National Art Gallery celebrates the future

City Hall and former Supreme Court buildings host exclusive tours and public party before

To welcome Singaporeans and visitors into the future home of the National Art Gallery, two of Singapore’s most well‐loved monuments will metamorphose into carnival central on 9 and 10 October (Sat and Sun). With close to 300 activities and events, The National Art Gallery Open House features special tours, film screenings, workshops, talks, photography sessions, exhibits, bazaars, food, and a dazzling façade lighting display catering to audiences of all ages.

Historic Guided Tours

More than 2,500 members of the public can also enjoy a rare historical and architectural journey through the buildings by signing up for one of the 114 specially developed tours. Conducted in English, Mandarin, Malay and other languages by more than 185 volunteers and staff, the tours run every 10 minutes from 11 am to 6 pm. Participants can experience the power of the Chief Justice’s Court Room, sneak into his private chambers, relive the grandeur of the “grandest room” in Singapore, and imagine what it’s like when our first Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew and his Cabinet took their Oaths of Allegiance to the State. As there are limited spaces for these tours, interested participants ought to sign up for a tour slot via out website at www.nationalartgallery.sg/openhouse/reg. Sign up early to avoid disappointment!

Special tours for children will also be available.

Special Façade Light Up

Come nightfall, avid shutterbugs can snap a photo of the specially curated lighting displays featuring more than 50 seminal artworks from the permanent collection of the Gallery. Gaze in awe as masterpieces from leading local and regional artists like Georgette Chen, Liu Kang, Iskandar Jalil, Chen Wen Hsi, Chua Mia Tee, Hendra Gunawan, Le Pho and more are splashed across the façades of both buildings in shimmering splendour. For 4 nights only, come watch the City Hall and former Supreme Court buildings transform into a visual feast right before your eyes! Using creative lighting techniques and light projections, key artworks from the National Collection will be featured on the façades, transforming these iconic buildings into a magical symphony of lights.

“A Photo Journey, Memories of The City Hall and Former Supreme Court”

Want to catch a glimpse into the future? Peer into a crystal ball at the Orientation Space located at the City Hall Law Library. Visitors can travel through time via a comprehensive exhibit of the past, present and future of City Hall and former Supreme Court, and imagine how the future National Art Gallery will look like through a video flythrough and building perspectives.Jointly organized by the Gallery and the Singapore Photographic Society of Singapore ‐ A Photo Journey, Memories of The City Hall and Former Supreme Court ‐ this is the first time a photographic competition is organized for the buildings. Budding photographers are brought into the buildings to explore and document the historical richness of its architecture through their lenses. The judging panel includes prominent members in the local photography scene such as Straits Times photo desk editor, Mike Sargant, and award‐winning celebrity photographer, Dominic Khoo. Winning works will be exhibited at the weekend event and prizes will be presented at the launch event.

Special Asian films screening in City Hall Chamber

Over the two days in October, members of the public can savour a smorgasbord of art and culture, tailored to folks from all walks of life. Curated according to the theme of history, memories and architecture, the National Art Gallery is presenting for the first time, a select series of Asian films in the historic City Hall Chamber on 9 and 10 October, from 7‐9pm nightly.Audiences will be treated to an evening of nostalgia and remembrances, as they are invited on a journey to re‐visit and rediscover old and forgotten spaces and places in Singapore.

Exciting lifestyle events and activities

Feeling peckish? Chill out at the former Law Restaurant area with light snacks and beverages while having your own portrait drawn by an artist from the Organisation of Illustrators Council (OIC). Alternatively, visitors can dine under the stars at the al fresco style snack fair at the Courtyard. Visitors will get to sample the original works of budding local designers, or have their portraits drawn by illustrators from Organisation of Illustrators Council. Popular flea market organizer, FleaFlyFloFun, will also be organizing a special art, design, music and lifestyle themed flea market at this Open House.

Barcamp Conference

It is also geeks galore as Singapore Barcamp goes to the Bar at the former Supreme Court! For the first time, the National Art Gallery will be hosting a Barcamp Singapore Conference in City Hall building from 9 to 10 October. Occupying Courtrooms 15 to 18, this informal gathering of more than 300 people keen in startups, technology, education, media, travel and art will converge over 36 sessions of half hour presentations. Centering on the theme of “Art + Tech”, it promises to be one of the biggest such gathering ever. Interested participants can sign up online at http://www.flickevents.com/e/barcampsg6#details

Children’s corner

Children can look forward to special activity corners, designed for them to learn about the buildings’ history through a series of fun and engaging activities. Families with kids can also bring their little ones to the art activity stations to stimulate those creative juices, participate in story‐telling sessions, create personalized stamps, or embark on a children’ tour of the buildings.

Admission is free to most activities but members of the public are advised to sign up early at http://nationalartgallery.sg/openhouse. The first 500 visitors to walk up the steps of City Hall will receive a free goodie bag each, while an hourly lucky draw with attractive prizes will be held throughout the event.

National Art Gallery Open House
9 and 10 October (Façade Lighting Displays from 7 to 10 October)
11 am to 9 pm daily
City Hall and former Supreme Court Buildings
1 St Andrews Road
www.nationalartgallery.sg/openhouse