Latest news with #AsianCivilisationsMuseum
Listly
15-07-2025
- Listly
How to Discover Singapore's Stories: A Journey Through Its Museums and Cultural Sites
REPORT Listly by Joanna James Singapore, the Lion City, is a country that is a top contender on the bucket lists of many travellers worldwide. Whether it is because of the pristine streets, the modern skyline, the iconic landmarks or a mix of everything, many travellers seem not to get enough of Singapore. The rich culture, passed down for many generations, as well as ancient history, is evident despite the country's modern aesthetic. The Lion City offers visitors a chance to explore a wealth of museums and cultural landmarks that tell the stories of its past and present. Whether you're a lover of history, an art enthusiast, or a traveller exploring their surroundings, discovering Singapore's museums and cultural sites is an essential part of experiencing the city. This guide will help direct you to the best places that are worth checking out on your next visit to Singapore. National Museum of Singapore: A Gateway to the Past The National Museum of Singapore is, in fact, the oldest museum in the city and truly is a treasure chest of the country's rich history and culture. Even the building that the museum is housed in is quite an elegant colonial-era structure, and it invites visitors to embark on a journey through time. Exhibitions are usually of the interactive variety and are pretty engaging. Highlights include the interesting 'Singapore History Gallery,' which uses cutting-edge technology to bring historic moments to life, and the 'Life in Singapore: The Past 100 Years' exhibition, which reveals personal narratives of everyday Singaporeans. Asian Civilisations Museum: Discover Pan-Asian Heritage For those interested in a broader cultural perspective, the Asian Civilisations Museum offers a fascinating look into the diverse cultures of Asia. Situated along the scenic Singapore River, the museum's collection features artefacts from Chinese, South Asian, Southeast Asian, and Islamic backgrounds. Singapore Art Museum: Contemporary Creativity Lovers of Art and creativity in general should not miss the Singapore Art Museum (SAM), which is located in a beautifully restored heritage building. SAM specialises in contemporary art from the local Singaporean populace as well as Southeast Asian pieces, showcasing works which both challenge and inspire visitors. Exhibits often show off current issues of society, like pressing social concerns, identity of one's own, and the environment, providing a thoughtful outlook to the city's historical museums. The museum's location makes it a short trip from lyf Bugis Singapore, which is a chic living space mixed in with everyday life. Peranakan Museum: Exploring Unique Cultural Identity The Peranakan Museum offers an interesting look into the heritage of the Peranakans, descendants of Chinese immigrants who settled in the Malay Archipelago. Situated in Chinatown, the museum presents beautifully designed costumes, jewellery, and household items that reflect this fascinating blend of traditions. Its exhibits allow visitors to appreciate the artistry and history of the Straits Chinese community in Singapore. Singapore Botanic Gardens: A Change of Scenery If you are looking for a place filled with nature, greenery and a change of pace, the Botanic Gardens of Singapore is a great spot to visit. While it is not the typical cultural or museum on your list, the Gargens have much to offer. The Gardens are a UNESCO heritage site and provide a peaceful escape from the city's busy life. This is also the oldest garden space in Singapore. For someone lodged at a hotel in Bugis, Singapore, the Gardens are just a hop, skip and a jump away. ArtScience Museum: Innovation Meets Creativity At Marina Bay Sands, the ArtScience Museum offers a fresh outlook on the controlled mixture of art, science, and technology. It's shaped like a lotus, and the structure is iconic. The exhibitions it hosts are usually quite captivating as well. From showcasing digital art to other interactive pieces dedicated to space and nature, the museum invites visitors to experience creativity through a scientific lens. Final Thoughts Exploring Singapore's museums and cultural locations are quite rewarding and offers a rich way to understand this dynamic city-state. From historical narrations at the National Museum of Singapore to contemporary creativity at the Singapore Art Museum, as well as the cultural treasures of the Peranakan Museum to the modern exhibitions at the ArtScience Museum, there is something to captivate every traveller.
