Art Carnival Draws Thousands In Celebration of National Gallery Singapore's Grand Opening
Opening Celebrations continue until 6 December
Thousands of visitors participated in a new arts experience over National Gallery Singapore’s opening celebrations weekend. Following President Tony Tan Keng Yam’s Grand Opening ceremony on 27 November, visitors stepped into a massive art carnival, Share the Hope, at the Padang and enjoyed an eight-minute commissioned light and sound show that was projected on the façade of the Gallery’s buildings. The façade show, exclusively sponsored by Cartier, was inspired by artworks in the Gallery. The outdoor carnival was a three-day extension of several other admission-free art activities and exhibitions within the Gallery premises.
More than 150,000 people are expected to have visited the Gallery, the art carnival and its Singapore and Southeast Asian art exhibitions by the time the opening celebrations end on 6 December. “It is extremely encouraging to see the community bond over art at the Grand Opening of National Gallery Singapore. The overwhelming participation of the public speaks to the growing interest and demand for arts-related activities,” said Ms Chong Siak Ching, CEO of National Gallery Singapore. “We would like to thank all visitors and the art community for their strong support and our volunteers for making our opening celebrations a resounding success. We look forward to welcoming more visitors to the Gallery as they learn more about art and be inspired by the stories that each piece of art tells.”
Visitors of all ages entered five different tents at the art carnival to participate in free activities such as Draw, Weave, Knot where more than 8,400 metres of thread, yarn and rope with different colours and textures were used to create artistic patterns. Another installation, WWIID Food (Wild Food), simulated a wild jungle environment and invited
participants to take photographs with actors who played guerrilla soldiers from World War II.
Bee Aye, who conceptualised Draw, Weave, Knot said, “Being able to participate in the art carnival was a wonderful experience. We were so excited to see the transformation of the installations. Our interaction with the participants certainly enriched our experience and added layers of memories to the artwork.”
“The Art Carnival was very accessible for visitors of all ages. I particularly enjoyed how interactive it was. Inviting visitors to participate in the creation of art pieces like the web of strings and shooting paintballs onto the black canvas was fun and made art a lot more participatory. I also liked how there were lots of available seating - both inside and outside the food tent,” said visitor to the art carnival, Vera Lim, 27.
The Gallery’s opening celebrations will continue until 6 December 2015. Visitors can still enjoy free activities such as In the Name of Red, a unique dance performed against the majestic backdrop of a cascading grand staircase at the Padang Atrium. The dance pays homage to distinct hues of red found within artworks in the Gallery’s collection. Musicians such as Japanese Jazz pianist Aya Sekine and post-progressive rock band ANECHOIS will also perform at various locations within the Gallery. Other activities within the Gallery include The Scroll of Nanyang Ink by Arts Fission (Supreme Court Wing, Level 4M), Inside/Out: Sketchwalks with Urban Sketchers Singapore (Various location), Panel discussion: Architecture, Design and Conservation Principles of the Gallery (Auditorium), and more.
All visitors enjoy complimentary admission to the exhibitions at the two permanent galleries (DBS Singapore Gallery and the UOB Southeast Asia Gallery) from now to 6 December 2015. Thereafter, Singapore Citizens, PRs and children (six years and under) will continue to enjoy free admission.