The annual Night Festival is back this weekend (and next), a spectacular extravaganza that will see museums and various locations across the Bras Basah area transformed come nightfall. Back for its 9th edition, this year’s theme centres on “Inventions and Innovations”.
There won’t just be the usual light shows that play on the façade of familiar museums – you’ll see more interactive pieces and moving street performances, along with a festival village that’ll satiate your hunger pangs and support local emerging bands. Below, five acts you ought to catch:
Les Aquamens sees two otherwise mundane businessmen approaching strangers on the street with questions – except you’ll find that their heads are underwater, encased in goldfish bowls and complete with living goldfishes. How, you might think, are they supposed to talk like that? It’s precisely what French production house Machtiern Company wants to question: how can communication be possible when we (literally) erect barriers? August 19-20, various locations & times, free admission
If you’ve always been curious about theatre but found it too daunting, The Wheel House makes for a fantastic start to the world of histrionics. And even if you aren’t interested in theatre, the mere sight of this acrobatic theatre performance within a moving circular sphere will keep you enthralled. Intended to be lightly comical, this is the story of survival in a dystopian world that relies on instincts, reflexes but above all, friendship. August 19-20, National Museum, various times, free admission
Faintly recalling Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Room, #showerthoughts is the first public installation by nine local undergraduates from the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD). It invites the audience to step into a dark room, where the only sources of light come from innumerable illuminated bubbles. Meant to simulate the “eureka” moment we often experience when in the shower (and without a pen to jot it all down, naturally…), this is one sensory experience you wouldn’t want to miss out on. August 19-27, National Design Centre, Design Gallery 1, various times, free admission
Always wondered how a tattoo would look on you? Portuguese artists Oskar & Gaspar’s show projects tattoos onto the human body using light, transforming them into walking pieces of art without any of the pain. August 26-27, National Museum of Singapore, various times, free admission
For those wishing to escape the crowds, head to Objectifs over at Middle Road for a melange of everything hipster-approved: super8 short films; sound art performances; a cross-disciplinary art exhibition (entitled Ghost on the Wire #2) by 18 different artists both local and from the UK; and a barter market to boot. Yes, as in a market where people swap goods and services with each other instead of monetary assets. With Objectifs being a champion of the photography and film mediums, expect merchandise to follow accordingly. August 19-20, Objectifs, various times. The Barter Market will take place only on August 20, 7pm-9pm
Like this? Check out 8 new museums around the world that are a must-see, become a spy in AndSoForth’s interactive dining experience and check out these fashion films in the upcoming Design Film Festival.