Business Times
29-06-2025
- Business
- Business Times
UOB unveils world's tallest, brightest and longest projection canvas
[SINGAPORE] UOB lit up the 280 m-tall facade of its Plaza 1 building at Raffles Place on Friday (Jun 27) with a series of images to mark the bank's 90th anniversary this year and Singapore's 60th year of independence (SG60). The projections showcase UOB's past and future, as well as its Painting of the Year winning artworks and various SG60-themed visuals. The light show – which covers about 250 million pixels and produces 5.85 million lumens – bagged a total of three Guinness World Records titles, for the world's tallest, brightest and longest projection mapping canvas. The three records are: the largest light output in a projected image; the longest architectural projection-mapped display (temporary); and the highest projection image on a building. The six-minute show, called Unity, runs nightly until National Day on Aug 9, except for Sundays. It is presented in collaboration with multimedia integrator Hexogon Solution. Led by creative director Benjamin Tan, the show has three acts – time, transformation and tomorrow – that celebrate the 'spirit of innovation and change at UOB that has shaped the bank's past and present as it looks towards the future', said UOB in a news release. UOB organised an event at the Asian Civilisations Museum on Friday to celebrate the launch of the show. Deputy chairman and chief executive officer Wee Ee Cheong was in attendance, as well as members of the senior management team. Janet Young, the head of group channels and digitalisation, strategic communications and brand, said: 'This year marks a significant milestone as UOB turns 90 and Singapore celebrates its 60th birthday. Our growth story is closely tied with Singapore's growth story, and we are deeply grateful for the continuous support from our community, who have grown and journeyed with us across generations and regions.' The Unity show will be held twice nightly from Mondays to Thursdays at 9 pm and 9.40 pm, and thrice on Fridays and Saturdays at 9 pm, 9.40 pm and 10.20 pm.
Straits Times
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Arts Picks: SCO's celebration of Lim Tze Peng, ACM's music weekend, street art at Tang Contemporary
Quek Ling Kiong, principal conductor of the Singapore Chinese Orchestra, will conduct Symphony Of Ink. PHOTO: SINGAPORE CHINESE ORCHESTRA Symphony Of Ink The Singapore Chinese Orchestra (SCO) is paying tribute to artist Lim Tze Peng, who died in February aged 103. Symphony Of Ink comprises four chapters, each of which delves into Lim's life, works and legacy. Simon Kong Su Leong's Izpirazione II and Sulwyn Lok's The Cry Of Solo River in the first chapter, for example, reflect the South-east Asian strand in his works, while in the second chapter, Eric Watson's The Ceilidh explores his family ties and his love for his wife. Chapter 3 juxtaposes his works against musical pieces, including Liong Kit Yeng's Kreta Ayer and Law Wai Lun's River Of Life. The conclusion features two world premieres – Wang Chenwei's Symphony Of Ink and Luo Maishuo's Spirit Of Ink. These works will seek to translate Lim's painting aesthetic into music. This concert is the second of the SCO's Cultural Titan series, a collaboration with the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre which celebrates Cultural Medallion recipients. Where: Singapore Conference Hall, 7 Shenton Way MRT: Shenton Way When: June 7, 7.30pm Admission: $20 to $80 Info: Crossing Cultures At ACM: Listening Pleasures Indie band Space Walk will perform at the Asian Civilisations Museum. PHOTO: SPACE WALK The Asian Civilisations Museum is organising a series of cross-cultural music exchanges for the weekend of June 13 to 15. What is different about this programme is the opportunity to listen to music inside the galleries. The inspiration is the museum's revamped Scholars Gallery featuring the qin, a traditional Chinese instrument. The weekend will kick off on June 13 with a Secret Gig somewhere in the museum building. If you prefer to know what you are getting into, Eight Tones Music will perform in the Scholars Gallery on June 14 and 15. More adventurous music fans should look out for indie band Space Walk's reinterpretation of classic Nusantara tunes on June 14. Carnatic singer