Top 5 Must-See Works and FAQs
The Children’s Biennale returns this year with 11 larger-than-life art installations by esteemed Singaporean and Southeast Asian artists that are bound to enthuse kids and adults alike! This year’s installations are highly interactive and visitors will see 3 new works inspired by the visual culture and daily life of Singapore’s past. What we’ve always like about the Children’s Biennale is that all the installations are housed within the spacious National Gallery Singapore (weather-proof and kids proof, yay!)
In short, it’s like an indoor play area of sorts except that all the installations carry deeper significances. Parents can take the opportunity to engage the kids as they go on a trail to deepen their appreciation of local and South East Asia art and culture.
To help you plan your visit, here are 5 ‘Must-See’ works ‘certified’ by my kids. There will also be performances, interactive workshops and artists chit-chats on the opening weekends (25-26 May 2019; 1-2 June 2019). Details at the end of the post.
- KENANGAN KUNANG-KUNANG (MEMORIES OF FIREFLIES) (Supreme Court Wing, Level B1, Koh Seow Chuan Concourse Gallery)
This is one mystical installation where families can imagine themselves in a dark forest surrounded beautiful lanterns that light up. Just like how fire flies light-up the forest nights. In fact, parents and kids can step into one of the huge lanterns and spin it around. Colourful and mesmerising. Not to be missed! On display till 15 Sept 2019.
- CHANCE OPERATIONS (City Hall Wing, Level B1, The Ngee Ann Kongsi Auditorium Anteroom)
Create sounds, chords and even subtle tunes with this installation that uses soft felt balls and what seemed like an unending row of wind chimes of various lengths. Throw these balls at the tubes to create your own melodies or form a sequence as you throw the balls to create your own unique composition.Highly interactive and fun but can be too noisy for some!
https://www.nationalgallery.sg/festivals/childrens-biennale-2019/artworks/chance-operations
- BIG HUG (City Hall Wing, Level B1, The Ngee Ann Kongsi Concourse Gallery)
The entire huge room here is an installation in itself that comprises of many many different activities that families can experience and enjoy together….form and renew bonds and then, hug!
From giant braiding, to looking through large kaleidoscope; moving wooden puppets to admiring ceramic unique ceramic pieces. From constructing interesting patterns either on their own or collectively, this is one huge place with tremendous bonding potential! One can stay here the whole day! On display till 15 Sept. 2019
https://www.nationalgallery.sg/festivals/childrens-biennale-2019/artworks/big-hug
- THE STORY OF KARUNG GUNI BOY (City Hall Wing, Level 1, Outside Keppel Centre for Art Education)
Ever had your kids come home and tell you that they have to create something with recycled materials? Or crack your head with your kids over a ‘project’ which has to be made with recycled materials? This installation takes it to a whole new inspiring level!
Imagine creating everything from the universe, a huge robot or even a miniature diorama all from recycled materials! This installation is bound to stroke your child’s creativity (and yours too!)
https://www.nationalgallery.sg/festivals/childrens-biennale-2019/artworks/story-of-karung-guni-boy
- DAYUNG SAMPAN – BE YOUR OWN CAPTAIN ON DECK (City Hall Wing, Level 1, Keppel Centre for Art Education Project Gallery)
Childhood imagination is limitless. Even as objects cast a faint resemblance, kids will just imagine it to be what they like! Step into this room where a huge unfinished ‘sampan’ sits and a huge open cage (Where’s the bird?) and some childhood toys. These are surrounded by flying propellers and even some portholes where kids peep in and explore.
Let the kids’ imagination take over! From piloting their own ship to peeping into the huge cage, this room stirs one’s imagination and brings one’s sense of play to a whole new level!
The other installations are:
STARDUST: SOARING THROUGH THE SKY’S EMBRACE by Mark Justiniani
(Supreme Court Wing, Level B1, Outside Koh Seow Chuan Concourse Gallery)
Embark on a galactic quest as you walk along this bridge and peer into outer space and beyond.
EVERY WORLD by Donna Ong (Supreme Court Wing, Level 1, Supreme Court Foyer)
Venture into five different domes, each revealing an amazing landscape made of paper, and uncover stories and motifs hidden within.
PLAY BY THE RIVER (City Hall Wing, Level 1, City Hall Foyer)
Make new friends by the river, play a game of five stones under the trees and say”hello” to a family of ducks.
THE OORT CLOUD AND THE BLUE MOUNTAIN by Andreas Schlegel and Hazel Lim-Schlegel (Supreme Court Wing, Level 1, Padang Atrium)
Engage and excite your senses through touch and play with an array of colours, sounds, and textures!
TIGHTLY HUGGING CARE, LOVE, PEACE. by Eko Nugroho
(Level 1, Padang Atrium)
Feast your eyes on this wall mural and be inspired by a hopeful dreamscape that encourages care, love and peace among mankind.
THE OTHER WALL by Aung Ko and Nge Lay
Supreme Court Wing, Level 3, Supreme Court Foyer
Get crafty! Enjoy stamping activities or parables about cleverness, honesty and love in these traditional Burmese-inspired houses.
Children’s Biennale 2019
The Children’s Biennale 2019 with its world-class installations has endless potential of evoking fun and creativity for kids and families. Most exhibits are on display till Dec. 2019. Don’t miss it!
Date: 25 May 2019 to 29 Dec. 2019
Opening Weekend Activities
Sat–Sun | 25–26 May, 1–2 Jun | 12–5pm
https://www.nationalgallery.sg/festivals/childrens-biennale-2019/programmes
For more info on the event and art works, go to: https://www.nationalgallery.sg/festivals/childrens-biennale-2019/artworks
Venue: National Gallery Singapore
Pricing: Free for Singaporeans and PR.
Admission details here: https://www.nationalgallery.sg/visit/admissions
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