The Jubilee Walk Exclusive Tour

National Museum of Singapore.

Created to mark Singapore's Golden Jubilee in 2015, the Jubilee Walk is a specially curated trail of iconic sites. The Jubilee Walk recalls Singapore's history, her path towards nationhood and presents Singapore's present and future as a global city.

Thanks to the invitation of the National Heritage Board, I had the opportunity to attend the Jubilee Walk Exclusive Tour on 30 Jan 2016. The exclusive Jubilee Walk guided tour treated us to a tour of various sites of the Jubilee Walk led by Jubilee Walk Researcher, Marcus Ng. This exclusive Jubilee Walk covers more sites than the normal upcoming Jubilee Walk tours which would cover five sites.

The National Museum of Singapore is starting point of the Jubilee Walk. This building is Singapore's first purpose-built museum. Our guide, Marcus Ng, shared with us the history of the building, weaving in a few of Singapore's key milestones since 1823.

One of my favourite locations of the Jubilee Walk is the Fort Canning Park. Being close to Nature and listening to our guide traced a glimpse of Singapore's history to as early as the 14th century had brought a lot of delight. Be prepared for an adventurous and intriguing walk. I was reminded that the current Fort Canning Hill was the site of the first Botanical Gardens in Singapore.

Flower-head of Parkia timoriana.

Our knowledgeable and eloquent guide led the group to more sites along the Jubilee Walk. Along the way, the markers of the Jubilee Walk marked the trail. These Jubilee Walk's markers reminded of the brick markers of the Freedom Trail in Boston, United States of America.

The Jubilee Walk Exclusive Tour brought us to learn about sites such as the current Singapore Philatelic Museum and the Peranakan Museum. Participants also learnt about the influence of the Armenian community as the tour led us nearby the Armenian Apostolic Church of St Georgy The Illuminator.

Singapore Philatelic Museum to the left.

It was interesting to listen to a few of the participants in the tour group sharing their personal anecdotes of their experiences growing up nearby sites of the Jubilee Walk. I felt I was being transported to a moment in the past as I listened attentively to their personal accounts.

Hill Street Fire Station.

After the Old Hill Street Police Station, the participants of our tour group were greeted by the Singapore River. The Singapore River was yet another favourite sites of the Jubilee Walk of mine. As we strolled along the Singapore River, our tour guide reminded us of the critical issue of water survival for Singapore and highlighted the sites along the Jubilee Walk that present the significance of water issue for Singapore.

Singapore River.

Fullerton Building.

During the tour, our tour guide revealed that the overall themes of the Jubilee Walk were that of change and continuity. He pointed us to examples that demonstrated these themes. My mind pictured how people from all walks of life have worked together to transform Singapore and to ensure its continuity. As I walked along the Jubilee Walk, I reflected what have changed and what have continued over time.

The Jubilee Walk Exclusive Tour will be a 2-hour walk that is worthy of consideration for anyone who is interested in celebrating the milestones that Singapore has achieved over the years, and to gain a sense of Singapore's present and future.

For more information of the Jubilee Walk Exclusive Tour, please visit these links:
http://www.nhb.gov.sg/places/trails/jubilee-walk/jubilee-walk-overview
http://www.nhb.gov.sg/places/trails/jubilee-walk/jubilee-walk-exclusive-tour

In addition, you can download Singapore Timewalk on IOS and Apple Store prior to the tour. It is best to download Singapore Timewalk (178MB) using wifi. For a preview of the app, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_9FIXLhB0Q

Singapore Nights Festival 2015 - Glitz and Glamour

Singapore Night Festival 2015
Image credit: ©Belinda Tan
Many thanks to Belinda Tan for giving permission to use this set of photos.

This year is Singapore's Golden Jubilee. To celebrate Singapore's 50th year of independence, the Singapore Night Festival this year is set to be on a celebratory and dazzling mood. There will be an exciting line-up of performances, aerial displays and light installations that will transform the festival grounds of the Bras Basah, Bugis district into an iconic night-time extravaganza of arts, culture and festivity. Bask in the Glitz and Glamour of the nights!

With a great variety of festival programmes, night lights and many other events happening over the two upcoming weekends, i.e. Fridays and Saturdays, 21 and 22 Aug, 28 and 29 Aug 2015, which will be the ones will be worthy to check out with our loved ones and friends?

Here are my picks that will be appealing to most of us:

Fields in Bloom.