Sushma Soma – fresh off her Singapore International Festival of Arts gig at Stray Gods – will perform her original music influenced by her Carnatic training on June 15. Singer Sushma Soma will perform her music at the Asian Civilisations Museum. PHOTO: NATIONAL ARTS COUNCIL Admission fees to the museum apply for the indoor shows. Alternatively, there are also a couple of Japanese city-pop-themed gigs at the ACM Green, so pack a picnic basket and chill out to the free music. Where: Asian Civilisations Museum, 1 Empress Place MRT: Raffles Place When: June 13 to 15, various times Admission: Free and ticketed Info: Nothing Is Minor: Visual Records Of Feeling, Repetition, And Restlessness Thai artist Benzilla's kawaii character Loook frolics through flower-strewn landscapes. PHOTO: BENZILLA Pop and street art fans will enjoy Tang Contemporary Art's new show. It pairs Thai artist Benzilla with Spanish artist Imon Boy. Both artists are influenced, quite evidently, by Japanese pop culture and American street art. Benzilla's kawaii character Loook , an alien with three eyes, frolics through flower-strewn landscapes that recall Japanese artist Takashi Murakami' s graphic florals, although with a more restrained palette . Imon Boy is Spain's own Banksy, who has remained studiously anonymous while making a name for himself as a mural artist. His pieces are more meditative and nostalgic, harking back to simpler times in works such as I Miss My Pre-Internet Brain and It's Still 9 O'Clock. It's Still 9 O'Clock by Spanish artist Imon Boy, who has remained anonymous while building a reputation as a mural artist. PHOTO: IMON BOY Both artists' works exude an almost defiantly, playfully childish vibe despite the very long and rather pretentious show title. Where: Tang Contemporary Art, 06-01/02 Delfi Orchard, 402 Orchard Road MRT: Orchard When: June 5 to July 12 (Tuesdays to Saturdays), 11am to 7pm; closed on public holidays Admission: Free Info: Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Where to go with kids: June school holiday ideas, from new play spaces to museums
(Clockwise from top left) Assemble creatures using acrylic pieces, get up close with popular characters Miffy and Boris, go on an Airbag Donut Slide and take part in interactive musical Adventures With Andi. PHOTOS: CHANGI AIRPORT GROUP, DERIC TAN, LIANHE ZAOBAO, SUPERPARK SINGAPORE SINGAPORE – Who says the Asian Civilisations Museum is too serious for pre-schoolers? It has launched a welcoming and fun space for them, just in time for the June school holidays. And if your older kids have been badgering you to buy a video game console, you may find a middle ground at Gamer's Guild at Bugis+ mall. Take them to the new console e-sports centre, which is equipped with 50 Nintendo Switch and Sony PlayStation 5 units, and a library of 300 game titles. Regardless of your children's interests, you can find a variety of activities for the family to enjoy quality time together. Here are nine places to consider this mid-year school break. Asian Civilisations Museum's family-friendly space The Fantastic Creatures activity allows kids to assemble imaginative animals with colourful acrylic shapes on an overhead projector. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO Let your kids loose at the Asian Civilisations Museum's (ACM) new family-friendly space ACM & Me on the ground floor. Inspired by the museum's collection of artefacts , the area offers interactive activities such as Fantastic Creatures, which highlights five popular mythical creatures in Asian culture and their symbolic meanings. Your children are encouraged to find depictions of these creatures within the museum. For example, a Makara ornament – a water creature often portrayed with an elephant's trunk, a crocodile's body and a fish's tail – can be found in the Ancestors and Rituals gallery on level 2. This creature is believed to be a guardian of rivers and seas. But it may be hard to get your children to leave ACM & Me and explore the rest of the museum. Here, they can assemble imaginative creatures with colourful acrylic shapes. These creations can then be showcased on a screen using overhead projectors, commonly used in schools in the 1970s to 1990s. Another fun experience is the Everyday Stories station, where children can learn an early animation technique. Silicone mats with illustrations – inspired by a circa 1785 Hong bowl in the museum's Maritime Trade gallery – create a moving illusion when spun. Children will be captivated as scenes on the mats seemingly come alive when placed on a spinner. