Conversations on and Performances for The Substation

ITI Director T. Sasitharan (a.k.a. Sasi) contributed to the recent discussions about The Substation's vacation and eventual closure. 

Sasi joined New Naratif on the Political Agenda podcast to share his thoughts on The Substation's significance in the local arts landscape and why the arts is important to Singapore's future. He also spoke to Dhevarajan Devadas about the history and significance of The Substation in Singapore on The Historyogi Podcast. 

He was also interviewed for an article in The Straits Times:  

'Former Substation artistic director T. Sasitharan decried this as "the saddest day in Singapore arts". 

“We have sacrificed The Substation in the name of development economics, urban planning and progress,” said the Intercultural Theatre Institute director, 62.

“The truest, most authentic site of plural, inclusive, independent, interdisciplinary art making in Singapore has fallen victim to the callous logic of bureaucracy. It’s a damning indictment of all of us, as artists, as a people and a society. All our wealth and stature and capability couldn’t save it. What have we become?”'

~ 'The Substation to close permanently after leaving Armenian Street venue", The Straits Times, 2 March 2021 

Before that, he weighed in on the importance of artist-led spaces and his thoughts on the future plans of converting The Substation into a centre for arts groups, which can be read here and here. 

ITI Board Member and The Substation board chairman, Chew Kheng Chuan (aka K.C. Chew), shares his experience in fundraising and provided a deeper insight on The Substation's closure in a TODAY article.