Don’t Miss Out On Singapore Night Festival 2018’s Action-Packed Line-Up  

We’re going to start off by saying that you might regret it if you don’t make it this year, because there’ll be a lot of funky and cool things to expect. Think a whole smorgasbord of performances and installations, featuring both local AND international artists.

Singapore Night Festival will run from 17 – 25 August this year at the Bras Basah Bugis precinct, and it invites all of us to Bring on the Night. By all, it really does mean everyone. We love that this year’s festival will include creators from different fields and backgrounds, going beyond just the arts sectors alone. We’re talking about collaborations with physicists and engineers as we see a melding of technology and art. Basically, it’s a celebration of the arts by people from various walks (like a deliberate, artful rojak).

Back for its 11^th year running, there will be a total of 16 light installations located at various pockets around Singapore’s heritage and art district. Also, from the 23 -25 August, there will also be a total of 27 performances that run the gamut of genres and arts disciplines. There’s also food of course, among everything else. It’s only a pity that we can’t be in two places at once.

Buzzing yet? Here are some highlights to look forward to.

Graffiti Alive by Arup Singapore

Alley of Armenian Street
, 17 – 25 August 2018 ; 7.30pm – 12.00am

Ok. This one is just SO cool. This installation is all about Street Art in the dark with RBG spotlights and integrated motion sensors. Motion sensors pick up each motion, and illuminate features on the mural that makes it seem as if these walls are alive. It sounds to us a pretty immersive experience, and a really innovative way to celebrate local street art.

Odyssey, Arnaud Pottier & Thimothée Mironneau (WB Show)

Singapore Art Museum Facade,  17 – 25 August 2018 ; 7.30pm – 12.00am

The Singapore Art Museum will once again be transformed by light projections that take us through time and space, and multiple cosmic landscapes. It’s beautiful, fun and also just awe-inspiring. It also sounds like a good plan to grab some friends and gape at this installation just because it’s so aesthetic.

World of WearableArtTM

National Design Centre, Atrium 17 – 25 August 2018 ; 7.30pm – 12.00am

This one’s for the funky fashion gurus. The installation stems from an international design competition, World of WearableArtTM, that attracts over a hundred entries from more than 40 countries. Their alumni include famous designers like Maria Tsopanaki and Dimitri Mavinis, who design for Lady Gaga, the Black Eyed Peas and Jessie J.

Eight finalist works will be showcased, and among these is one by Singapore-based designer Galina Mihaleva, the first shortlisted entry from Singapore, with her piece called the Life Pulse (Biological Micro-universe).

Light Wave by Max Lab Pte Ltd

Reflection Pool above Bras Basah MRT,  17 – 25 August 2018; 7.30pm – 12.00am

Inspired by how energy is transmitted, play with these light rods and watch the rainbow lighting dance and flow on the edge of the water.

Ember Rain by Starlight Alchemy

Cathay Green, 17 – 25 August 2018; 7.30pm – 12.00am

This interactive sculpture allows you to create ember rain while pedalling on a bicycle. Inspired by the human mind, the sparks represent an innovative spirit and the fire of ideation, while the lotus-shaped petals symbolise the flow of “rebirth, purity and beauty of ideas flowing through space”.

Before The Word by Pierre Ranzini & Cristina Di Pasqual

CHIJMES, 17 – 25 August 2018 ; 7.30pm – 12.00am

Before The Word by Pierre Ranzini and Cristina Di Pasquali explores the question of how we can become united through language with this piece. It symbolises various human civilisations coming together, just like our melting pot of culture.

Aquatic Dream by Lekker Design and Auditoire

National Museum of Singapore Lawn, 17 – 25 August 2018 ; 7.30pm – 12.00am

Watch the lawn transform into a forest beneath a sea. This glowing installation brings its audience from the Artic Ocean to Coral Gardens, and into the Volcanic Sea.

The Search by The Search Party

National Design Centre, Design Gallery 1, 17 – 25 August 2018; 7.30pm – 12.00am

The Search by The Search Party utilises the symbol of paper planes, a familiar childhood object to represent our individual searches and journeys for self-discovery. This will be accompanied by a soundscape “The Autumn Journey” by Eric Choryoku, Singapore-based composer and pianist.

Presented in collaboration with 3M, this installation emulates the solar system. A massive light beam representing the sun in the middle is surrounded by other planets that feature retroreflective materials on their surfaces. As you walk and look at them from various angles, these patterns change!

The Leap of Faith by Teng Kai Wei

Handy Road open space (outside The Cathay), 17 – 25 August 2018 ; 7.30pm – 12.00am

This structure holds an endearing meaning, which is to have faith in taking the first step to explore the unknown. Created by Teng Kai Wei, it’s a reflection of a bold decision done in good faith — he himself left the office life to become a full-time artist. This interactive work lights up with encouraging words when you interact with it. You can’t help but feel for this one.

