Arguably one of the most popular festivals of the highly-anticipated Singapore Art Week, the Civic District lights up with eye-catching installations in the annual Light to Night. This year, it returns with a bang in a hybrid format, with onsite and online events. The current theme “_____-in-Progress” is inspired by current times and explores “the idea of things evolving, growing, and being in flux”.
From 22 January 2021 to 30 January 2021, explore the events in the Civic District, spearheaded by National Gallery Singapore with partners The Art House, Victoria Theatre and Victoria Concert Hall, and the Asian Civilisations Museum.
Let’s take a walk around the District, and admire the Instagrammable installations lining the streets and museums!
National Gallery
Arrive, Arrive
First up, we have the Arrive, Arrive exhibit, a series of “painterly objects” that are suspended at the Padang Atrium in the National Gallery. Its aim is to take the experience of looking at paintings out of the gallery and into a public space. These objects catch the natural skylight filtered from the Gallery’s glass ceiling, and the hues and tones shift as you walk around the atrium. In my opinion, it’s a great welcome exhibit that sets the tone for the upcoming ones.
Opening hours: 22 January to 31 January 10am-7pm (Monday-Thursday)
10am-10pm (Friday to Sunday)
1 February to 28 February 10am-7pm
Address: National Gallery Singapore, Padang Atrium
Art Skins on Monuments: (Re)rooting
The awe-inspiring visions and pixel landscapes of Singapore’s past and present are projected onto the facade of the Gallery, and what makes this highlight even better is the fact that the Gallery’s steps are lighted up in various colours. These images include artworks from the National Gallery collection, photographs from the Rotunda Library and archive, and pictures of present-day Singapore. If you’re passing by, feel free to ask the friendly staff to help you take a pretty picture!
Opening hours: 22 January to 31 January 7.30pm-12am
Address: National Gallery Singapore, City Hall Wing & Supreme Court Wing
Art Skins on Monuments: I’m All Hands All Eyes
This 3-minute light show has got to be one of the standout light installations of the entire Light to Night festival. The story behind this light show is interesting too: focusing on the hands and eyes, two very instrumental tools of communication. Although a library is quiet and still, a person’s hands and eyes are always moving when gathering information.
Take note that you might have to queue up for a few minutes due to the small capacity of the Library, and stand at a pillar per person for social distancing.
Opening hours: 22 January to 31 January 5.30pm-7pm (Monday-Thursday)
5.30pm-10pm (Friday & Saturday)
Address: National Gallery Singapore, Supreme Court Wing, Level 3, Rotunda Library & Archive
Special Mention: Kolektif's Events
The Unessential Zine Workshop
My friend and I took a detour in between admiring the light shows and exhibitions to make our very own zine at Kolektif’s zine-making station in the Gallery. The table was stocked with craft materials and local zines which could be used to make a zine from scratch at the festival.
Kolektif has other stations in the Gallery which include Blind Frenship Dates (which encourages you to make a friend in an hour while doing artsy activities together); and the spacebar (a communal space where you sit, reflect, and take a breather during the festival). Take note that registration is needed for some activities.
Opening hours: 22 January to 23 January 5pm-10pm
29 January to 30 January 5pm-10pm
Address: National Gallery Singapore, City Hall Wing, Level 2, Singapore Courtyard
The Inconvenient Tour
A curated crossover between the environment and art, The Inconvenient Tour encourages stimulating discussions about how Southeast Asian art connects with the natural world. This tour takes place on 22, 23, 29, and 30 January 2021 at hourly intervals, starting from 6pm to 10pm. Sign up here if you wish to participate! Hurry now, there are limited spots so do be sure to secure them early!
Opening hours: 22 January to 23 January 6pm-10pm
29 January to 30 January 6pm-10pm
Address: National Gallery Singapore, City Hall Wing, Level 2, Singapore Courtyard
Asian Civilisations Museum
Ways of Seeing
When you peer through this eye-catching giant telescope-like structure and take in your surroundings, do remember that you’re viewing them from a new perspective. This exhibition takes on another layer of meaning due to the pandemic, reminding the viewers to metaphorically view, observe, and savour experiences from afar.
Opening hours: 22 January to 31 January 10am-12am
Address: Asian Civilisations Museum Green
Art Skins on Monuments: Generations
This light show plays on two meanings of the word “generation”, one meaning creation and birth; and the other meaning a group of people from a period of time with a collective experience. While creating, one should note the exchange of shared experiences and histories is crucial, and when you weave the cultures from past ages together, it creates a new tapestry in the present.
Opening hours: 22 January to 31 January 7.30pm-12am
Address: Asian Civilisations Museum
The Arts House
Art Skins on Monuments: Passages
With such unprecedented times, we’re all well-aware that the road ahead is neither clear nor straight, filled with unknown obstacles and uncharted paths. When you view this exhibition, I hope it inspires you to embark on new passages and explore new routes on your uncertain journey. Staying stationary is definitely not an option in these unprecedented times.
Opening hours: 22 January to 31 January 7.30pm-12am
Address: The Arts House
open books: I Want To Go Home
On the front porch of The Art House, you will find an experiential art installation, inspired by Wesley Leon Aroozoo’s I Want to Go Home story. The immersive, multi-sensory installation encourages its participants to encounter the strength of a man’s love and resilience to be reunited with his loved one. Multidisciplinary artists bring the literary work to life, conveying the importance of love, hope, and determination. These values will help us overcome times of crisis.
Opening hours: 22 January to 28 February 10am-10pm
Address: The Arts House Front Porch
Victoria Theatre & Concert Hall
Art Skins on Monuments: Absence of Presence
The name of this light show, Absence of Presence, draws on the new reality that all of us had to adjust to thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. The artworks show how we adapted to the new normal: increased isolation and distance from our friends and loved ones. And yet we must also remember that interaction and integration are still important for us to get through these challenging times.
Opening hours: 22 January to 31 January 7.30pm-12am
Address: Victoria Theatre & Concert Hall
