Latest news with #artinstallation
CNA
a day ago
- Entertainment
- CNA
Spotted a huge red ball in town? Here's why 195 of them have rolled out across Singapore with more to come
While most of us were fast asleep on Jul 12, a fleet of 100 lorries and 100 workers fanned out across the island from midnight. Their mission: To plant a lot of giant red balls all over Singapore, from neighbourhoods to schools and the civic district. The next morning, Singaporeans woke up to find these pops of red in their midst. Stamped with the SG60 logo and measuring between 1.5 and 5 metres across, they made schoolchildren stop in their tracks and office workers look up from their phones. For Adrian Tan, the chief executive officer of Adplanet Group, it was a thrill to watch the city react. 'I did not mention this campaign to any of my friends, but I'm happy to record about five or six sightings a day, where my friends go: Oh, I spotted this red ball. Have you seen it?' The balls are part of the United As One Red Dot campaign, which marks both SG60 and UOB's 90th anniversary. Of the 195 balls installed as of Tuesday (Jul 29), six are in the bank's corporate colour, blue, while the rest are red. By far the largest SG60 out-of-home (OOH) installation – industry-speak for advertisements placed in public spaces – the campaign was conceived by Adrian Tan together with Francis Tan, chief executive officer of Germs Digital, and Jayne Kwek, director of 3 Aces Advertising. 'Singapore is a beautiful island with so much greenery, and it's actually the perfect canvas for an art installation. The idea was to paint the island with giant red balls that signify our little red dot,' said Kwek. She would know a thing or two about OOH advertising. As the former CEO of Moove Media, the advertising arm of ComfortDelGro, she was the woman behind the herd of 'cows' that grazed all over Singapore in 2005. 'The cows did the same job in that it was creativity in its simplest form. We didn't have to make it too elaborate; the red balls were a symbol that Singaporeans can identify with.' 'IT WAS REALLY QUITE A JOURNEY' What's one object that can unify an entire country? That was the key question the trio wrestled with during the conceptualisation phase, said Francis Tan. The Merlion was the obvious national symbol, and the city skyline felt fitting in telling Singapore's transformation story. But in the end, the answer was far more obvious. 'The red dot symbolises how Singapore struggled to become what it is today. We wanted to flood the entire city with that reminder, similar to Yayoi Kusama's dotted pumpkins all around Japan,' he explained. The simplicity of the mnemonic belies the effort behind it. Designing a ball to withstand heat, rain and wind was no small feat. As the air inside expands and contracts with the weather, it has to be made of tri-layered PVC with a little elasticity. They also need weekly maintenance to keep them looking plump, and replacements are deployed within 24 hours if necessary. The bigger challenge was the red tape, starting with an engineering certification to prove the balls could be safely secured. The 5-metre blue ball outside UOB Centre, for instance, had to be anchored with a 2-tonne weight to prevent it from being blown into the Singapore River. Then came the arduous process of securing approvals. Because the balls were installed on both public and private land, the team had to obtain clearance from a long list of authorities, ranging from government agencies to mall operators. 'It was really quite a journey. Thankfully, our stakeholders were all very supportive because they wanted to see the red balls as part of the SG60 celebration,' said Kwek. Making sure the heartlands were not left out was just as important, added Adrian Tan, who wanted Singaporeans in every corner of the country to feel a sense of national pride when they saw them. 'This was by no means easy, but we took a bottom-up approach by speaking to many MPs. They were very encouraging and said, we love it. Let's go.' PAINTING THE TOWN RED These giant balls will remain on display across Singapore until Sep 14, and passers-by can join weekly contests by answering quiz questions or snapping Instagram-worthy photos. Since their debut, the giant balls have been a hit, especially with the little ones. Babies have been spotted reaching out from their strollers to poke them, while families get creative with forced-perspective photography. 'I think this campaign gave us the opportunity to show that Singaporeans can be fun and creative too,' said Kwek. Even office workers out on their lunch break can't resist stopping for a midday selfie. For Francis Tan, seeing people pose with the ball near Tampines Mall and Century Square – his old hangouts as a secondary school student – was a full-circle moment. 'I'm going there to see it this weekend and take a photo with my daughter. It's a place I grew up in, and I'd like to explore the area as I haven't been there in a while,' he said. Deploying the campaign has also taken him to heartlands in the north and west for the first time in years, renewing his appreciation for how much these neighbourhoods have evolved. 'I realised that heartlands are now very robust, from their wet markets to the shopping malls. So what can't we achieve?' The response has been so overwhelming that more balls are being added beyond the original 180. Kwek is working with the Singapore Land Authority to place one in the middle of a green field in Ghim Moh, while Adrian Tan, ever the ad-man, has bigger plans. 'I would like to see a giant red ball on top of a bus shelter in Orchard Road or Shenton Way, and LTA is talking to us about this possibility.'