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO These mats depict scenes from the bowl, which you should take your kids to marvel at. The giant porcelain bowl measures 26cm in diameter and stands 15cm tall. Where: Asian Civilisations Museum, 1 Empress Place When: Saturdays to Thursdays, 10am to 7pm; Fridays, 10am to 9pm. ACM & Me is closed for cleaning from 12.30 to 2pm daily Admission: Free for Singaporeans and permanent residents; $15 for foreigners from June 2 Info: Children's Season at the National Museum Sit around at this 'HDB void deck' at the National Museum and play old-school games with your kids. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO A ' mamak shop' has opened at the National Museum of Singapore, but you will not be able to buy snacks and drinks there. It serves as the backdrop of intergenerational artworks by pre-schoolers from My First Skool and seniors from St Luke's Eldercare, who share their memories about the provision shops. The showcase and a short film about the cultural significance of mamak shops are presented as part of Children's Season at the museum in collaboration with children's arts centre The Artground. And what is a mamak shop without an HDB void deck? The reimagined space allows families to sit around and play old-school games such as five stones and pick-up sticks. Complementing the SG60 commemorative exhibition Once Upon A Tide, this edition of Children's Season also explores the impact of early and present-day migrants in shaping Singapore. Kids can show their gratitude to migrant workers by creating thank-you cards, which will be distributed to them through social enterprise Migrant & Me's network after the exhibition. On weekends, your kids can interact with three actors – playing a samsui woman, rickshaw puller and iced-water seller – as they share stories on migration and life in early Singapore. Where: National Museum of Singapore, 93 Stamford Road When: Until June 29, 10am to 6pm daily; selected programmes run on weekends only Admission: Free and ticketed programmes Info: Gamer's Guild Gamer's Guild, billed as Singapore's largest console e-sports store, has 50 Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5 units. PHOTO: EVO AMUSEMENT Not ready to buy a video game console for your kids, despite them being on their best behaviour? Consider taking them to a gaming centre such as Gamer's Guild, which opened at Bugis+ mall on May 30. Billed as Singapore's largest console e-sports store, it offers 50 Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5 units. Your kids can also experience realistic racing in a dedicated simulator room equipped with a racing wheel and reclining seat. The space offers nine private rooms and two live-streaming VIP rooms as well. Experience realistic racing in a dedicated simulator room equipped with a racing wheel and reclining seat. PHOTO: EVO AMUSEMENT Even for gamers who already have their set-up at home, the centre's growing library of 300 titles means they can try out the games before purchasing. Gamer's Guild is run by entertainment company Evo Amusement, which brought in the popular Pokemon Ga-Ole arcade game. Children can enjoy a variety of games that also offer opportunities for parents to connect with them through friendly competition or teamwork. Kids who are nine years old and younger must be accompanied by an adult, while those aged 10 and above can play independently. Where: 05-05 Bugis+, 201 Victoria Street When: 11am to 9pm daily Admission: As part of an opening promotion, members receive one hour of free play each day. The regular hourly fee is $10. Membership is free Info: Revamped SuperPark Singapore SuperPark Singapore's play activities are designed for both children and adults. PHOTO: SUPERPARK SINGAPORE SuperPark Singapore now features 34 activities, with 13 new additions designed for both children and adults to bounce, climb and slide to their hearts' content. The double-storey indoor activity park's entrance has also been relocated from level 2 to 1, following a two-month renovation. Among the new experiences is Airbag