Inspired by the carefree spirit of childhood, visitors of all ages can learn more about contemporary art with a childlike perspective in a playful and interactive way
Venue: Gallery 2, Singapore Art Museum at Tanjong Pagar Distripark
Dates: From 20 July
Admission: Free
Established as part of the Singapore Art Museum’s continued support of art education, the Learning Gallery invites you to look deeper and immerse yourself in the artworks and interactive activities to form authentic and personal connections with the artworks.
What’s Inside The Learning Gallery
Visitors may embrace their childlike spirit even before entering the gallery. Starting from the outside, adult visitors will be greeted by a letter addressed to their inner child, prompting them to approach the exhibition with an open mind and tap into the formative experiences of their childhood. After entering the gallery, they are invited to experience the artworks in their own special way.
The gallery is designed as an escape from the rapid pace and complexity of modern life with a low-stimulation and calm environment which makes it ideal for visitors to reflect and focused on learning.
While exploring the room, visitors can find a comfy space furnished with bean bags to relax, read, and enjoy a variety of books for all ages. Additionally, inside the gallery, there is an interactive wall that transforms and reacts to the unique touch of each visitor.
Just before the gallery exit, visitors are encouraged to express their feelings after experiencing the artworks by writing letters to themselves. This activity aims to help visitors connect with and reflect on their inner selves.
Featured Artworks Inside The Gallery
The learning gallery features five artworks by notable local and regional artists that have been specially selected from the National Collection or commissioned to extend the learning of contemporary art to all ages. The selected artworks will also be refreshed annually to introduce new perspectives and insights each time.
Each artwork inside the gallery span various media and diverse forms of presentation with different themes such as home, nature and the environment, people, places, memory and time. The purpose is to raise important and timely questions about what it means to live in contemporary times.
Near every artwork, visitors can find separate sets of wall text designed both for children and adults, making sure all the visitors able to have the same experience. Now let's look deeper into the artworks.
An installation view made by the Cultural Medallion recipient, Han Sai Por, called Black Forest. It tells about a destroyed “forest” of charcoal logs that reflects her interest in the impact of human activities on the natural world. It presents an evocative image of the harmful effects of deforestation, while also highlighting nature’s resilience against catastrophe.
Another artwork is a series of photographs that captures quiet, everyday scenes in Singapore. Captured by Nguan, this installation named Untitled, from the series 'Singapore', it conveys palpable feelings of alienation and nostalgia, the work prompts reflection on the realities of modern life in our homeland.
Another installation view comes from Migrant Ecologies Project, {if your bait can sing the wild ones will come} Like Shadows Through Leaves. It captures a distinct sense of place, specifically of Tanglin Halt, one of Singapore’s oldest social housing estates that runs alongside a former railway track. Showcasing repeated visits to the site, the film traces the remaining fragments of calls, echoes, shadows and memories that still animate the space as it undergoes drastic urban transformation.
Visitors will also encounter Tang Da Wu’s 深疤凰 SEMBAWANG, which was inspired by the “tok-tok bird” or large-tailed nightjar species that made nightly visits to the area near The Artists Village when it was located in Sembawang, making its presence known with its distinct “tok-tok” call. Featuring diamond-shaped mirrors that represent its tears, the work portrays the avian as a triumphant creature emerging from the ashes of its rebirth.
And, the Learning Gallery features artwork by Julian Abraham “Togar” called A Gesture which extends Togar’s exploration of the act of listening. The work is conveyed sonically through sounds that resemble a person clearing one’s throat or whispers of “sssttt” sounds in varying tones.
While the artist is interested in the differences in how people interpret these sounds depending on their cultural background, experiences and knowledge, Togar also tests how sensitive audiences are to a sonic work in a room with other visually tangible pieces.
Join Fun Activities at The Opening Carnival
All visitors are invited to participate at the Opening Carnival of The Learning Gallery that will take place on 20 July 2024 from 10 AM to 4 PM. Not only you can immerse yourself by exploring the gallery, you can also enjoy traditional games, art activities, and free childhood snacks!
Visitors can also collect a free activity guide to interact with the artwork and get a "Stick with SAM" sticker book with a special design set of stickers that inspired by the artworks in the Learning Gallery itself.
Come spend your weekend with the kids and have fun while learning! Don't miss out.
Image Credits: Singapore Art Museum
