25 September – 27 September, Level 5, Grand Ballroom Foyer, Sands Expo and Convention Center

Project Airship is a modern art installation that conveys three important aspects of the freedom of residence, the freedom of movement, and the idea of ecological housing and vehicles. People should be allowed to choose where they want to live, move anywhere and any way they want, and yet remind mindful of the importance of green living.

A futuristic hotel constructed from hovering panels, light, mirrors and glass, it represents the development of new ideas and dreams and how man innovates and creates new infrastructure that is both incredible and exciting. These represent the future of high-rise living, and the artist believes that Singapore will be dotted with these self-sustaining airships in the future. This project represents the new ties and new opportunities that always present themselves whenever the RSBF takes place – a birthplace of new ideas and collaborations.

About Maria Tikhonova

Maria has won much recognition for her murals and installation projects. A member of the Moscow Artists’ Union and the International Arts Fund, she has created and participated in more than 40 joint and solo exhibitions throughout Russia and abroad. She has most recently become the head of the Fund and the Center for Orthodox Science and Culture named after P.Florensky.

24 September – 24 November, Terminal 3, Changi Airport

One of the most common imagery associated with Russia are the Matryoshka Dolls. Characterised by their trademark ‘doll-within-a-doll’ design and traditionally painted with a Russian peasant woman on the outside, these dolls represent the importance of looking for the deeper meaning, or the deeper layers within a particular subject. It encourages the process of investigation and the seeking of truth, such that greater potential can be uncovered.

This photo project seeks to present a metaphor of how the RSBF has gone beyond the traditional notions of what Russia is as a nation, and through the demystification process, paves new gateways between Russia and the rest of the world.

About Ernest Goh

Ernest is a multi-disciplinary artist who draws his inspiration from the common, the mundane and the often-overlooked aspects of our daily lives. As a photographer, he has garnered several awards including the Philips Design award for his photography as well as UK’s Institute of Contemporary Arts inaugural Incentivizing Innovation Fund.

25 September, North Garden, SkyPark, Marina Bay Sands Hotel

Transforming the entire North Garden into an underwater paradise demonstrates how through creativity and dedication, one can change reality. By combining the vision of Mr Loic Serot, and the culinary genius of Chef Janice Wong, guests of RSBF 2011 will experience how reality and perception can be challenged. The oceanscape represents the amazing beauty and mystery of the sea, and guests can expect to walk in an underwater world, amidst shimmering sugar coral structures, littered with LED lights strategically placed, as though stars had fallen into the sea.

Effervescence Memories seeks to showcase the ocean as a natural historian, all-encompassing and impartial in its recording of all events that take place in its waters. Delve deep enough and one will find artifacts from yesteryear, perfectly preserved in their former glory. Be it a piece of racing history, or a fine vintage, these relics are just waiting to share their story with anyone who discovers them.

At the same time, the installation represents the new frontiers, perceptions and realities that can be created through the collaboration of great minds and great people. This is one of the main intentions of the RSBF.

About Chef Janice Wong

From her humble beginnings at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, Chef Janice Wong quickly moved on to working with celebrated chefs like Will Goldfarb, Oriol Balaguer, Grant Achatz, Juan and Elena Arzak and Pierre Hermé. Her innovative take on desserts and her ever-evolving creations have recently won her the 2011 Pastry Chef of the Year Award at the 2011 World Gourmet Summit.

About Loic Serot

Mr Loic Serot is an art director, curator, filmmaker and designer. His love for aesthetics and his keen eye for design has placed him at the helm of many creative projects in Japan, Hong Kong and France. He is always on the lookout for exciting projects where he can flex his design and architectural chops.

26 September, Level 5, Grand Ballroom Foyer, Sands Expo and Convention Center

About Nikolai Song

At the young age of five and a half, Nikolai started learning music. Talent and passion saw him mastering the recorder, piccolo and the big flute in less than two and a half years. Under the guidance of his teacher, Prof. Larisa Tupitsyna, Nikolai has progressed well and is a laureate of a several international flute competitions. 2011 has been an extremely exciting year for Nikolai, with him garnering awards and accolades from competitions in Italy, New York and Singapore.

Apart from being a talented flautist, Nikolai is currently a Primary 3 student in Anglo-Chinese School (Junior). He is outgoing and a fan of soccer, swimming and taekwondo.

Being of Korean-Russian descent, and having a family that values a multi-lingual and cross-cultural environment, it is natural that Nikolai is very in touch with his heritage. He is symbolic of the growing bonds between Russia and Asia.

Nikolai performs exclusively for the Russia-Singapore Business Forum on 26 September, 2011.