SINGAPORE, 15 November 2019: From sketching lessons in Singapore’s last fishing village to musical performances in the back lanes of Muscat Street, or even leaving their mark on a wall mural in Little India, visitors can encountering art in its various forms this November.
Singapore’s key lifestyle and cultural precincts – namely the Civic District/Marina Bay, Chinatown, Little India, Kampong Glam and Katong Joo Chiat – and beyond will host a series of arts and culture events aimed at celebrating Singapore’s unique heritage and culture.
Anchored by the Singapore Biennale 2019, the events will provide casual art appreciators, serious enthusiasts and creators with numerous opportunities to enjoy and make art in new, inspiring ways.
Singapore Tourism Board director, arts and cultural precincts Serene Tan said: “November offers something for everyone… In Singapore, arts and culture are not confined to just galleries and museums – they come alive on our streets as well.”
At Far East Plaza, shoppers may get more than they bargain for with a circus troupe from Cambodia, Phare, set to put up a performance of high-energy acrobatics and hypnotic dance moves at the mall. The act is part of the Singapore Biennale 2019, which returns for its sixth edition this year.
The art-centric programming continues at Kampong Glam, where the back lanes of Muscat Street will transform into an art street with roving artists and performers, bazaar stalls, craft demonstrations and community activities.
Elsewhere, visitors can catch a Chinese Opera performance on a wayang stage reminiscent of the olden days at Chinatown’s inaugural Chinese Opera Festival, or literally leave their mark on a large 2m by 6m painting at Little India’s social painting event, aimed at encouraging greater interaction among visitors and artists.
Those looking to venture further can join six art tours, which will run regularly for eight weekends across the city. For example, participants can learn how to paint from local artist Rico Ngim at his studio in a modern-day kampong or venture.
Other highlighted events
Make your own souvenirs at art workshops
Retailers Naiise and Urban Market Singapore will be organising a series of workshops where participants can create and take home their own Singapore- inspired resin jewellery, clay earrings or watercolour Peranakan tiles, among other crafts.
Lepak in Kampong Glam
Relax, or lepak in Malay, among colourful art installations of hammocks at GlamArt! – ColourPlay in Kampong Glam. The hammocks, which provide visitors with some respite in the day, transform into a fluorescent visual extravaganza at night. Go on a hunt for more standalone lepak installations to discover more about the cultural precinct.
Learn history through murals
Go on a self-guided trail and discover new murals painted specially for the Katong Joo Chiat Art Circuit, with each mural telling a story about the precinct’s history.
Catch live roving performances in Little India
Indian musical performances, both traditional and contemporary, will be roving around Little India as part of the Indian Heritage Centre CultureFest. The Centre has also planned an experiential trail around the precinct focusing on aspects of fashion food, craft and spice, to deepen visitors’ understanding of Little India’s heritage culture.