Fields in Bloom
By School of the Arts (Singapore)
21 Aug to 29 Aug 2015
7.30 p.m. to 11.00 p.m. (Sun - Thu)
7.30 p.m. to 2.00 a.m. (Fri and Sat)
School of the Arts (SOTA), West Plaza Steps

Some of the most beautiful objects on Earth are made of the simplest and most common kind of material. This light installation is an interactive night light in which visitors will be invited to shine UV-torchlight on the paper flowers have been painted with glow-in-light paint. Fields in Bloom seeks to inspire a sense of wonder and enchantment within a harsh concrete environment.

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SPARK!
One of their roving performances. At Armenian Street.

Singapore Night Festival 2015
SPARK! By World Beaters Music LLP (UK)

Image credit: ©Belinda Tan

SPARK!
By World Beaters Music LLP (UK)
21 Aug and 22 Aug 2015

Roving Performance begins at School of the Arts (SOTA)
School of the Arts (SOTA) steps: 7.30 p.m. - 7.50 p.m.,
Singapore Management University, Campus Green/ Festival Village: 8.30 p.m. - 8.45 p.m.,
Armenian Street: 9.30 p.m. - 9.50 p.m.,
National Museum of Singapore: 11.10 p.m. - 11.30 p.m.
(Performance times are approximate)

For music lovers who love to be on the move, please join five mysterious characters made of light and sound on an immersive journey through the festival grounds. These drummers will be dressed in fascinating LED light to interact with the audience. Expect a performance involving high-impact drumming, exuberant music, beautiful lighting design, dynamic choreography and dazzling costumes. How far will you be able to follow them through their journey?

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The Garden of Fire and Light
Starlight Alchemy
Singapore Art Museum Front Lawn

Photo credit: ©Ng Cheng Kiang
Starlight Alchemy.
Singapore Night Festival 2015.
Many thanks to Ng Cheng Kiang for giving me permission to use this beautifully taken photo.

The Garden of Fire and Light
By Starlight Alchemy
21 and 22 Aug 2015
8.00 p.m., 9.30 p.m., 11.00 p.m.
Singapore Art Museum, Front Lawn

Fire, LED light and the magic of choreography - all these elements combined with a variety of aerial and large custom-made fire props and LED technology performance props to bring together spectacular performances by the Starlight Alchemy.

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A Little Nonya's Dream.
Photo Credit: ©Belinda Tan

A Little Nonya's Dream
By Brandon Tay (Singapore), Stéphanie Ronzon (France) and Fred Multier (France)
7.30 p.m. to 11.00 p.m. (Sun - Thu)
7.30 p.m. to 2.00 a.m. (Fri and Sat)
National Museum of Singapore, The Salon, Level 1

This night light is an enduring pop-up projection mapping that appears as an 'open book' in a dark room. This installation tells of the dreams of the Nonya girl through the animations by three different animators. I like the background music too.

Tip: This is best appreciated when there are less than fifty people in The Salon. We will be in great luck if there are less than ten persons in The Salon to savour this miniature night light together.

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The Anooki Celebrate Singapore

The Anooki Celebrate Singapore
By David Passegand and Moetu Batlle (France)
21 Aug to 29 Aug 2015
7.30 p.m. to 11.00 p.m. (Sun - Thu)
7.30 p.m. to 2.00 a.m. (Fri and Sat)
National Museum of Singapore, Façade

In the tropical climate of Singapore, would there be times when we have wishful-thinking that we could be in the icy cold Arctic? In this night light installation, the Anooki, the world's smallest and adorable Inuits come to the National Museum of Singapore to celebrate Singapore's 50th year of independence with their dances and songs. The Anooki reminded me of this key-word: resilience.

Tip for visitors with young children and visitors who prefer to stay away from the crowd: Consider checking out this night light installation from 23 - 27 Aug 2015, 7.30 p.m. to 11.00 p.m. instead. It is expected that there will be less of a crowd from 23 - 27 Aug 2015. This would mean that your family will be more likely to enjoy this heartwarming night light installation at your own pace. Bring along a picnic-mat to lie down and enjoy The Anooki Celebrate Singapore.

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Pixels Wave 2015.
National Design Centre.