BBC News
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Immersive bubble artwork to transform St Helier
A new and immersive temporary art instillation is set to transform St Helier, a Jersey charity Jersey said the artwork, Bubbletecture, was a "dazzling arrangement of 8m high iridescent spheres" and anyone and everyone was welcome to attend the free said it was set to transform the footprint of International Finance Centre (IFC2) on the Esplanade into a "glowing, playful wonderland" from 28 August until 14 artwork, by Sydney-based artists Atelier Sisu, would be responding to sunlight throughout the day which would scatter rainbow reflections across the ground and be paired with a bespoke soundtrack, they added. The charity said there would also be magical lighting effects which would run from 09:30 BST to 21:30, as well as free cultural and wellbeing events each project was being delivered in partnership with the Jersey Development Company and sponsored by Butterfield, ArtHouse Jersey Tom Dingle said the work was chosen for its accessible nature, sense of fun and its power to brighten shared spaces. "Bubbletecture is about wonder, joy and togetherness," he said."It's a piece that anyone and everyone can enjoy - no explanations needed." CEO of the Jersey Development Company Lee Henry added: "Bubbletecture offers more than just an architectural installation - it brings a creative energy to the heart of town and invites islanders to re-engage with a familiar area in a fresh and imaginative way. "This project- albeit temporary- reflects our ongoing commitment to thoughtful placemaking and the integration of culture within Jersey's evolving urban landscape."
The Guardian
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Nick Cave fans swarm charity bookshop in UK after musician donates thousands of books
Nick Cave fans have descended on a charity bookshop in Hove, in southern England, after the musician donated 2,000 books from his personal collection. The Australian singer made the donation to Hove's Oxfam Bookshop on Blatchington Road. The books were once part of his personal library, which was recreated for an art installation that went to Denmark and Canada. A bookshop worker named only as Richard told the Argus: 'It's a very interesting donation. The types of books are very wide ranging – there's philosophy, art, religion, even old fiction paperbacks. It's an incredibly varied donation. He clearly held on to his books, some of them are quite old.' Books from Cave's collection on sale included books by Salman Rushdie, Christopher Hitchens and Ian McEwan, a first edition of Johnny Cash's novel Man In White, and 'a recipe book about aphrodisiacs', the Times reported. This article includes content provided by Instagram. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. To view this content, click 'Allow and continue'. The Times reported that 'a crowd of people' were going through Cave's books in the shop by Friday, with treasures including Cave's boarding pass for a flight to Amsterdam, a map of the US, an empty packet of cigarettes and an 'old envelope with the words 'Lukes tooth' written in Cave's distinctive handwriting.' His son Luke is 34 years old. On Saturday, a queue formed at the shop as word spread. Cave and his family moved to Brighton in the 2000s. One of his sons, Arthur, died in 2015 after falling from a cliff in Ovingdean Gap in Brighton. The family left for Los Angeles, then London; in 2023, they sold the Brighton home for £2.9m. Cave wrote: 'Brighton had just become too sad … we did, however, return once we realised that, regardless of where we lived, we just took our sadness with us.' Richard told the Argus that many of Cave's books will just look like regular books on the shelves, unless fans go searching: 'A couple have plane tickets used as bookmarks but apart from that. It's not like he was one of these people who had a book plate or wrote his name in.' However, some customers reported finding books with sentences underlined or passages noted in Cave's handwriting. Some were also once gifts, including a copy of The Lieutenant of Inishmore inscribed by Irish playwright Martin McDonagh. A spokesperson for Cave said he wouldn't comment on the donation, saying: 'He thinks the discoveries will remain intriguing mysteries for those who find them.'
