDAY, the project features a 42 metre-long inflatable of KAWS' signature character COMPANION posed in a reclining position, holding a miniature version of itself. This is the sculpture's seventh stop on a tour that has taken it to places like Seoul, Hong Kong, Japan, and most recently, the United Kingdom. For its Singapore stop, the artwork was scheduled to be available for public viewing from November 14 to 21.
This event was organised by Hong Kong-based studio AllRightsReserved (ARR), and supported by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB). However, things took a turn when ARR received a court order to prohibit the exhibition from taking place. Non-profit arts organisation, The Ryan Foundation filed an interim injunction for breach of intellectual property rights and the misuse of confidential information. Ryan Su, the founder of the foundation, applied for the court order after they found out that the exhibition would be coming to Singapore. The interim injunction has since been granted and this orders the exhibition to be halted.
For context, The Ryan Foundation had previously worked with AllRightsReserved Limited (ARR) in an attempt to bring the KAWS:HOLIDAY exhibition to Singapore back in 2019. Unfortunately, the negotiations did not materialise.
Besides the halting of the event, the organisers are also ordered to cease any sale and distribution of merchandise related to KAWS:HOLIDAY Singapore. Merchandise includes vinyl figures, tank tops, and a camping set.
Currently, the KAWS:HOLIDAY exhibition at The Float at Marina Bay is temporarily closed, as a result of the court order.
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