Donut Slide in the Adventure Area play zone. Riders between 30 and 120kg can hop on a round float and enjoy a soft yet thrilling descent. Experience an adrenaline rush on the new Airbag Donut Slide. PHOTO: SUPERPARK SINGAPORE At the Freestyle Hall, check out Basketball Jump, which allows you to bounce on a trampoline and use the extra height to execute dunks and shots. Over at the Game Arena, compete against others on SuperRun interactive treadmills in races from 100m to 5km, or enjoy a leisurely run through a virtual park. SuperPark originated in Finland in 2012 and its Singapore outpost opened in 2018. After its recent makeover, the park has eight party rooms and its first on-site cafe Super Recharge, which serves hot dogs, pizzas and slushies. Where: SuperPark Singapore, 01-488 Suntec City Tower 2, 3 Temasek Boulevard When: 9am to 9pm daily during school and public holidays. For opening hours outside of these periods, refer to its website Admission: From $25.90 for non-members who are at least 1m tall, half-price for kids under 1m, free for infants below age one Info: Miffy's birthday celebration at Changi Airport Miffy and Boris Bear invite your family to a beach-themed birthday celebration at Changi Airport Terminal 3. PHOTO: CHANGI AIRPORT GROUP Miffy's 70th birthday celebration continues at Changi Airport Terminal 3 (T3), culminating in a party on her actual birthday on June 21. The event will feature a cake-cutting ceremony and dance by the beloved bunny character and her friend Boris Bear. The bunny's birthday celebration at T3, which began in March with a garden theme, has been updated to a beach party theme from May 30, featuring new photo spots and play zones. You and your kids can now hop on to Miffy's Beach Party Bounce, an inflatable playground with 2m-tall slides that plunge into a giant ball pit and swings . Miffy's Beach Party Bounce features 2m-tall slides that plunge into a giant ball pit and swings. PHOTO: CHANGI AIRPORT GROUP Spend at least $50 in a receipt at participating outlets in the public areas of Terminals 1 to 4, or $80 for supermarket purchases, to get 30-minute play passes at $5 each and buy a celebration pass to attend the birthday bash on June 21. Each celebration pass costs $14.90 and includes a n instant photo print with Miffy and Boris, a slice of cake and a goodie bag with more than $65 worth of Miffy merchandise. Cannot make it to the party? Catch the duo's free shows on June 7, 14 and 28, at 2 and 5pm , at T3 basement 2's St3ps. Created in 1955 by Dutch artist and author Dick Bruna, Miffy is the star of a series of picture books which have reportedly sold more than 85 million copies and been translated into more than 50 languages. Where: Changi Airport Terminal 3, 65 Airport Boulevard When: Until July 13, various timings Admission: Free; separate charges and redemptions apply for selected activities Info: U-Camp holiday workshops Enrol your kids in workshops at UOL Malls for the special price of $10 or $20. Options include muay thai classes at Fight Zone at Velocity. PHOTO: FIGHT ZONE/VELOCITY Enrol your children in a diverse range of school holiday workshops at special prices. UOL Malls – comprising Kinex, United Square and Velocity@Novena Square – have teamed up with their tenants to run U-Camp holiday workshops, offering more than 20 experiences for toddlers to teenagers. Redeem two workshop passes when you spend at least $60 at the malls, then pay a separate fee directly to each enrichment provider. Up to 80 per cent of the trial classes are priced at $10 a person a session while others cost $20. At Kinex, for instance, your children can paint sneakers at MurcyArt Gallery and design games at The Lab. Over at United Square, they can join a Brazilian jiu-jitsu class at The Gentle Art Academy or basketball clinic at KOTC Basketball. At Velocity, your kids can experience muay thai at Fight Zone or pick up a new sport with Pickleball Academy. Where: Kinex, 11 Tanjong Katong Road; United Square, 101 Thomson Road; and Velocity@Novena Square, 238 Thomson Road When: Until July 6, various timings Admission: Spend at least $60 at the malls to redeem two workshop passes. An additional fee of $10 or $20 a person applies Info: Go to or the respective malls' websites Parent-child baking classes Learn to make animal-themed madeleines with your