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Yahoo
7 reasons why you need to make this curious European city your next city break
When you touch down in Bergen - and before you even leave the airport's car park – you'll discover something incredibly curious. A bright, optimistic and yellow-lettered question that, without you even knowing it yet, will shape your entire city break. Directly on the mountainside, it reads: 'Bergen?'. I learned later that this short but sweet question is a permanent art installation by the Icelandic artist Ragnar Kjartansson. Bergen? art installation outside the airport (Newsquest) (Image: Newsquest) Can you guess what it means? Now, the answer will become clear to you very soon, but I'll keep you curious a while longer. Meanwhile, here are 7 very obvious reasons that you need to book a trip to Bergen for 2026 (but believe me, it was hard to whittle these down). Why you should visit Bergen 1. Convenient When it comes to city breaks, we Brits look for convenience, and Bergen ticks all of those boxes. You can fly to Bergen in under two hours from the UK, making it ideal for a weekend jaunt. It couldn't be a better time to explore Norway either, as launches its biggest ever Bergen programme. The popular airline flies to Bergen from seven UK airports, so it's handy to get to from wherever you are in the country, including Bristol, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Leeds Bradford, Manchester, Newcastle International, and London Stansted airports. From next year, you'll also be able to fly to Bergen from three new airports (Belfast International, East Midlands and Liverpool John Lennon). Jet2 is similarly expanding its programmes to the Norwegian city from Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester and London Stansted. If you want to learn more, check prices and even book your next city break to Bergen (which I couldn't recommend more), visit the Jet2 website. 2. Eco-friendly I was completely taken with how green Bergen was as a destination. Considered as one of the most sustainable cities in the world (Global Destination Sustainability Index), it's actually the largest place in the Nordics that holds a Sustainable Destination certificate. The city champions sustainability across the board, from its cruise to recycling industries. Unbelievably, 80% of car sales in Norway were electric vehicles (2023). Frankly, they're putting the UK to shame with only 4.6% o of our roughly 34 million cars being fully electric. Bergen is an inspiring place to be, but its passion for sustainability doesn't just benefit the locals. Tourists can enjoy free use of the Light Rail and buses as well as discounts at attractions, activities and accommodation which can be reached by walking or via public transport. You can pick up a Bergen card online, tourist information office or at selected hotels, hostels and campsites too. I didn't use it myself on my trip, but if I were going again – even for just 24 hours (you can pick up a pass for 48, 72, 96 hours too) – I would definitely be picking up a card for the convenience and the savings. You get free or discounted entry to over 30 museums and attractions, including the Fløibanen funicular, Bergen Science Centre VilVite and Bergen Aquarium. A 48-hour adult pass will cost you 504 NOK (£39.51), meanwhile, a child's pass will set you back 106 NOK (£11.97). If you get the digital version, you can activate it whenever you want, so it's ideal for saving money on those sightseeing days. In my days there, I found Bergen to be an incredibly walkable and compact city, although it wasn't my favourite way to get around, but more on that later. The UNESCO World Heritage site of Bryggen is postcard-perfect (Newsquest) (Image: Newsquest) 3. History Speaking of museums and attractions, Bergen is overflowing with history to uncover. When you think of this Nordic city, you might picture its iconic UNESCO World Heritage site, Bryggen. It's the ideal Instagram pic or a classic backdrop on your postcard to home, but it's so much more than that. This colourful harbour spot has something for everyone. History buffs will be able to get a glimpse into Bergen's trading past as they explore the incredibly well-preserved medieval architecture. If you're more into shopping, you can spend hours browsing for the perfect souvenir in one of its many shops. If you're peckish, I couldn't recommend a visit to Baker Brun more. Their staff were incredibly friendly and