Festival Info
M1 Singapore Fringe Festival 2024
The Fringe started in 2005. Since then, it has been showing fresh and modern work that follow a theme each year, to talk about urgent issues.
We asked artists what they were worried about in today’s world. What can we do to create a better future? When we chose the works, we could clearly see what they cared about.
We picked six works. They show different ideas about how to connect with other people in hard times. How do we stop following old ideas and habits?
Bertolt Brecht said that art does not just show how the world is, but can change it.
As we release the works for 2024, we are also sad about what is happening in the world. People are still violent and fighting. The past has shown that no one wins in war. We hope that art can help us think more about how violence does not help. Perhaps art can bring back hope, to help us see each other as humans, and build strength and a community.
Our artists want peace and to connect with other people. People are finding it harder to agree and getting angry with each other. We hope you can think more about what you think is right or wrong, and why. What is your role? While we still live in peace, not everyone does. We hope these works can show care and hope for those who are hurt. We hope you can speak up for those who cannot.
We still believe art can unite people. This is despite the fighting and many crises of the environment, politics, and wealth differences. We think art can help us see each other as fellow humans, even though we don’t agree with each other. Seeing the art, we hope people will have the courage to speak up.
Join our conversations on social media @m1sff about Fringe 2024 with the hashtag #m1sff.
M1 Singapore Fringe Festival
17 to 28 January 2024
The Fringe Team
M1 Singapore Fringe Festival 2024
From its inception in 2005 till today, the Fringe has presented cutting edge, contemporary works curated around a specific theme that reflected what we felt were urgent issues of the day.
We wanted to hear from artists about what they are concerned with in the world today, and what they hope to see as a healing process, or a way forward to a different, better future. Through the curation process, we saw clear messages about what artists care about in a world that is still struggling through various crises.
Through our line-up of six works, we see distinct voices about connections in troubled times and breaking free from stereotypes and routines.
“Art is not a mirror held up to reality, but a hammer with which to shape it.”
—Bertolt Brecht
As we unveil the programming for 2024, we are deeply saddened by the new and continued waves of hostility, violence, and chaos in many parts of the world. History has demonstrated time and again that there just are no winners in strife and war, and we hope that through art, we confront the senselessness of violence, and revive hope in these ominous times through building resilience, community, and our shared humanity.
Our artists seek peace and connections in these tumultuous times. In an increasingly divided world, we urge everyone reflect upon our own moral conscience and responsibilities, challenging conditioned biases and weaponised grief. We may live in privileged peace, but we hope that these works can convey messages of care and hope for the vulnerable and hurting, while encouraging others to raise their voices in solidarity.
Amidst global strife and violence, added to ongoing crises such as environmental and biodiversity collapse, political polarisation, and growing economic inequality, we continue to believe in the power of art to unite people, help us embrace our shared humanity despite differences, and inspire the courage to speak truth to power.
We invite you to join us at Fringe 2024.
Join our conversations on social media @m1sff about Fringe 2024 with the hashtag #m1sff.
Get involved.M1 Singapore Fringe Festival
17 to 28 January 2024
The Fringe Team
Photo by Vojtěch BrtnickýSAME SAME by Dame de Pic/Cie Karine Ponties & Temporary Collective (Belgium & Czech Republic)
Image Description: Two women in black skirt suits—one appearing to catch the other from falling backwards.