Kaws:Holiday exhibition to open on Nov 16 after court lifts injunction order
SINGAPORE — The Kaws:Holiday Singapore exhibition at The Float@Marina Bay will go ahead on Tuesday (Nov 16) after a court lifted an injunction that had earlier prevented the art exhibition from proceeding, its organisers said on Monday.
SINGAPORE — The Kaws:Holiday Singapore exhibition at The Float@Marina Bay will go ahead on Tuesday (Nov 16) after a court lifted an injunction that had earlier prevented the art exhibition from proceeding, its organisers said on Monday.
The Hong Kong-based organisers AllRightsReserved said in a media statement that the court on Monday ordered Singapore non-profit foundation The Ryan Foundation to pay its legal costs after lifting the interim prohibitory injunction.
The injunction was obtained by The Ryan Foundation last Saturday over an alleged breach of its intellectual property rights and alleged breach of confidence.
It temporarily stopped AllRightsReserved from proceeding with the exhibition and any sale or distribution of merchandise related to it.
AllRightsReserved said in its statement: “The court further ordered that there will also be an inquiry into the damages sustained by AllRightsReserved by reason of the injunction.”
When contacted by TODAY, Mr Ryan Su, founding director of The Ryan Foundation, confirmed that the organisation had been ordered to pay the organisers legal costs and that there will be an inquiry into any damages sustained.
The 42m-long giant inflatable installation by American artist Brian Donnelly, better known as Kaws, is on its seventh stop after tours in places such as Hong Kong, South Korea and Taiwan.
The exhibition is scheduled to run until Nov 21 and is supported by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB).
In a statement on Monday, AllRightsReserved said that it felt “wronged and frustrated” when the exhibition was forced to close because it prevented people from different backgrounds from seeing the artwork.
“This is not what our company, or the world, would like to see,” it added.
“Fortunately, the court’s judgement allows the exhibition to be reopened tomorrow, so that Kaws:Holiday Singapore can finally enter the hearts of Singaporean citizens.
“Our company hopes that people can relieve their burdens under the pandemic and relax on the shores of the beautiful Marina Bay.”
In its statement on Monday, The Ryan Foundation said that the interim injunction was “a temporary court remedy” and the foundation is happy for the public to enjoy the artwork.
Its director, Mr Adrian Chan, claimed that the exhibition had been built on confidential information.
“This is a long case that will be fought for all the freelancers and creatives whose ideas, pitches and work has been stolen or used without authorisation,” he alleged.
The foundation said that it is still pursuing the case against AllRightsReserved in the High Court for breaches of confidence and infringement of its intellectual property rights.
It said that it had filed proceedings for contempt of court in the High Court and will be proceeding with its application.
In response to TODAY’s queries, Ms Lim Shoo Ling, STB’s director of arts and cultural precincts, said the agency understood from the organisers that the court injunction has been lifted.
Ms Lim added that STB will continue to work with the organisers to ensure a safe and successful event.