child during the school holidays. PHOTO: REDMAN BAKING STUDIO Bake and bond with your children at RedMan Baking Studio's school holiday workshops. In the Animal-Themed Madeleines class, learn to make classic French madeleines and decorate eight pieces with adorable animal designs before taking them home. Another option is the Cake Push Pops course, where you and your child can bake sponge cake and assemble six servings in playful push-up containers. These two-hour hands-on classes are designed for a parent and a child between six and 12 years old. Teens can register independently. Where: Five RedMan outlets, including 02-26 Pasir Ris Mall, 7 Pasir Ris Central, and B1-14 The Star Vista, 1 Vista Exchange Green When: June 6 to 29, various timings Admission: $48 for a parent and a child aged six to 12 Info: Adventures With Andi musical Adventures With Andi is an interactive musical adapted from the What Ants Do local picture book series. PHOTO: DERIC TAN Catch the musical adaptation of What Ants Do, a four-book children's series (2022 to 2024) written by Senior Minister of State for National Development and Transport Sun Xueling and illustrated by artist Josef Lee. Recommended for families with children aged two to 12, the 90-minute stage show follows Andi the ant and his friends, who face the daunting task of rebuilding their homes after a forest fire. Despite their varied strengths and skills, they must learn to collaborate and overcome obstacles to create a new haven. The interactive musical parallels the development of Singapore's public housing after the 1961 Bukit Ho Swee fire. Your kids are encouraged to work together with the performers and learn about resilience, teamwork and the importance of belonging. For example, balloons, symbolising rocks, will be released into the audience who can help move them towards the stage. The page-to-stage performance debuted in 2023. Presented by local theatre company How Drama, this new edition incorporates the story from What Ants Do On Fiery Days, the fourth book in the series. Director and co-writer Melissa Sim says: 'We want families to leave the theatre with a strong sense of togetherness and that we can overcome anything, if we put our minds together and stay united.' Where: Drama Centre Theatre, 03-01 National Library, 100 Victoria Street When: June 6, 11.30am; June 7 and 8, 11.30am and 2pm Admission: $30 and $35 Info: Stitch-themed activities at VivoCity Have fun at Stitch-themed carnival booths and take photos with installations of the beloved alien. PHOTO: VIVOCITY Stitch, with his mischievous grin and bright eyes, cuts an arresting figure at VivoCity's Outdoor Plaza. Take pictures with the towering 4.5m statue there and head inside the mall to hunt for two smaller photo spots. Also known as Experiment 626, the blue alien is enjoying his time in the spotlight, with Lilo & Stitch now showing in cinemas. It is a live-action remake of the 2002 animated classic of the same name. Try your hand at carnival games for $10 each and stand a chance to win plushies of the lovable character. Your little ones can also hop aboard the Mini Express Train adorned with Stitch graphics. Enjoy a free ride by signing up for the mall's Kids Club and spending $100 or more at participating stores. And shop the collectibles at lifestyle store Miniso's first Stitch-themed pop-up in Singapore. Exclusively available at Vivocity's Central Court is the Stitch Vinyl Plush Blind Box ($30.90), featuring the alien in a soft, fluffy onesie. Where: VivoCity, 1 HarbourFront Walk When: Until June 29, various timings Admission: Free; separate charges apply for carnival games Info: Get the ST Smart Parenting newsletter for expert advice. Visit the microsite for more
CNA
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CNA
CNA938 Rewind - Mad about pagodas! ACM's 'Pagoda Odyssey 1915: From Shanghai to San Francisco'
CNA938 Rewind In 'Destination Anywhere', Melanie Oliveiro finds out about Asian Civilisations Museum's ongoing exhibition 'Pagoda Odyssey 1915: From Shanghai to San Francisco', featuring 84 hand-carved models , together for the first time in over a century. Dr Kevin Lam, Senior Curator for Chinese Art at ACM will talk about how the pagodas were originally made in Shanghai, and will highlight iconic pagodas from different regions and historical periods.
