Nodal Thinking in Curatorial Practice
NODAL THINKING IN CURATORIAL PRACTICE
A Workshop by Rafi Abdullah
Day 1 - 24th July 2026, 7-8:30pm
Day 2 - 31st July 2026, 7-8:30pm
As the digital landscape transitions from centralized platforms to decentralized networks, the traditional role of the curator undergoes a fundamental shift. In this workshop, independent Singaporean curator Rafi Abdullah will introduce participants to the methodology of "node-thinking" — a strategy for applying technological tools and structures incorporating node networks towards curatorial practice.
Tracing the historical presence of early nodal thinking through oral traditions and pre-internet artistic practice, Rafi will lead the workshop into demonstrations of how technological platforms and tools can be utilized in novel ways of knowledge creation.
About the Curator
Rafi Abdullah is an independent Singaporean curator and writer whose practice explores contemporary art, visual culture, and the politics of aesthetics. His research focuses heavily on emerging technologies, digital subcultures, simulated worlds, and their implications on both online and offline societies.
Rafi has close to a decade of experience working across varying capacities for cultural institutions, art galleries, and museums in Singapore. He was most recently a curator at the ArtScience Museum. Now practicing independently, Rafi frequently collaborates on digital culture projects, examining intersections between network methodologies, gaming technologies, and collaborative knowledge building. His curatorial approach champions decentralized frameworks and non-linear storytelling.
This workshop is presented as part of Codependent Curricular Activities, an artist takeover programme presented and produced by ToNewEntities, and curated by Rafi Abdullah. The programme is supported by the National Arts Council's Arts x Tech Lab initiative. The Lab nurtures Singapore's arts x tech community, driving new artistic endeavours and bridging arts and technology conversations to develop Singapore's vibrant arts scene.
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