Synopsis:

To literally mean 'looking up every day', Tian Tian Xiang Shang 天天向上 (TTXS) was created in the 1970s by Danny Yung, the co-artistic director and founding member of Zuni Icosahedron, and one of the most influential artist and cultural figures in Hong Kong and greater Asia who has been recognised internationally for his lifetime contribution to the arts and cultural exchanges. TTXS started out as a conceptual comic about a curious little boy, Tian Tian, who is always asking questions, and refusing to be a model student just focused on his books. Tian Tian's white three-dimensional body represents a blank piece of paper full of possibilities that people can write or draw on to express their thoughts, ideas and emotions. It also represents a platform for discussion, engagement and creativity.

For over a decade, the TTXS project has travelled to and has been represented in major cities like Tokyo, Seoul, Milan, Vancouver and Paris, to name a few. It has also been invited to prominent cultural institutions and events around the world such as the TODAY ART MUSEUM – Beijing, Museum of Contemporary Art – Shanghai, and the world-famous Smithsonian Folklife Festival – Washington DC.

Its popular Creative Collaboration Program which brings together leading international artists and creative individuals to promote positive social change through the arts and culture, have seen the likes of renowned individuals like Tsui Hark, Vivienne Tam and Stanley Wong participate in various ways, including designing a blank, three-dimensional 50cm Tian Tian figurine as an expression of their thoughts.

From 28 July to 21 August 2017, Raffles City will be transformed into a major public art space, with more than a thousand Tian Tian figurines of varying sizes, displayed around the mall at Level 1. Key highlights include 40 over pieces of Tian Tian figurines designed by leading Singaporean artists and cultural figures such as Eric Khoo, Alfian Sa'at, T'ang Quartet, Kok Heng Leun, Boo Junfeng and Yuni Hadi. Well-known local personalities such as Daniel Yun, Ang Peng Siong, Jeanette Aw and Joanne Peh are represented too, as are the young artists from The Art Faculty (by Pathlight School). This Singapore collection will be displayed alongside another 50 over pieces of Tian Tian figurines designed by international artists from countries including Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan and North America. Three larger-than-life Tian Tian figurines towering at more than 3 metres each, will also anchor the exhibition at various entrances of Raffles City.

"Tian Tian, with its smiley face exudes hope and optimism. When invited to participate in this project, I was really intrigued to see how this hope and optimism can remain strong and tenacious in the midst of difficult times. It has been a very reflective process and I am really looking forward to how other artists articulate their thoughts on the subject." – Kok Heng Leun, Nominated Member of Parliament and Artistic Director of Drama Box.

As part of the exhibition, a TTXS creative workshop was held for almost 1,000 young Singaporean students across the island. Danny Yung, Artist and Creator of TTXS said: "Education has always been one of my primary concerns. The TTXS workshop aims to bring children, parents, teachers and artists together to engage in creative dialogue and exchange, and to discuss the role of education." The TTXS workshops were specially curated and developed to encourage creativity, critical thinking and openness amongst the children to enable them to better express their thoughts, ideas and emotions. Each student designed a petite 12cm version of the Tian Tian figurine, which will also be displayed in tandem with those designed by the international guest artists at the exhibition.