Pixels Wave 2015
By Miguel Chevalier (France) with Carolyn Kan and Depression (Singapore)
21 Aug to 29 Aug 2015
7.30 p.m. to 11.00 p.m. (Sun - Thu)
7.30 p.m. to 2.00 a.m. (Fri and Sat)
National Design Centre, Atrium Level 1
111 Middle Road

The festival seems to love the idea of magic. The giant light carpet inside the National Design Centre featuring multi-coloured graphic scenes and geometric patterns that react to visitor movement and interaction will transport visitors to a brand new world. I am reminded of the 1001 nights from Arabian Nights. Do not be alarmed if the kaleidoscopic floor feels as if it was shifting. This is optical illusion at work.

Tip: Take a lift up to the 3rd level of the National Design Centre and enjoy a view of Pixels Wave from a greater height.

Pixels Wave 2015.

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In addition to the above-mentioned picks, please customize and design your own Singapore Night Festival 2015 itinerary by browsing through the Singapore Night Festival 2015's festival website: http://nightfest.sg

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Eat@Festival Village
SMU Green
21 Aug and 22 Aug 2015
28 Aug and 29 Aug 2015
SMU Campus Green

Nomad - The Gallant will be serving specialty coffee at the Singapore Night Festival.
Find them at Stall #11 at Eat and Shop @Festival Village, SMU Green.
One of the best way to stay awake throughout the night is to treat ourselves to a cup of specialty coffee.

For people who would like to treat themselves with dinner or supper before they embark on a Singapore Night Festival's adventure, please take note that there will be a series of food and beverage as well as merchandise stalls at the Festival Village at the Singapore Management University (SMU), Campus Green from 6.00 p.m. to 2.00 a.m. during the two weekends of the Singapore Night Festival 2015. So it could help to start the journey from Bras Basah MRT station for friends who are taking public transport.

Healthy and Hearty Salads, Wraps and Greens from SWAG.
SWAG offers various varieties of salads and wraps, including wraps and salads for the vegetarians.
The wraps will be prepared upon order.
Find Swag at Stall #4 at SMU, Campus Green. Eat and Shop@Festival Village.

Spinacas
For Nachos and Meaty Nachos.
At SMU, Campus Green. Eat and Shop@Festival Village.

More information on Eat@Festival Village can be found here: http://nightfest.sg/festivals-programmes/programmes/festival-village-eat-and-shop

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Singapore Night Festival 2015
21 Aug and 22 Aug 2015
28 Aug and 29 Aug 2015
Free admission
http://nightfest.sg
https://www.facebook.com/brasbasahbugis

Zone 1: National Museum of Singapore (The main festival zone)
Zone 2: Armenian Street (The edgy and experimental festival zone where music, song and dance take centre stage)
Zone 3: House of Glamour (An eclectic mix of ticketed local performances on Cathay Green)
Zone 4: Festival Village (Local bands, buskers, flea market and pop-up food kiosks)
Zone 5: SAM and Queen Street (The artistic activities gather here)

Festival Tip: Choose one or two zones from this year's Singapore Night Festival 2015 and focus on enjoying what the zone/s has to offer for the night. After which, visit the Singapore Night Festival on another night to check out another zone.

Festival Tip #2: Travel by public transport, especially by MRT train, as there will be road closure and slow traffic on the roads of the vicinity. The nearby MRT stations are: Bras Basah, Dhoby Ghaut and City Hall.

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You could also read the following blogs and websites which write about the Singapore Night Festival 2015:

Bellaella's Inspirational and Exploration

The Long and Winding Road, by Jerome Lim: Inuits will paint the town red this weekend

Photojournalist, by Jinghui: Singapore Night Festival 2015 -21st and 22nd Aug

Vanessa Mostafa's Night Festival 2015 Singapore - featuring World Beaters Music LLP

Cheekie Monkies' Top Picks of Singapore Night Festival for Families

Dejiki's Singapore Night Festival

The Smart Local's 10 Reasons You Must Visit The Singapore Night Festival This Year

Coconuts Singapore's Singapore Night Festival 2015: 10 Showcases you have to catch this weekend and next

Sassy Singapore's Singapore Night Fest 2015

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Credits:

Specially thanks to National Heritage Board for the invitation to the media preview of the Singapore Night Festival. Lots of thanks to Ms Belinda Tan and Mr Ng Cheng Kiang for their beautifully taken photographs and for granting me permission to share their photographs on this post.

