Hi Huneybees,
Come out this weekend and enjoy some fun arts and activities! From 19 to 27 August 2022, Singapore Night Festival (SNF) returns for its 13th edition after a 2 years hiatus. Themed Rebirth, there will be over 55 vibrant and eclectic experiences that will illuminate the lesser-known stories in the heart of Singapore’s multi-dimensional arts and heritage precinct.
This year’s festival will zoom in on the Bras Basah.Bugis (BBB) precinct’s heritage and stories with a greater focus on programs and artworks by local artists, including 6 projection mapping installations, 15 Night Lights installations, 5 performance locations, 5 experiential programs, and a Festival Village abuzz with an array of music performances, food, and beverage experiences.
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Cathay Hotel: The Curse of the Missing Red Shoe by Vertical Submarine |
The headliner this year would be an immersive theatre performance Cathay Hotel: The Curse of the
Missing Red Shoe by local art collective Vertical Submarine. Situated at the Cathay Green opposite the Cathay Building, the act opens with the story of a mysterious curse from more than 60 years ago that led to the separation of two lovers.
In this gripping anti-fairytale adventure, iconic Cathay characters such as Mat Bond, Pontianak, and Mambo Girl are brought back to life in a surreal version of old Singapore. With the freedom to author their own adventures. Expect an intimate encounter with the nostalgic cinematic landscape of Singapore’s post-war era as you revisit the origins of these bygone film characters, solving a mystery set in the grandeur of a large-scale recreation of the Cathay Hotel.
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Stories from Forbidden Hill by Maxin10sity |
Projection mapping installations
SNF’s popular projection mapping installations return with 6 works illuminating iconic buildings in the city.
1) Stories from Forbidden Hill - Rediscover Singapore’s mythical origins at the National Museum of Singapore with Stories dating back to the 14th century from Forbidden Hill by Maxin10sity.
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Midnight Show at the Capitol by MOJOKO |
2) Midnight Show at the Capitol - Head to the National Archives of Singapore for a colourful throwback to the cinema of times, which revisits the classic movie posters that used to adorn the walls of Capitol Theatre and Cathay Picture House, created by MOJOKO.
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Glitches of You by Amanda Tan |
3) Glitches of You - The Stamford Court clock tower will light up with artist Amanda Tan’s exploration of multicultural, modern identity in a dance of glitch art and fractured pixels. Amanda is part of the first group of artists who participated in the masterclass workshops and is presenting a projection mapping installation for the first time.
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The Melting Pot by Adeline Tan & Benedict Teo |
4) The Melting Pot - A kaleidoscopic ode to Singapore’s multicultural communities, co-created by illustrator and visual artist, Adeline Tan, and award-winning DJ, Benedict Teo.
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Madeleine by Lueur |
5) Madeleine, a pop art style piece by Lueur, a collective of five students from the School of Film & Media Studies at Ngee Ann Polytechnic, which takes audiences on a journey through the stories of the BBB district.
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Through Worlds by Jo Ho & Intriguant |
6) Through Worlds - Jo Ho and Intriguant blends audio and visual mediums, lighting up the facade of CHIJMES Hall, showcasing an imaginative world of endless possibilities. You can immerse in multiple perspectives within the history and hypothetical, imagined future of CHIJMES and its surroundings.
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#SGNIGHTFEST by Pan-United |
Night Lights installations
In response to SNF 2022’s theme Rebirth, the 15 installations will shine a light on the precinct’s rich history and heritage, prompting audiences to reflect upon poignant themes relevant to modern-day issues.
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We can no longer be strangers by Perception3 |
The over 7-metres long, #SGNIGHTFEST art installation at National Museum, comprises 3D-printed concrete letters specially created by homegrown concrete company Pan-United. Made with sustainable low-carbon recycled raw materials, each giant letter stacks up to 18 layers of concrete weighing at least 60 kg.
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Steps by Victoria Hertel |
Also, Victoria Hertel will illuminate the museum’s staircase in a welcoming white glow which will transform when festival-goers interact with the space through a motion-responsive installation (Steps) that triggers vibrant colour changes. We can no longer be strangers after this by Perception3, located outside the museum, highlights the shifts and changes in the post-pandemic experience.
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Fēcundus by Twardzik Ching Chor Leng |
On SMU Green, Fēcundus by Twardzik Ching Chor Leng creates a playground of larger-than-life inflatable structures for visitors to come together to build a rice plant or construct their own creations.
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Celebration of Life+Style by Justin Lee |
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City of Books by Fish Jaafar |
Celebration of Life+Style by Justin Lee, situated at the Stamford Arts Centre, is a tongue-in-cheek
juxtaposition of traditional Eastern characters with modern elements calling into question the impact of technology on our daily lives. City of Books, a large-scale anamorphic pavement mural by Fish Jaafar, sheds light on the decline of print media.
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obyato bird pitstop by tobyato |
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Tunnel Graffiti by Lynette Quek |
The festival also expands to Fort Canning Park this year, showcasing works that festival-goers can enjoy at any time of the day. tobyato bird pitstop by tobyato is an artistic nod to Singapore’s rich bird biodiversity, inspired by the William Farquhar Collection of Natural History Drawings, inviting festival-goers to rediscover the well-trodden park by night. On the paths, you can also find interactive Tunnel Graffiti by local audio-visual maker Lynette Quek. Graffitti "drawings" will line the walls of tunnels, which can be activated by sounds made by you.
