Tuesday 23 August 2022

Walkabout the magic of the S'pore Night Festival 2022


The Singapore Night Festival (SNF) is back this year after the COVID-19 pandemic forced us to take a hiatus over the last 2 years.
Starting from 19 to 27 August 2022, SNF returns with the theme Rebirth for its 13th edition. This year’s festival will zoom in on the BBB precinct’s heritage and stories through makes its highly anticipated return after two years, going hyperlocal as it focuses more closely on the heritage and identity of Bras Basah.Bugis (BBB), and on local artists and arts groups. The festival will feature over 55 programmes including enthralling projection mapping installations on iconic landmarks, Night Lights installations all across the precinct, various performances, and a series of experiential programmes that shed light on the lesser-known stories of the precinct.
#SGNIGHTFEST by Pan United
Over 7-metres long, the #SGNIGHTFEST art installation comprises 3D-printed concrete letters specially created by homegrown concrete company Pan-United. 
#SGNIGHTFEST is Pan-United’s second installation at the Singapore Night Festival.

Stories from Forbidden Hill by Maxin10sity
Hungarian projection mapping production studio Maxin10sity gives us a feast for the eyes with Stories from Forbidden Hill, using ancient wall murals and nature to paint the  narrative of Singapore’s history dating back to the 14th century.

Also there is one hidden germ at the corner end of National Museum of Spore - STEPS (2022).
STEPS (2022) by Victoria Hertel
Date: 19th to 27th Aug 22
Time:7.30pm to 12midnight
Triggered through visitors entering the work's sensory radius the LED light strips change color from their initial white light to various hues along the visible light spectrum, The LEDs reset to white light once the visitor has moved on to the next step.

Cathay Hotel: The Curse of the Missing Red Shoe
Come and see the Bras Basah.Bugis (BBB) precinct in a whole new light? Catch a glimpse of this year’s Highlight Act - immersive theatre performance Cathay Hotel: The Curse of the Missing Red Shoe - blends history and imagination in a forty-five-minute detective story featuring icons of the 50s and 60s like Mat Bond, Orang Minyak, and Pontianak. 
Inspector Latiff (foreground)
Mat Bond (left) and Pontianak
Mambo Girl
Orang Minyak
Watch characters from the local film come to life in an immersive outdoor performance opposite the Cathay Building for 6 nights only - 19th, 29th, 24th, 25th, 26th & 27th Aug. Time: 7.30pm, 8.45pm with additional show at 10pm on 19th, 20th, 26th & 27th Aug. 
Produced by local art collective Vertical Submarine, the group created a replica of the historical Cathay complex for their show at a Cathay Green tentage.
Classic Ticket in 1960s

TERRARIUM by AUX Media Group, Binary Style, PAPERSYNTHESIS and BIOS: Living by NFTs
Date: 19th to 27th Aug 22
Time:7.30pm to 12midnight
Imagine a hybridised reality that ponders future possibilities for nature and how technology could blur the lines between what’s living and what’s truly alive. Step into an immersive garden landscape dreamt up by AUX Media Group in collaboration with lifestyle brand Binary Style.
Look out for hornbill flying and otters running as well as Dragon playground on the screen located at National Design Centre.

Touring around BBB to locations such as Armenian Street and Queen Street, as well as familiar landmarks such as CHIJMES and the National Design Centre, to enjoy the vibrancy of the precinct and discover its stories together. Not forgetting the Stamford Court - Stamford Clock Tower.
The Melting Pot by Adeline Tan & Benedict Yeo
Madeleine by Lueur
Glitches of You by Amanda Tan
Date: 19th to 27th Aug 22
Time:7.30pm to 12midnight
Look out for a beautiful hornbill (Top: 1st & 2nd pic) projected on Stamford Clock Tower. The animated bird will take you on a virtual tour of the Bras Basah.Bugis (BBB) precinct, which is set to glow in the dark between 19th to 27th August. Time: 7.30pm to 12mn.

PALIMPSEST by William Chan and Brandon Tay
Date: 19th to 27th Aug 22
Time:7.30pm to 12midnight
PALIMPSEST is a poetic expression of the artists’ contemporary take into the history and evolution of the now pedestrianised street.
The evolution of Armenian Street to a palimpsest – a medieval wax tablet or parchment from which writing has been partially or completely erased to make space for another text, these multiple translucent screens can be seen as a series of connections, presenting the Street as a palimpsest both literally and metaphorically, inscribed with layers of meaning of “here and then” and “then and now”. 
Photosensitivity Advisory: This work features flashing lights. Visitors with light-sensitive conditions should exercise caution.

Paddy Fields by FARM
Date: 19th to 27th Aug 22
Time:7.30pm to 12midnight
Paddy Fields recalls the forgotten practice of drying cultivated rice along the banks of Sungei Brass Bassa (now Stamford Canal) in the early 19th-century. The area was close to the paddy fields that used to be located opposite today’s KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital. South Asian washermen and women also laundered clothes there, laying them out to dry on an adjacent open space. Using a palette of humble materials, this installation seeks to evoke the sentiments reminiscent of these activities from a bygone era.

Further up along the walkway is the Raffles City where there is a huge structure stood tall located outside ihe entrance
An Ocean Without the Anchor by SPEAK CRYPTIC
Date: 19th to 27th Aug 22
Time:7.30pm to 12midnight
An Ocean Without the Anchor is inspired by the lighthouse, a sturdy structure synonymous with being a beacon of hope shining in the darkness. A guiding light for those lost at sea, the lighthouse gives a sense of comfort to seamen leaving and returning home.
The tower comprises five figures sitting stacked on each other’s shoulders. At the top is the roof of a traditional kampung house, signifying shelter and safety as our community slowly transitions into “the new normal”.

