Singapore Night Festival, Singapore Writers Festival, Singapore Art Week…
Good news for fellow festival goers: this month, you won’t want to miss out i Light Marina Bay! It is a light art festival which features 25 light art installations by local and international creative talents. Did I say where? As obvious as it can be, you say.
But, wait. Yes, we all recognise the iconic Marina Bay Sands building, the unique architecture of the ArtScience Museum, the Fullerton Hotel and the list goes on. How about the waterfront promenade or the promontory? Most of the installations can be seen there. Grab a copy of the festival map and you are ready to set off. Take this opportunity to explore and have a deeper understanding of what else the bay area has to offer! However, don’t forget to stroll along the Fullerton Heritage precinct too. Otherwise, you might miss installation #16! The glowing bamboo lattice by MisoSoupDesign (a Taipei-based design studio) is indeed a perfect addition to it’s surrounding ambience.
Location: Clifford Square
Image courtesy of i Light Marina Bay 2016
As you continue your stroll, you will find installations which are either statement-making, beautiful, or meaningful. And some installations can trigger emotions by making connections with the physical surrounding space. Hafiz Osman’s Cycle House (installation #1) did just that. The colourful retro cycle houses rekindle the memory of the trishaws in the olden days of Singapore. It is just a warm fuzzy feeling to see and hear passer-bys singing oldies (generously) from the in-built KTV system.
Location: Lower boardwalk, near Bayfront South Jetty Image courtesy of i Light Marina Bay 2016
Another installation which draws a connection with the past and present is installation #23, SONICtower by Zulkifle Mahmod. Given it’s height, it is really hard to miss this. Comprising of a total of 320 solenoids and LED lights, the scaffolds create an instant juxtaposition with the skyscrappers in the background. The rhythmic sound of clinks and clanks invites you to reflect upon the behind-the-scenes of yester-years and the success of the city we see today. If you like Mahmod’s work, you can see more of it at the Singapore Art Museum where he has another work on display as part of the Five Star exhibition that is on there.
Location: The Float @ Marina Bay
Image courtesy of i Light Marina Bay 2016
This light art festival really re-defines the museum-going experience. So far, it feels like visiting a museum, albeit an outdoor one. One of my favourite piece is literally on the exterior of a museum! Installation #25, What a Loving & Beautiful World, is a virtual world projected on the façade of ArtScience Museum. To enter this fantasy world, you don’t buy entry tickets but you can simply swipe chinese characters outwards from your handphone. Log in to ilight.team-lab.com, and you will see this page below. Choose any character and swipe it outwards facing the lotus exterior. I promise you will love what you see next. Together with the melodious background instrumental music, lightning and thunder sounds, teamLab from Japan conjures a romantic world which can only be admired from far.
Location: ArtScience Museum
Image courtesy of i Light Marina Bay 2016
Having said so, my number 1 favourite still has to be installation #14. It was love at first sight with the time-lapse light display depicting the sun set and sun rise. As the tiny red light spots slowly move up and down, it truly captures the essence of the natural phenomenon… and my heart as well.
Location: Marina Bay waterfront promenade
Image courtesy of i Light Marina Bay 2016
The i Light Marina Bay is on till 27 March 2016. Here are some upcoming events you can look forward to over the next 2 weekends:
What: Stargazing at Marina Bay
When: Saturday, 12 and 26 March 8 PM – 10 PM
Where: The Promontory @ Marina Bay
What: Our Guiding Light – A Tribute to Lee Kuan Yew
When: 23 March, Wednesday
Where: Event Square (beside Marina Bay Sands)
What: Yoglo (glow yoga party on the floating platform)
When: 26 March, Saturday
Where: The Float @ Marina Bay
What: MegaFash Art Market
When: 12-13, 19-20, 26-27 March (Saturdays and Sundays), 7.30 PM – 11.00 PM
Where: The Float @ Marina Bay (under the Seating Gallery)
What: i Light Night Skating
When: 26 March, Saturday, 5 PM – 10 PM
Where: The Float @ Marina Bay
More for more information on:
Installations: http://www.ilightmarinabay.sg/Discover/Installations
Sign up for the activities: http://www.ilightmarinabay.sg/Discover/Festival
Photographs: https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/ilightmarinabay/
(Remember to hashtag #ilightmarinabay to share your photos)
Sharon is drawn to museums…from Disney to The Little Prince to ramen exhibitions, she simply enjoys staring and standing in front of exhibits; allowing her thoughts to wander occasionally. In an alternate universe, she imagines herself drawing and drumming. Meanwhile, she travels with a pen and notebook, as well as a missing DSLR.
