Things To Do:
How to keep busy at home
New World’s End (ONGOING)
Put on a headset and explore the rich history of Jalan Besar through this immersive art experience. Combining an audio walk, multimedia and spatial design, the experience follows the love story of Kiran, a cinema projectionist, and Rosa, a dance hostess, set against the backdrop of Singapore’s famous old theme park, New World Amusement Park, in the 1960s. Participants will be guided to a range of hidden arty spaces, after which, they can stay on for supper and late-night shopping in the area. New World’s End is on every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 4pm to midnight. Each session lasts up to two hours. Tickets are $35 at ohstories.sg.
Street Corner Heritage Galleries: Kampung Gelam (ONGOING)
Businesses and trades that have at least 30 years’ history are being featured in this “mini museum” initiative. Launched by the National Heritage Board, the galleries will feature historical documents, photographs and artefacts that tell the story of the businesses. A total of seven businesses in Kampong Gelam are featured; they include Bhai Sarbat at 21 Bussorah Street, famous for pulled tea, including teh sarabat (ginger tea) and teh tarik; Rumah Makan Minang at 18/18A Kandahar Street, renowned for its nasi padang; and Sin Hin Chuan Kee at 796/798 North Bridge Road, a haberdashery shop. (Image: National Heritage Board)
Children’s Biennale (ONGOING)
The third edition of the National Gallery Singapore’s popular children’s art programme has launched a digital experience via a microsite. Nine commissioned artworks form the basis of interactive online games, animated stories, sonic and somatic workshops and digital art making. Children from two to 12 years will be guided by the inquiry, Why Art Matters. This event seeks to inspire children to navigate the changing times with empathy and confidence by using art experiences that explore topics such as home, diversity, time and the environment. The online experience will be followed by an on-site experience at National Gallery Singapore in September 2021. childrensbiennale.com
Stephen Page at REDSEA Gallery (ONGOING)
British artist Stephen Page uses the lostwax process when sculpting minimalist animal forms in bronze. Trained at the University of Southampton, he draws inspiration from how art and artefacts reflect the changing relationship between humans and animals. His work develops organically, beginning with a sketch that’s refined until it becomes something he’s happy to develop into a sculpture. After colour is applied to the sculpture, cooled layers of wax are applied to protect the colour and provide the final finish to the sculpture. View Stephen’s works at REDSEA Gallery, 9 Dempsey Road, #01-10 Dempsey Hill. redseagallery.com
Don’t miss our interview with Stephen on page 34 of this issue!
Outbound
(ONGOING)
Transitional spaces and key entrances at the National Gallery are reimagined through a series of unique artwork commissions in this ongoing exhibition. Through their work, artists from around the world provide new interpretations and narratives about these spots. Each commission will be displayed for at least three years, acting as landmarks to guide visitors through the Gallery while highlighting features of the building. Artists with commissions currently on display include Jane Lee (Singapore), Gary Carsley (Australia), Jeremy Chu (Singapore), Maria Taniguchi (Philippines) and Yee I-Lann (Malaysia), amongst others. nationalgallery.sg/outbound
Festival of Women, N.O.W. 2021
(UNTIL 31 JULY)
Following the success of its first all-digital edition in 2020, N.O.W. (“Not Ordinary Work”) returns a second time as a completely digital experience. It will explore taboo topics that are seldom heard or seen within diverse communities of women. The 15 programmes include four live stream productions, three digital exhibitions, and online conversations and workshops. Audiences will see and hear from collaborators who are diverse in age and life experiences – from 19 to 82 years, and from transgender and gender non-conforming performers. Programme details are available at notordinarywork.com.
ArtScience on Screen: Wondrous Worlds
(UNTIL 1 AUGUST)
The ArtScience Museum presents a collection of films that show how the young and young-at-heart use inventive means and technology to make sense of the world around them. There are four films, including Maidentrip, a documentary that follows 15-yearold Laura Dekker as she sets out to be the youngest person to sail around the world alone, and Big Hero 6, an animated story about the bond between a personal robot and a robotics prodigy. Free admission with online pre-booking at marinabaysands.com/ museum/events/wondrous-worlds.
Afterwords Travelling Exhibition
(UNTIL 31 DECEMBER)
Can a used piece of paper still have purpose? Calligraphy artist Malik Mazlan and haiku poet Dave Tai believe so – they’ve given new perspectives to past projects and personal items by transforming them into canvases for calligraphy and haiku. Afterwords explores paper that is recycled to become the foundation of new creations, spotlighting the longevity of the written word. The exhibition will travel to public libraries across Singapore – Ang Mo Kio in July, Clementi in August, Cheng San in September, Bedok in October, Toa Payoh in November, and Woodlands Regional in December.
Zoo Explained!
(24 & 30 JULY)
How are the animal stars of the Singapore Zoo trained? Who cares for all the animals? What different things do they eat? Find out through these live Zoom sessions ($10 per screen) that give a behind-the-scenes look. On 24 July, you can meet the baby rhinoceros that was born in March this year. His keeper Indah will share how she cares for him and all his antics. On 30 July, animal trainers Natalie and Hanna will show how they train the parrots, cats and dogs that appear in the Zoo’s Animal Friends Show. They welcome any questions you have about training your own pets too. Each session begins at 10am and lasts for 20 minutes. Book your slot at wrs.com.sg/en/hello-from-the-wild-side or email sales.bd.enq@wrs.com.sg to enquire about private or corporate group virtual tour sessions.