the pastries were delicious! The composer Edvard Grieg's home has been turned into a museum, exhibition and concert hall (Image: Newsquest) But beyond the city centre, I'd recommend a trip to Troldhaugen – the home turned museum of Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg and his wife, Nina. If you haven't heard of Grieg, don't worry – neither had I before my visit. However, it's more than likely that you have heard at least one of his songs if you have been to one of the UK's most popular theme parks, Alton Towers. I was a little embarrassed that the only way I knew Grieg's "In the Hall of the Mountain King" was because of the adverts for a British roller coaster resort. However, a guided tour around his home, the exhibition centre and his garden composing hut set me straight. Edvard Grieg lived in the house for 20 years (Newsquest) (Image: Newsquest) It's very reasonably priced at NOK 175.00 ( £12.54) for an adult ticket, and children under 16 go free. If you visit in the summer, they host daily concerts, which you can buy tickets for separately on their website. If I had to choose another historic highlight for me on this trip, it would have to be the Fantoft Stave church. This striking church was unlike anything I had ever seen. I was taken aback by the beautiful wooden medieval architecture, which became more important still when I learned that only 28 Stave churches still exist in Norway today. There used to be over 1500 in the country, but over the years, they have tragically disappeared. This church, located just 6km from Bergen city centre, was originally built in Fortun in Sogn in 1170. Fantoft Stave church celebrates elements of Norse religion and Christianity within its architecture (Image: Newsquest) Over the years, there have been many changes to the building before it was moved to Fantoft in the late 19th century. In June 1992, the church made headline news after it was set on fire and burned to the ground. Lucky for us, a quick decision was made to rebuild it. Re-opening in 1997, visitors and locals alike were able to visit and take in the architecture and celebrate the beautiful blend of Christianity and the Old Norse religion. Take a trip up Mount Ulriken on the Ulriksbanen (Image: Newsquest) 4. The views Coined as the city of the 7 mountains, Bergen is not short on incredible views. Lucky for us tourists, we don't need to go far – or hike very high – to find them either. After arriving at Bergen airport in the early morning, we were quickly whisked off to the city's highest mountain, Mount Ulriken. As a Scot, I'm no stranger to a hike or two, but I was relieved to see that a shiny yellow cable car was taking us to the top of the steep 643m high mountain. Riding the gondola is an experience in itself. The short but smooth trip lets you take in the most spectacular vista of the city and sea, mountains and fjords. Once you reach the top, you can take a few selfies before indulging yourself with a truly unforgettable dining experience at the Skyskraperen restaurant (but more on that later). The view from the top of Mount Ulriken at the Skyskraperen restaurant was breathtaking (Image: Newsquest) If you don't want to leave the comforts and convenience of the city centre, you simply must take the trip up Mount Fløyen. Norwegians really do put the fun in funicular (sorry). The 6-minute trip treats you to breathtaking views of the city below and the surrounding fjords and mountains. The Fløibanen funicular is a 6-minute journey with incredible views (Image: Newsquest) At the top, you can enjoy a bite to eat at the Fløirestaurant or the exclusive eatery Schou. If you prefer a smaller snack before heading out to explore, it's worth visiting the Fløistuen shop and café. There's plenty to entertain you at the top, including various beautiful walking and cycling routes (you can rent bikes up there), Lake Skomakerdiket (where you can canoe), a large playground and even a Troll forest! I went on a tour around Bergen's city centre on two wheels (Image: Newsquest) 5. Adventurous activities If you love a sense of adventure from a city break, you won't be disappointed with the offering in Bergen. I have never ridden a bike abroad, and now it's something I want to do in every city I go to. A tour with Bergen Bike Rent on our first evening completely converted me to the charms of seeing a city on two wheels. Our fantastic guide showed us the sights of the bustling city centre from the Cathedral to the fish