Hyperbands by kopI/O

LTA Walkway next to SMRT HQ,  17 – 25 August 2018 ; 7.30pm – 12.00am

The energy of our fast-paced and dynamic city are captured in this structure that utilises computational fabrication and adaptive sensors to create this flowing ribbon.

Splendour by Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA)
NAFA Campus 1, 17 – 25 August 2018; 7.30pm – 12.00am

That’s not even all to it. Apart from these light installations, there will also be a slew of performances taking place from the 23 -25 August so grab your friends… and some popcorn. Firstly, we gotta say that it’s wise to take note of these performance timings to avoid disappointment.

Automatarium by David Berga

Queen Street (SAM Courtyard), 23 – 25 August 2018 ; 8.00pm – 9.00pm; 10.00pm – 11.00pm

Watch as this installation comes to life, quite literally speaking. Inspired by coin-activated automatons found in the late 19th- early 20th century, all you have to do is to insert a coin, and watch as this mini circus come to life as performers start mimicking these automatons.

Sure to please adrenaline junkies, this year’s Pro-Wrestling Collective pays homage to Singapore’s arcade scene in the mid-90s. It’s pro wrestling, but apparently comes in the form of a live-action arcade game.

You’re going to love this one. Su a Feu is presented by Basque company Deabru Beltzak in collaboration with homegroen Bateria group MOTUS. A combination of dance, rhythm and also fire, this street percussion performance is a highly energetic one… that probably also re-defines what #lit is.

The Duel by Lords of Lightning

Cathay Green, 23 – 25 August 2018; 7.45pm – 7.51pm; 9.15pm – 9.21pm; 10.30pm – 10.36pm

Come witness a lightning duel shot from one body to another. It already sounds incredulous , but hey — it’s science. This piece is inspired by Nikola Tesla’s work, Lords of Lightning. The performance is a joint one between scientist Carlos van Camp and Arcadia from the UK.

 

Singapore’s FIRST urban dance company will be taking the stage. The interesting thing to note about this dance troupe is that they perform site-specific spaces in the hopes of attempting to re-define spaces (which includes open spaces and grass spots, just to name a couple). Elements, the piece which they will perform at the festival will hinge on the theme of water, as part of the elements — water, air, fire and earth.

FierS à Cheval by Compagnie des Quidams
National Museum of Singapore to Campus Green, 23 – 25 August 2018
Route 1 (Capitol Singapore): 7.45pm – 8.15pm
Route 2 (NMS – SMU Campus Green): 9.15pm – 9.45pm
Route 3 (SMU Campus Green – Queen Street): 10.30pm – 11.00pm

Science-fiction Venetians. Strange characters that transform into glowing horses. A fantastical, dream-like world. This wonderfully unique performance will not only feature these interesting characters but original music creations. Compagnie des Quidams itself has performed in more than 40 countries, and pools together a rich pool of talent from theatre, dance, circus and musical backgrounds. That’s how you know you’re in for a treat.

Hidden Depths by School of Dance and Theatre, LASALLE College of the ArtsEmber Rain by Starlight Alchemy

National Museum of Singapore Lawn, 23 – 25 August 2018;  8.30pm – 9.00pm; 10.00pm – 10.30pm

#Supportlocal!! Taking inspiration from the structure and movement of different deep sea creatures, this piece is put together by students from the Dance programmes of LASALLE’s School of Dance and Theatre, and is directed by Melissa Quek.

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Other performances, like Let there be ____ by EV Dance and Hope Technik will also take place.

23 August 2018: 8.30pm – 8.45pm (Queen Street); 10.00pm – 10.15pm (LTA Walkway next to SMRT HQ)
24 & 25 August 2018: 8.35pm – 8.50pm (Queen Street); 10.00pm – 10.15pm (LTA Walkway next to SMRT HQ)

This piece melds technology and the arts, in having jazz performers don a special suit designed by local engineering company Hope Technik called the ‘Audra Exoskeleton’ which helps workers with lifting heavy weights.

The entire Singapore Night Festival just sounds to us a one-stop hub for a good time. Also, this year’s festival is apparently going to be more engaging and interactive than ever before! Apart from these, you can also look forward to the Festival Village, held at SMU Campus Green from 23 – 25 August. Expect local acts, shopping (!!!), and of course, a variety of food options (it ain’t a party without the food).

Of course, this list isn’t entirely exhaustive, so the only way to experience everything for yourself is to head on down on those dates.

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SINGAPORE NIGHT FESTIVAL 2018:  17 – 25 August 2018
From 7.30pm to 12am at various locations around the Bras Basah, Bugis area.
Night light installations: 17-25 August
Performances: 23 – 25 August at various timings. 

Check out Singapore Night Festival here and visit www.nhb.gov.sg for more information. 

Banner images taken from Compagnie des Quidams, NHB and Pablo Urkiola respectively (left to right).