A Changed World: Singapore Art 1950s - 1970s

A few months ago, I had the pleasure to visit the National Museum of Singapore several times to view an exhibition that features over 120 paintings, drawings, prints and sculptures from the National Collection. This exhibition, A Changed World: Singapore Art 1950s - 1970s, will be ending soon.

Essentially, the exhibition A Changed World: Singapore Art 1950s - 1970s is a survey of Singapore art from the period 1950s - 1970s. During this period after the war, Singapore underwent significant political, economical and social changes. The urban landscape of Singapore also went through much changes. The exhibition showed how various artists have responded to the many changes through their art.

At this exhibition, there are audio dialogues that discussed some of the selected artworks and the artists. Having listened to a few of them, I have found that the audio dialogues have been successful in engaging the visitors to reflect more deeply on the various selected artworks and the changes that had taken place during the specified period. Do not leave this exhibition without listening to at least one of the audio dialogues please.

Ng Eng Teng's Mother and Twins.

Many of the artworks looked familiar to me. I have either read about them previously in books on Singapore art or seen them at another exhibition. Ng Eng Teng's Mother and Twins left a fairly strong impression on me because it was one of the few sculptures on display at this exhibition. This piece of sculpture somehow radiated an endearing quality. Do you feel that this sculpture speaks to the viewer with love?

Lim Hak Tai's Indian Workers Clearing the Jungle is probably a familiar artwork for anyone interested in the Nanyang style of art. This work is historically significant from the art history perspective so do not leave the exhibition without catching a glimpse of it.

Wee Beng Chong's Conflict and Tan Ping Chiang's Music.

A pair of works that stood side by side of each other also caught my eyes. These were Wee Beng Chong's Conflict (1978) and Tan Ping Chiang's Music (1979). While I do not think they were created to be placed next to each other, they do look very compatible when they were put together. Don't you think?

Lai Kui Fang's Construction of Sheares Bridge aptly documented a snapshot from a time in the past. So that was how Singapore had looked like before Sheares Bridge was completed! What a lot of changes that Singapore has undergone!

The many paintings inspired by the Singapore River also revealed the drastic changes that Singapore has underwent during the period 1950s - 1970s. Gone are the bumboats that brought goods and wares to the quay.

There is a cosy corner in this exhibition whereby visitors could sit down to learn more about the art from 1950s - 1970s. Even if you do not intend to browse through the materials, the cosy seats will entice you to.

See the changes that Singapore has underwent through this exhibition. The good news is that admission to this exhibition is free.

*****
A Changed World: Singapore Art 1950s - 1970s
National Museum of Singapore
Exhibition Gallery 2, Basement
25 Oct 2013  - 16 Mar 2014
10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Free admission

A Sneak Preview of the Singapore Night Festival

Companie Retouramont.

The Singapore Night Festival is back again! Treat your senses to a nocturnal extravaganza of spectacular aerial performances, music, dance, installation artworks and spectacular interactive light installations on the nights of 23, 24, 30, 31 Aug 2013.

Whether you are more interested in stunning outdoor performances, art and light installations, free admission into the museums, intimate indoor performances or simply spend some out in the night with your families and friends, there will be something for everyone during this year's Singapore Night Festival.

For the art community in Singapore, the Singapore Night Festival provides a platform for local artists to showcase their works and to collaborate with international artists. With the renaming of the Night Festival to the Singapore Night Festival, this year's festival is positioned to garner international attention.

Here is a sneak preview of some of the highlights for this coming weekend (Fri 23 Aug and Sat 24 Aug):

Onmoonbeings by Singapierrot.
Photo courtesy of Jinha Kim Photography.

Onmoonbeings
by Singapierrot
Fri 23 and Sat 24 Aug 2013
7.30 p.m., 8.45 p.m. and 10.00 p.m.
Armenian Street

If a whimsical and poetic touch of romance is what you may crave for, be sure to make time to watch two soulful Singaporean jesters Roy Payamal and Ng Xi Jie's performance, Onmoonbeings. The duo will be dressed in plastics. They simply looked like the modern incarnations of Pierrot play.

The storyline is essentially about two jesters descending from a crescent moon and exploring the land. Witness how the jesters create meaning as they explore the wistful dark corners of our soul. I was drawn to the primitive, whimsical yet playful mood of the performance.

For the lovers of live music, this performance is very likely to delight. The performance of Onmoonbeings will be accompanied live by gypsy-swing jazz duo So Ma Fan.