market. We went through picturesque alleys and across the pretty city square. I'm not a confident cyclist, but our knowledgeable guide showed us the ropes of riding an electric bike and reassured us throughout. We did the Bergen Downtown route, but there are also two others you can do – a dark blue route designed for the more active amongst us and a new route through the largest bike and pedestrian tunnel in the world. I can't wait to go back because I'm simply desperate to try it. Special thanks to Bergen Bike Rent for the guided tour (Image: Newsquest) Beyond biking, Bergen and the west of Norway boast access to amazing activities like kayaking and rafting, golf courses, zip lines, glacier tours and more. You can find out more and book your next adventure via the Visit Bergen website. 6. Delicious places to eat When I used to think of Norway, I simply pictured the snow-dusted landscapes, jaw-dropping fjords, Norse Gods and Viking hats. Truthfully, I had never considered Norway as a foodie destination, but how wrong I was! I didn't have a bad meal when I was there, but there were a few standout meals that I have to mention. Norwegian pastries are the perfect snack to enjoy as you mooch about the city (Image: Newsquest) Snacks and pastries As I teased earlier, I couldn't recommend a visit to Baker Brun. Their service was incredible, especially with a group of hungry journalists with lots and lots of questions. No traveller's day is complete for me without a taste of a traditional pastry and a mooch about a city centre. Bergen's answer was a delicious Skillingsboulle, which scored very highly with the entire group. The menu at Skyskraperen is seasonal and beautifully made. ( Newsquest) (Image: Newsquest)Lunch I'm not about to forget lunch at the Skyskraperen restaurant in a hurry. Lunch at the top of Mount Ulriken was our welcome meal, and what a welcome it was. Between the spectacular view and the delicious seasonal menu, I was completely speechless. Whilst we enjoyed the 3-course menu of modern Norwegian dishes, the restaurant caters for both hikers and visitors from the cable car. The food was divine, but I must recommend treating yourself to a glass bottle of Alde cider. We raved about it the entire time we were in Norway, and we all bought ourselves a bottle at Duty Free to take home. All in all, you simply can't go to Bergen without experiencing this wonderful restaurant for yourself. You've got to pick up a bottle of Alde (Image: Newsquest) Dinner When it comes to dinner, I couldn't recommend a visit to Bryggen Tracteusted more. Located in one of the oldest and best-preserved wooden buildings in the UNESCO site, everything about it feels warm and welcoming, from the staff to the traditional Bergen recipes. We ate here on our last night, and it was a very fond farewell feast indeed. Take a look inside Bryggen Tracteusted (Image: Newsquest) 7. Gateway to the Fjords I can't write a story about a trip to Norway without mentioning its beautiful Fjords. A bucket list experience for many, Bergen is the ideal gateway to the West of Norway and some truly breathtaking scenery. Simply hop on the train at Bergen station and enjoy the delights of one of the most scenic train journeys in the world. You're going to want to get a window seat for the journey to Flåm through Myrdal (trust me). Snow-dusted mountains and stunning waterfalls can be seen throughout the journey (Image: Newsquest) From snow-dusted mountains almost all year round to traditional colourful wooden houses decorating the mountainside, my jaw dropped and my nose was pressed to the window for almost the entire time (which must have been a sight for the other passengers, I'm sure). Travellers can enjoy a 5-minute photo stop at the Kjosfossen waterfall (Image: Newsquest) A highlight of the journey – before you even get to the Fjord village of Flåm - has to be the 5-minute photo stop at the truly stunning Kjosfossen waterfall. The picture above speaks for itself. This memorable train journey connects you to the beauty of the UNESCO Nærøyfjord. This electric cruise from Flam to Gudvangen is probably the most peaceful two hours I've spent in a long time. The 20km Fjord gives nature lovers plenty of time to try and spot some seals and porpoises from the deck. Spot seals and porpoises from the deck of the Nærøyfjord cruise (Image: Newsquest) The route has plenty of points of interest, including one of the smallest churches in Scandinavia – Underdal church – which fits