Open up your eyes to the world of art in 2018.
By April Zara Chua
In school, we were taught the basics like painting, sketching, drawing and sculpting. Do you remember the fun you had creating your vegetable painting masterpiece? Or how about the confusion you felt while looking at abstract art? Or the time you literally lost your breath admiring an installation that completely resonated with you?
Art is about that � to evoke feelings and emotions, or to convey a message or an idea. You don�t need to be an art major to appreciate it. Don�t be put off by the notion that art is only for the select few � there is something for everyone!
This year, satisfy your curiosity and take a step into the wonderful world of art. Did you know that our tiny red dot has about 30 museums, 14 heritage centres, and numerous art galleries? So grab your date and journey through different types of art by checking out these hottest exhibitions happening in Singapore right now:
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Art Science Museum
Where: 10 Bayfront Avenue
What: Art from the Streets
When: 13 January�3 June 2018
The lowdown: The exhibition traces 40 years of street art and features the works of the world�s best known street artists, including Banksy, Shepard Fairey (aka Obey), Futura, Invader, JR and Vhils. These include large-scale mural paintings, installations, videos, prints, drawings and sketches. Southeast Asian urban art is also represented with new works by local and regional artists.
Why it�s worth your time: You�ll be able to see and experience the evolution of street art through the exhibition and the show�s series of live painting and installations created on-site by iconic names in the field, including Felipe Pantone from Spain and Eko Nugroho from Indonesia. Nearly a dozen artists will be taking over the galleries to create new works especially for the show. This is as close as you can get to witnessing art history in the making!
For more information, visit http://www.marinabaysands.com/museum/art-from-the-streets.html#CguQLYsllvLFoXrc.97
Also check out: While you�re there, visit the Future World exhibition. Immerse yourself in the Crystal Universe, an art installation with 170,000 LED lights that resemble stars � an Instagram-worthy corner no doubt!
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The Parkview Museum
Where: (600 North Bridge Road,Parkview Square Level 3)
What: The Artist�s Voice
When: 18 November 2017�18 March 2018
The lowdown: A journey through time as seen through the works of 34 contemporary artists from various countries and across different generations, including Serbian Marina Abramovic and South Korean Chun Sung-Myung.
Why it�s worth your time: The works on display symbolise the human experience and show the capacity of contemporary art as a medium to convey messages of truth and ethical values among others. It�s an emotional, complex, sometimes disturbing show that puts the spotlight on the imaginary worlds created by the greatest artists of our time � you�ll be moved by their powerful expressions.
For more information, visit https://www.parkviewmuseum.com/
Also check out: The installation Door of Memory, which is part of The Artist�s Voice, is lights and symmetry at its best � perfect for that Instagram snapshot. Take the date up a notch higher and end the day with a tipple at Parkview Square�s breathtaking ATLAS bar.
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National Gallery Singapore
Where: 1 St Andrew's Rd
What: Century of Light
When: 16 November 2017�11 March 2018
The lowdown: This show features two exhibitions, Colours of Impressionism: Masterpieces from the Mus�e d'Orsay, and Between Worlds: Raden Saleh and Juan Luna, featuring major works from these two Southeast Asian painters.
Why it�s worth your time: You don�t need an air ticket to get a taste of European Impressionism and beautiful French landscapes � Colours of Impressionism features more than 60 masterpieces from the renowned collection of the Muse�e d�Orsay, Paris, including important works by Monet, Renoir, Manet and C�zanne. You�ll also have the chance to see the works from different chapters in the lives of Saleh and Luna � an unprecedented collection of more than 80 of their works, starting from their humble beginnings in Indonesia and the Philippines, respectively, to their training in Europe.
For more information, visit https://www.nationalgallery.sg/see-do/highlights/century-of-light
Also check out: Get lost inside untitled 2018, the second instalment in the Ng Teng Fong Roof Garden Commission series. It is a large-scale bamboo maze with a Japanese teahouse at its centre that plays with light, architecture and spaces wonderfully.