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Vertical Extraction 
by Compagnie Retouramont
Fri 23 and Sat 24 Aug 2013
8.15 p.m., 9.30 p.m., and 10.45 p.m.
National Museum of Singapore facade

Vertical Extraction by Compagnie Retouramont.
Photo courtesy of Jinha Kim Photography.

Light projections, shadows play and aerial dancing on bungee cords combined in a mystical way in Compagnie Retouramont's Vertical Extraction. In this performance, acclaimed local artist and film-maker Victric Thng will collaborate and complement Vertical Extraction with a special video that he has produced.

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Pyramid of Void by Compagnie Retouramont. 

Pyramid of Void 
by Compagnie Retouramont
Fri 23 and Sat 24 Aug 2013
8.30 p.m., 9.45 p.m. and 11 p.m.
National Museum of Singapore facade

Perhaps choreographed for a crowd that is willing to bring themselves to a meditative and reflective state, Compagnie Retouramont's performance of Pyramid of Void is an aerial dance performance. A pyramid structure made of ropes is suspended in mid-air to outline the contours of an abstract void that is invisible to our eyes. The dancers dance in the air with the ropes as their only form of support.

The set is rather minimalist. Be awed by the physical agility and strength that will be required for the dancers to form a dialogue with the invisible pyramid. Perhaps Pyramid of Void challenges us to slow down and think about what is invisible and yet essential?

Pyramid of Void.
Photo courtesy of Jinha Photography.

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Water Light Graffiti by Antonin Fourneau.

Water Light Graffiti
by Antonin Fourneau
Outside Raffles City

Of particular interest to yours truly is Antonin Fourneau's Water Light Graffiti. Based on the idea of illumination, Water Light Graffit enables one to draw or write messages which appear as light against the wall of LEDs. What is the medium that is used to draw the light? It is water! I was simply intrigued by the possibilities that can be created on the wall. Check this out for yourself.

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Starlight Alchemy: Redux.
Photo courtesy of Jinha Kim Photography.

Starlight Alchemy: Redux
Fri 23 and Sat 24 Aug 2013
8.45 p.m. and 10 p.m. National Museum of Singapore
11.15 p.m. Armenian Street

Dramatic and full of amazing feats, be sure to watch Starlight Alchemy who will promise to entertain you with their unique feats using fire and LED lights. According to the festival guide, the final performance of each night will also include a free play and jam session where visitors to the Singapore Night Festival can try their hand at playing with the LED manipulation tools used by the artists. This is surely a great reason to stay up late for the Singapore Night Festival.

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ABSOLUT CANVAS
Fri 23 Aug and Sat 24 Aug,
Fri 30 and Sat 31 Aug: 7.00 p.m.
Sun 25 Aug - Mon 2 Sep 2013: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
National Museum of Singapore, Stamford Gallery

ABSOLUT CANVAS is an exhibition that showcases the ways in which ABSOLUT cultivates creativity and innovation. If you are lucky, you may find yourself acquainted with one of the ABSOLUT bottle collectors to learn about his special journey in collecting the bottles.

Throughout the four nights of the Singapore Night Festival, the exhibition will also play host to a pop-up bar serving both ABSOLUT VODKA and ABSOLUT ELYX. Visitors aged 18 years and above can experience three different cocktails that were created just for ABSOLUT CANVAS.

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In essence, experience the stretch of the Bras Brasah.Bugis precinct from Plaza Singapura to Raffles City turn into exciting venues featuring art, heritage and cultural events that can be enjoyed with our families and friends this weekend.

My personal recommendations for this weekend's Singapore Night Festival will be:

• Onmoonbeings by Singapierrot, 7.30 p.m., 8.45 p.m. and 10.00 p.m., Armenian Street, 
• Vertical Extraction by Compagnie Retouramont, 8.15 p.m., 9.30 p.m., and 10.45 p.m., National Museum of Singapore facade
• The Algebra of Need, Bamboo and Rope Light Installations by Knut Eckstein, Fri 23 Aug - Mon 23 Sep 2013, from 7.30 p.m. onwards at various locations within the festival grounds, including CHIJMES.
• Night Lights 2013, 7.30 p.m. - 2.00 a.m., Singapore Art Museum, Banyan Tree at National Museum of Singapore, The Cathay, School of the Arts and Raffles City.
• Starlight Alchemy: Redux, Fri 23 and Sat 24 Aug 2012, 8.45 p.m. and 10 p.m. National Museum of Singapore,11.15 p.m. Armenian Street.
• Late night free admission to Princely Treasures from the House of Liechtenstein, 7.00 p.m. - 2.00 a.m., National Museum of Singapore.

