Get ready for three weekends of fun and nostalgia. “Art of Play” is the theme of Singapore Night Festival (SNF) 2024, happening from Aug 23 to Sep 7 across the Bras Basah.Bugis precinct (BBB). Organised by the National Heritage Board (NHB), and supported by lead sponsor Samsung Singapore, Singapore’s largest nocturnal experience is set to take festivalgoers on a journey to explore and learn about the rich history of the precinct, with over 50 programmes that deep dive into the concept of play and childhood, including projection mapping artworks, performances, Festival Villages, Night Lights installations and partner programmes.
Here are some of the highlights.
Wonder World: A Machine of Nostalgia: Local contemporary artist Sam Lo (a.k.a. SKLO) reimagines the magic of 1950s “great world” amusement parks in Singapore, inviting visitors to ponder the co-existence and balance between preserving heritage and embracing modernity, and the place of nostalgia in today’s society. Wonder World features rides, game stalls, nostalgic trades and even a wrestling ring. Check out the larger-than-life billboards by SKLO and local artists, where they present artworks set in an alternate 1950s universe and inspired by Samsung’s Galaxy AI.
Note that this is a ticketed event; early bird ticket sales are available now to Aug 17 at $20. Tickets are priced at $25 from Aug 18. Find out more here.
Night Lights installations: BBB will be illuminated by 10 site-specific installations, inspired by the concept of play. At Stamford Arts Centre, The Happiest Days of Our Lives by Rizman Putra evokes childhood nostalgia as it showcases images from the early 1960s–90s with vintage illustrations. At Bugis Street Art Lane, a new location for SNF, Delulu High by Pop Glitterfreak Collective transforms a lively gymnasium space into a vibrant, safe and reflective haven for all to enjoy. Thereafter, festivalgoers should explore the Disco Bus and Affirmation Steps, both designed to reimagine the dreaded aspects of school into playful and healing experiences.
Regional artists have also come on board SNF, such as Thai interactive installation artist KIMBAB:) who has an interactive installation called Fortune Beads located at Funan Mall. It is designed to engage audiences in a thrilling race against time with its vibrant visual display and captivating game play.
Other installations include Scents of Being at the National Design Centre, a multisensory experience presented by Aesop that takes place in a mythical forest; Red House Cafe, an experiential bakery-inspired artwork; and a larger-than-life illuminated paper plane at Armenian Street.
Projection mapping: The Peranakan Museum will also host a projection mapping work for SNF for the first time. Called Between Threads, the work by Singaporean film director Clare Chong, Jennifer O’Connor and Taufiq Hidyat celebrates intricate artistry and diverse perspectives of Peranakan communities.
Chijmes will come alive with four works that are part of the SNF Projection Masterclass led by Shakir (a.k.a Grasshopper), a Malaysian multimedia digital artist and co- founder of art collective Filamen.
Festival Villages: There’s not one but four Festival Villages this year, each with its own identity and character. Look forward to creative installations, food and live performances. They include the debut of late-night Twilight Playground @ GR.iD, with an interactive playground with escape room experience and beer garden. The other three returning festival villages are SMU Arts Fest 2024: Play at SMU Campus Green, held in conjunction with Singapore Management University’s (SMU) Arts Fest; Festival Village @ Chijmes; and Pixel Paradise at Armenian Street, inspired by the Peranakan Museum’s beaded objects and retro video games.
Then there are partner programmes and “mini-festivals” within SNF. From xinyao singalongs at Bras Basah Complex to an outdoor photography exhibition and getai shows at Waterloo Street, there is something for everyone.
Singapore Night Festival 2024 takes place from Aug 23 to Sep 7 across the Bras Basah.Bugis precinct. The festival is free with selected ticketed programmes which can be purchased here. For the full list of programmes, visit here.
This article was first published on Jul 19, 2024.
