Shubigi Rao: Charting the Book's Journey as a Beacon of Resistance and Knowledge

Singaporean artist Shubigi Rao, collaborating with Ute Meta Bauer, the curator and founding director of the NTU Centre for Contemporary Art Singapore (CCA), presents “Pulp III: An Intimate Inventory of the Banished Book,” part of her decade-long film, book, and visual art project “Pulp: A Short Biography of the Banished Book” which began in 2014.

Rao’s multifaceted work, comprising art, texts, films, and photographs, delves into historical flashpoints to scrutinize contemporary issues of displacement—be it of people, languages, cultures, or knowledge. Central to Rao’s project is the focus on the history of book destruction, censorship, and repression, alongside the book as a beacon of redemption and resistance.

Rao’s presentation for the Venice Biennale encompasses a book, a film, and an immersive paper maze, delving into the fragility and resilience of endangered languages and the vital need for open access to knowledge. The paper maze houses 5,000 copies of “Pulp III,” inviting visitors to engage intimately with the work and take copies with them. This third installment of the series interweaves new research on Singapore and Venice as historical hubs of print with findings from the initial five years of Rao’s project.

Her film “Talking Leaves” features interviews with a diverse array of individuals connected to the world of books, from book historians and librarians to rare-book sellers and family publishers, spanning Venice and Singapore. This wide-ranging film underscores the collaborative nature inherent in the world of bookmaking.

Rao’s interest in Venice’s printmaking history stems from the city’s historical openness to freedom of expression. From the 15th to the 16th century, Venice was a major European print center, relatively free from ecclesiastical and state censorship. It attracted a diverse array of scholars and immigrants, leading to the printing of texts in various languages and scripts. Rao highlights the Venetian printer Aldus Manutius’s innovation in creating portable, accessible books, a precursor to the modern paperback, revolutionizing the availability of printed material.

Furthermore, Venice’s history as a safe haven for diasporic communities, notably the Armenians active in publishing since 1512, is explored in Rao’s film. These narratives intertwine to reveal the city’s role in fostering movements for human rights and social change through print.

The selection of Rao and Bauer to represent Singapore by the National Arts Council’s commissioning panel underscores their proposal’s universal appeal and critical connection to Singapore. This project is a testament to Rao’s long-standing interest in the pluralistic nature of print centers and their pivotal roles in societal transformation.

Rao’s extensive body of work, including books, artworks, installations, and films, demonstrates her commitment to examining contemporary crises through the lens of history, exploring themes ranging from ecology and natural history to urban malaise and digital realities. Her ongoing project, “Pulp,” involves filming public and private collections, libraries, and archives worldwide, reflecting her deep engagement with the history of book destruction and the importance of preserving knowledge.

In addition to her artistic pursuits, Rao has been an influential figure in the academic sphere, lecturing in Art Theory and supervising MFA dissertations. Her numerous awards and commissions, including the Singapore Literature Prize and public artwork for the Stevens MRT Interchange, highlight her significant contributions to the art world.

Rao’s feature at the Singapore Pavilion in the Venice Biennale marks a pivotal moment in her career, showcasing her unique approach to art that intertwines historical research, artistic creation, and social commentary. Her work at the Biennale, embodying the intricate relationship between books, knowledge, and societal change, offers a profound commentary on the enduring power of the printed word in shaping human consciousness and cultural development.