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SINGAPORE NIGHT FESTIVAL
Fri 23 and Sat 24 Aug 2013,
Fri 30 and Sat 31 Aug 2013.
7.00 p.m. - 2.00 a.m.
Free Admission
www.brasbasahbugis.sg/nightfestival
Download Official Map (pdf)
Download Official Guide (pdf)


Acknowledgements: Special thanks to the National Heritage Board for the invitation to the Media Preview of this weekend's Singapore Night Festival. Special thanks to Belinda Tan and Jinha Kim Photography for the permission to use some of their photographs, so beautifully taken. Note: Jinha Kim is the exclusive official photographer of the Singapore Night Festival 2013.

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Other media previews or related articles on the Singapore Night Festival:
Sights and sounds of Singapore Night Festival 2013 by Kevin Ho, inSing.com
Media preview of the Singapore Night Festival, Xinhuanet
Singapore Night Festival back for 6th year, Channel Newsasia
Singapore Night Festival 2013, lambentI2e
Singapore Night Festival 2013, TimeOut Singapore
Highlights of the Singapore Night Festival, Jerome Lim
Playing with Fire, Jerome Lim
Singapore Night Fest 2013 sneak peek, by Mayo Martin, Today Online
Singapore Night Festival Returns, by Lydia Vasko
Singapore Night Festival 2013 is back! by Jinghui, Photojournalist
Singapore Night Festival 2013 - Media Preview, by David Teo

My first visit to "Princely Treasures: From the House of Liechtenstein" exhibition

"Princely Treasures: From the House of Liechtenstein" is an exhibition that I have been waiting for. This exhibition is held at the National Museum of Singapore from 27 Jun - 29 Sep 2013.

I was excited to be one of its first few visitors when the exhibition open to the public on 27 Jun 2013. There was a considerable number of visitors at the exhibition even though it was a Thursday morning.

The exhibition has caught my interest because it features a selection of 91 masterpieces from the Liechtenstein Collections. The collections contain major works of European art spanning five centuries. It is among the most important private collections in the world. Some of these masterpieces are representative examples of High Renaissance, Baroque, Neo-classical art styles.

Given that the opportunities to travel overseas to see original masterpieces by brilliant artists has yet to be very easy for the average Singapore citizen, the exhibition allowed visitors like myself to appreciate first-hand the works of great masters such as Raphael, Rembrandt, Peter Paul Rubens, Canaletto, Waldmüller and so forth, without having to travel out of Singapore. I am feeling very thankful that Liechtenstein, The Princely Collections, the National Museum of Singapore with the support of various sponsors have made works of important European artists accessible to the people living in the Singapore.

Compared to art styles such as Impressionism and Post-Impressionism, I am less familiar with art styles such as High Renaissance and Baroque. When I was visiting this exhibition, I was especially intrigued to realize how Renaissance and Baroque art has in some ways influence the way people think about visual art.

Raphael's Portrait of a Man was the only work by Raphael that was featured in this exhibition. Yet, from the placement of this work and the marketing material, it was clear that this was one of the masterpieces that is being featured in this exhibition. This is also one of the works in this exhibition that was imprinted strongly in my visual memory. Somehow, Raphael has the gift of immortalising the sitter. The use of bold colours in the sitter's dressing against an atmospheric background in this painting seemed to have made the image of the sitter in this painting stick vividly in my mind.

Raphael's Portrait of a Man.

There are many other works in this exhibition that are worthy of mention. One of the works is Anthony Van Dyck's Portrait of Maria de Tassis. I was in awe at Van Dcyk's mastery of the art of portraiture. Notice how the lace and the folds of the fabric were being painted in Van Dyck's Portrait of Maria de Tassis and you are likely to be mesmerized like I was.

Accompanying this exhibition is a display of historical portrait paintings from Singapore's National Collection It was an interesting experience to compare and contrast the paintings from this section with the rest of the exhibition to appreciate the typical conventions of portrait painting between the late 19th century and mid 20th century.

It appears that Princely Treasures: From the House of Liechtenstein has a strong focus on portrait paintings. While this is possibly so, I do wish to stress that the artworks that are being exhibited in this exhibition ranges from paintings, prints, tapestries, sculptures to decorative art objects. Please do check out the decorative art objects in this exhibition. I have found a few of them extremely intriguing. I shall visit this exhibition again in the near future.

