By Tanya Ee, Edited by Sng Ler Jun
Even though National Day is over, we are still busking in the post-National Day Parade festivities. And in case you are looking for something fun to do this month, check out this new public art trail “Benchmarks” in town!
Taking centrestage are six site-specific art benches designed by local artists scattered around the sunny island’s Civic District, “Benchmarks” draws inspiration from the sights within the heritage district to tell remarkable stories and ignite meaningful discourse behind some of Singapore’s artists.
Akin to punctuation marks that guide everyday conversations, the artworks flow naturally from one to the other, offering rest stops for visitors to pause, enjoy and reflect on the history and cultural significance of the location.
Suggested Route
Begin the trail starts outside the Art House with the installation “This is Not a Bench”, which is situated behind Victoria Concert Hall and a 5-minute walk away from City Hall MRT. The above illustration shows the full map of the 6-spot art trail.
This is Not a Bench by Lua Boon Kai
Location: In front of The Arts House Annexe Building
Redefining the preconceived notions of the form and function of a singular bench, the artwork invites participants to explore varied sitting positions such as leaning, draping, or even hugging – resembling the versatility of the arts and culture precinct with many heritage buildings being used as sites for arts and cultural activity. This bench also saw school involvement from six students selected by Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA)’s Special Project Unit.
A Micropolyphonic Stage by Joyce Beetuan Koh
Location: Near Raffles Landing site, along the Singapore River
Inspired by her performances within the iconic performance venues in the district, this transformative piece serves as a bench inspired by a stage for live performance, offering a space to seek solace while absorbing the natural soundscape of the precinct. Embellished with braille markings that spell the phrase ‘to understand is to become’, Koh’s bench invites people of all abilities to experience and express their microcosmos and collective memories, providing a space for personal contemplation and shared experiences.
Restore / Neural Artefact Black by Immanuel Koh
Location: Near Asian Civilisations Museum and Privé
Embedding stories of the precinct through thoughtfully chosen materials, this artwork which is situated near the Asian Civilisations Museum uses artificial intelligence to regenerate a recycled bench using upcycled wood from sources including an old sampan. The work referenced artefacts from the archives of the Asian Civilisations Museum via 3D scanning and responds to the Singapore River‘s role in the city-state's development and how it is ever-changing with new urban developments and activity.
all the King’s men by Yang Jie
Location: Along Queen Elizabeth Walk
The work re-imagines the Singapore Stone, one of the 11 National Treasures of Singapore, through thick slabs of weathered granite that have been pieced together inspired by the traditional kintsugi techniques used in pottery.
Sayang! Satay Sayang! by Jeffrey Tan
Location: Esplanade Playground
Paying homage to the now-demolished Esplanade Satay Club, the work invites participants to gather once again to be transported back to the memories of the bustling food centre and the stories that lie within.
#iykyk by Jason Wee
Location: Esplanade, near Jubilee Bridge
With The Esplanade being known as a place of gathering for both young and old, the work serves as a playful double entendre, reflecting the challenges in intergenerational communication. Jason Wee’s #iykyk art bench is a visual representation of the acronym written out in Morse code – a playful mix of two codes that originate in two different centuries, alternating between the familiar and unfamiliar to different generations.
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If you are finding areas to rest in town or up for exploring the city, why not rediscover Singapore’s Civic district with this new public art trail? For the month of August, several buildings including the Asian Civilisations Museum, Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, The Arts House, Victoria Theatre & Victoria Concert Hall, and National Gallery Singapore will also be lit up in red and white as part of the National Day Light Up from 28 July to 25 August 2023.
Meanwhile, Happy 58th Birthday Singapore!