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Under My Tree Roof by Chloë Manasseh |
Under My Tree Roof is artist Chloë Manasseh’s first voyage into translating her artwork into a digital print displayed on the iconic Fort Canning Spiral Stairway is a stunning mural featuring local colourful botanical forms such as wild spice flowers, heritage trees, and native birds.
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ALIMPSEST by William Chan & Brandon Taym |
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TERRARIUM by AUX Media Group |
Over at Armenian Street, ALIMPSEST by William Chan and Brandon Taym is a poetic expression of the artists’ contemporary take on the history and evolution of the now pedestrianized street, through digital images, text and sound. TERRARIUM dreamt up by AUX Media Group at National Design Center imagines a hybridized reality that ponders future possibilities for nature and how technology could blur the lines between what’s living and what’s truly alive.
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NOCTURNE: Conversations with Waterloo by Nhawfal Juma'at |
At Waterloo Complex, visual artist Nhawfal Juma'at will present two sculptures (NOCTURNE: Conversations with Waterloo) that are a play on humankind’s intrinsic nature to create and engage in conversation, inspired by his personal observations of people talking, conversing, and laughing in the same space.
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Paddy Fields by FARM |
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An Ocean Without The Anchor by Speak Cryptic |
Then there's Paddy Fields by FARM, inspired by rice cultivators along Sungei Brass Brassa. An Ocean Without The Anchor by Speak Cryptic pays homage to the Bugis people and their history as seafarers. The inescapable nine-meter-tall installation will stand at the entrance of Raffles City, taking inspiration from the lighthouse as a symbol of navigation through both life and water.
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Latent (BBB Edition) by Chok Si Xuan |
Latent (BBB Edition) by Chok Si Xuan highlights the potential and energy of the precinct, the poetic movements of the mechanical flowers bring life and rhythm to the seemingly solemn location. The work reflects upon the qualities of patience and resilience rooted in the history of the Armenian Church.
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Armenian Street Party (Azpirasi) |
Festival Performance
Festival-goers can also look forward to an exciting line-up of performances at 5 different locations across both weekends during the festival, which celebrate the diverse and vibrant performing arts scene in the precinct.
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Yesterday Once More: Queen Street (Inch Chua, CJ Bubble Girl, Euphoria Pole by Aerial Studio) |
Yesterday Once More: Queen Street - Inch Chua and Tim De Cotta will dive deep into the history of the precinct, spotlighting personal stories from people who lived on the street from the 1880s to the present day through a roving audio theatre performance accompanied by original music by Tim De Cotta.
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Armenian Street Party (Bhaskar's Arts Academy) |
Armenian Street Party will feature a special catwalk stage with BBB’s very own artists and arts
groups taking the limelight, including Bhaskar's Arts Academy, The A Cappella Society,
Traditional Arts Centre Ltd, OM The Arts Centre, and SMU Voix. Or get your groove on in Groovy Town @ SMU with our made-in-Singapore artists while the night is still young! Find your rhythm with SMU SoundFoundry, SMU Stereometa, SMU Voix, Yongkytown and Jeyme, and catch circus artist Jonathan Goh risk it all while grooving to music.
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Discoloo Centre (P7:1SMA)
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At Waterloo Centre, P7:1SMA’s roving act Discoloo Centre will relive the precinct’s past nightlife paired with historical anecdotes of disco fever. Music-lovers can also swing over to Jazz’in @ Capitol
Singapore at Capitol Singapore’s Outdoor Plaza for smooth jazz tunes from home-grown artists such as Amanda Lee Swingtet and The Rhythmakers.
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Jazz'in @Capitol Singapore (Litmus Jazz Ensemble) |
Lesser-known stories of BBB with Experiential Programmes
Discover Singapore’s heritage by night with immersive tours that unveil BBB’s unique and colourful history through intimate stories told by its inhabitants.
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Explore SG Night Fest with Trishaw Uncle |
Sit back and see the precinct through a trishaw rider’s eyes with Explore SG Night Fest with Trishaw Uncle, or discover the architecture of Bras Basah and the stories these buildings hold on guided tour After Hours@My Bras Basah with May Hui. Get competitive in a self-guided race down memory lane with Heat Of The Night, and solve clues and discover stories of BBB for a chance to win attractive prizes including dining vouchers and a staycation at The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore.
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BBBooze O’Clock powered by Sui Gin |
Those hungry for more can eat their way through the BBB district's rich history with the SG Night Fest Food Tour or sample a taste of the precinct’s bustling nightlife with BBBooze O’Clock powered by Sui Gin.
Delight in the magic of the night At Festival Village
Topping off the night, Dhoby Ghaut Green will transform into an enchanting Festival Village featuring an array of performances, live DJ acts, game stations, and specially curated food and beverage experiences.
You can groove to the beat at the urban park with five days of music programming featuring acts by local artists such as cover band Cosmic Alley and singers Hashy Yusof and Marian Carmel, covering a variety of genres from urban beats and R&B, to pop covers and electronic music. You can also replenish
your energy with delectable offerings from Fooditude, The Swag Social, and Sofnade!
SNF 2022 runs from 19 to 27 August 2022. While entry to the festival is free, some
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