The guided tours will commence on 8 Jul 2013 (according to the exhibition's programme guide). Each guided tour will be limited to 15 participants per session on a first come, first served basis. The meeting point will be at the entrance to the exhibition galleries 1 and 2, at the basement of the National Museum of Singapore. The guided tours are subjected to the availability of the volunteer guides. Admission fee to the exhibition still applies. (Please take note that there will be no guided tours on 20 Jul, 21 Jul, 8 Aug, 9 Aug, 28 Sep and 29 Sep.)

Princely Treasures: From the House of Liechtenstein
27 Jun - 29 Sep 2013
National Museum of Singapore
93 Stamford Road
Singapore 178897
Opening hours: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. daily.
Admission: $10 per adult

Launch of the DVD: Eat to Live: Wartime Recipes

Many thanks to the invitation of the National Museum of Singapore, I had the pleasure to attend the launch of the DVD, Eat to Live: Wartime Recipes, in the morning of 7 Jun 2013 at the Gallery Theatre of the National Museum of Singapore. Member of Parliament, Christopher de Souze, was the Guest of Honour for the event.

The DVD, Eat to Live: Wartime Recipes, is commissioned by the National Museum of Singapore. It is directed and produced by local filmmakers Gozde and Russel Zehnder. The production is based on the book Wartime Kitchen: Food and Eating in Singapore 1942 - 1950 (2009, Editions Didier Millet Ptd Ltd and National Museum of Singapore). It reveals the practices of food rationing and the conditions of the unpredictable food supply during the Japanese Occupation in Singapore.

National Museum of Singapore. Taken in May 2013.

This DVD is a six episode documentary series. During the launch, the first two episodes of the documentary series were screened. Each episode features a demonstration of a wartime recipe by write and food consultant Christopher Tan. The food demonstrations were so well presented that I was yearning for food during the screening during the launch.

The Question and Answer session with the filmmakers gave me a glimpse of the challenges that were faced when producing this DVD. Perhaps one of the greatest challenges was finding willing and living interviewees who have experienced the Japanese Occupation of Singapore. I learnt that a few of the interviewees who had been interviewed for the book Wartime Kitchen: Food and Eating in Singapore 1942 - 1950 had passed on by the time the production team started filming for Eat to Live: Wartime Recipes. It seemed even more critical to produce this documentary series as soon as we can so as to document a turbulent episode of history for future generations to remember.

Watching Eat to Live: Wartime Recipes reminded me that my generation is very blessed to live in a time when there is generally abundant access to food. During the Japanese Occupation of Singapore from 1942 to 1945, the common people has to cope with food rationing and limited food supply. As I watched the documentary series, I feel grateful that I have everything that I need in my life.

Interesting, I realized that we in Singapore have been quite dependent on sources of food which are exported from outside Singapore. The documentary series reminded me that we as a community will have to start thinking about how we can produce sufficient food for everyone in a sustainable way. I realized that I am lacking in the knowledge and skills to grow my own food should circumstances necessitate it. How does it feel to be close to the land? How could I grow food crops such as tapioca, kang kong and papaya?

This is a meaningful documentary series to collect. It reminded me of the turbulent times that people have to overcome during the Japanese Occupation. I was reminded not to take food and the peace we have for granted.

I watched each episode of the documentary in the comfort of my own home and was delighted by the care and attention that has been put in to make this documentary series possible. I very much like the idea of the six collectable recipe cards of wartime dishes. These recipes would have been hot favourites for aspiring chefs who would like to recreate these wartime dishes. The wartime dishes that were featured were:

• Tapioca Vadai, 
• Kangkong and Sweet Potato Lemak, 
• Sotong Masak Kiam Chye, 
• Betik Masak Titek, 
• Lobster a la Bystander and 
• Baked Fish Custards.

It is fascinating to learn more about the Japanese Occupation by exploring the experience of food consumption during that period. With creativity and ingenuity, people have created interesting wartime recipes that kept them alive!

Eat to Live: Wartime Recipes is available for sale from major book stores such as Kinokuniya.

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Also see:
Eat to Live - Wartime Recipes By Yesterday.sg
Eat to Live: Wartime Recipes (Episode 1: Food as Power and Control)
Eat to Live: Wartime Recipes