only 40 people. The cruise showcases the very best of Norway in a neat nutshell and is an absolute must for your trip. Recommended reading Is Greece still the place to go for the best holiday? Here's my salty experience I went skiing and had an amazing yet terrible experience The 'foodie paradise' 3 hours from the UK that should be on your bucket list There you have it, 7 reasons why you absolutely need to make Bergen your next city break. As Europe's rainiest city, you might not get guaranteed sunshine, but you can be assured that you'll experience culture, history, beautiful views, delicious places to eat and wonderful people to show you the way. Special thanks to all of our guides and our new Norwegian friends, Linn and Stein, for welcoming us with open arms. Other cities will give you your bog-standard welcome sign, but not Bergen. This delightful, curious and vibrant city gives you an invitation as soon as you step off the plane. But it's more than an invite; that question mark is a challenge. You've arrived in Bergen, what will you do now?
National Post
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- National Post
Design trends: A new push for public art
A thought-provoking new sculpture by British artist Ryan Gander — The Cat, the Clock and the Rock — was unveiled on April 29 in the pedestrian walkway between Toronto's Simcoe and St. Patrick streets, near OCAD University. It's an eye-catching piece, a four-foot stainless-steel clock leaning against a rock modelled after one of the oldest rock samples on Earth, with a life-sized cat curled up in its shadow. But it's the artwork's backstory that reveals a side of Toronto's Percent for Public Art Program that often isn't talked about. Article content Article content The sculpture sits between three new towers in the Artists' Alley condo project. The piece was funded by the condos' developer, Lanterra, a participant in the City of Toronto's voluntary Percent for Public Art Program, a 40-year-old arrangement in which participating developers reserve one percent of a project's gross construction cost to fund a public artwork, either on the site itself or nearby, in exchange for concessions like additional storeys or an increase in building density. In the case of Artists' Alley, both of those were granted in exchange for community benefits that included the sculpture; a 6,000-square-foot community space to be operated by the City; a publicly accessible open space; and a monetary contribution to new affordable housing units in the area, according to a spokesperson in the City's Media Relations department. Article content Some artist mentorship is encouraged in the program's guidelines, but these components have generally been limited to interactions between the commissioned artist and a single mentee, often an artist local to the area where a piece will be installed. For example, developer Concord Adex facilitated several one-on-one mentorships at its Concord CityPlace and Concord Park Place communities with local artists, led by their public art consultant. Mentees learned about public art commissioning and delivery through hands-on experience and coaching. Article content Article content 'With OCAD right next door, we really wanted to create an opportunity for art students to get involved, to learn from this incredible international artist, and to see first-hand what goes into making a piece of art like this happen,' says Lanterra chairman and co-founder Mark Mandelbaum. Article content Lanterra's first installation, in 2007, was a roly-poly bronze sculpture by the controversial American artist Tom Otterness titled Immigrant Family at Yonge Street and Lakeshore Boulevard. Article content This time, working closely with OCAD U, Lanterra funded a mentorship bursary and supported the creation of a new minor in public art at the school. In 2022, six upper-year students and alumni were selected to participate in a week-long paid intensive with Gander titled 'A Melted Snowman,' which explored public space and artistic intervention around the OCAD U campus. Article content 'I still think about the work that I made for that workshop. It informs what I'm doing now,' says Abby Kettner, one of the OCAD U students involved. It culminated in the group creation of a piece — a magic eight ball containing a die with all of the students' works depicted titled Oscillation and Tension Between the Natural and the Conventional — that Gander gifted to OCAD U's permanent collection.