The SNF2022 also expands to Fort Canning Park this year, showcasing works that festival-goers can enjoy at any time of the day. Tobyato Bird Pitstop by tobyato is an artistic nod to Singapore’s rich bird biodiversity, inspired by the William Farquhar Collection of Natural History Drawings, inviting festival-goers to rediscover the well trodden park by night.
Trolling in the park, Under My Tree Roof is artist Chloë Manasseh’s first voyage into translating her artwork into a digital print displayed on the iconic Fort Canning Spiral Stairway.

Night Lights
Art Installstions within Bras Basah.Bugis
Date: 19th to 27th Aug 22
Time:7.30pm to 12midnight daily
There are lots of Arts Installations located at Banyan Tree, Waterloo Centre, Stamford Arts Centre, Ford Canning park, SMU Campus Green snd Bras Basah Complex.
Below are some of the photos shot by me.
Celebration of Life+Style by Justin Lee
NOCTURE: Conversations with Waterloo by Nhawfal Juma'at
We can no longer be Strangers after this by Perception3
Fēcundus by Twardzik Ching Chor Leng
Through Worlds by Jo Ho and Intriguant
Through Worlds is an imagination of the endless possibilities that emerging technologies which includes traveling through parallel worlds that simultaneously exist with the current physical one.
Performances & Arts&Crafts
Date: 26th to 27th Aug 22
Time:7pm to 10.30pm
Catch performances featuring the unique soundscape of Singapore by Nanyang Collective, modern multi-ethnic music by SwaRhythm Ensemble, and performance art about Malay dance gestures by P7:1SMA.
SwaRhythm Ensemble music
Discoloo Centre by P7:1SMA
Soak in the charm and the richness of ethnic arts and enjoy two delightful evenings of interactive traditional arts programmes, with a contemporary twist!
Try your hands at Indian rangoli and Chinese calligraphy, add your own twist to a shadow puppetry play by Paper Monkey Theatre, and stitch a simple motif (cross stitch pattern) at Sulam Circle by Heath Yeo.
I had this Cross Stitch motiff at my mum's house. I had learned how to stitch the rose pattern since I was in my 20s. This stitch pattern can make a perfect handkerchief or a gift to a loved ones.
Floral Cross Stitch Patterns
Don’t miss the “Get-to-Know" sessions on Chinese opera, Hainanese rod puppetry and Peranakan embroidery to learn something interesting about our traditional arts and crafts.
Swipe through and book your tickets now with Klook, the Official Ticketing Partner for the Singapore Night Festival 2022!

There are more programmes available and you can refer to the Festival website for the full listing. Also keep a look out for food kiosks adding to the festivities over the weekend.

For more information on the Singapore Night Festival 2022, visit the Festival website.

In addition, there is a tentage just outside NMS - HEAT OF THE NIGHT
Date: 26th to 27th Aug 22
Time:7.30pm to 11pm

The memory of this Singapore Night Festival 2022 and join a self-guided race down memory lane in the Bras Basah.Bugis (BBB) precinct. The fastest racers will be in the running for attractive prizes including dining vouchers and a staycation at The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore, on top of bragging rights! Gather your friends and families to solve clues and uncover stories (and heritage) behind some beloved spots of the BBB city centre through interactive activities. Buy your tickets for this self-guided race now!

Registration: Information Booth located outside National Museum of Singapore.

Admission Ticket: S$10 per person *Bundle deal from 3rd to 27th Aug – S$50 up to 6 persons in one group.

Tickets can be purchased from Klook here: https://www.klook.com/en-SG/activity/74704


Tuesday 16 August 2022

SYSNMH - Celestial Baby Planets


Mid-Autumn Festival 2022 is back to the SYSNMH!

This year's Mid-Autumn festival will see a line-up of exciting hybrid programmes that will be sure to delight your family and loved ones.

Isn't it cute?
It symbolizes the family reunion and on this day, all families will appreciate the Moon in the evening.
Starting from 16th August 2022  to 25th Sept 2022, look out for the return of physical programmes; workshops, free events, trails & guided tours and not forgetting the 'cute' Celestial Bodies(星球宝宝).
Twilight baby planets 
Produced by Taiwan’s Kai 3D Art Studio and in collaboration with the Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall, Celestial Bodies is an outdoor installation comprising spherical lanterns featuring five of the artist’s characters: Moon, Earth, Sun, Saturn, and Mercury.
The installation pays tribute to the moon which is at its brightest and roundest on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month during the Mid-Autumn Festival. 
Bring your kids down to SYSNMH who could love to hug and to embrace the baby planets!
Your kids could love it!!
Wan Qing Mid-Autumn Festival 2022
Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall 
Date: 16 Aug – 25 Sep 2022
Opening Hours: Time:
Lawn Installation hours:
16 Aug – 25 Sep 2022
Time: 10am – 9pm daily
Extended Gallery hours:
20 & 21 Aug 2022
27 & 28 Aug 2022
3 & 4 Sep 2022 (Wan Qing Mid-Autumn Festival 2022) 
10 & 11 Sep 2022
Time: 10am – 9pm 

Revive and rejoin the story, traditions behind mid-autumn festival, one of the oldest cultural festivals in the world, and revel in the rich historical and cultural significance of the festival with a line-up of live performances, cultural workshops, heritage walking tours, storytelling sessions, and more during the weekend open house.

For more information about the Wan Qing Mid-Autumn Festival, please visit Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall’s website (https://www.sysnmh.org.sg/en) and Facebook page
(https://www.facebook.com/sysnmh) throughout the festival period.