1 The Istana grounds will be open to the public on Sunday, 7 August 2005 to celebrate National Day. This August Open House incorporates the annual Istana Art Event. Highlights this year include:
- Art & heritage activities
- Unveiling of Alexandra Nechita’s “Let There Be Peace” monument
- Launch of “To Singapore With Love” Photo Exhibition
- Special performance by the SAF Music and Drama Company and Precision Drill Displays by the SAF Provost Unit.
The Istana Art Event 2005
2 In conjunction with this Open House, the National Heritage Board will be organising its annual Istana Art Event 2005. This event includes an on-the-spot art competition (registration will be from 7.00am to 9.00am, with submission by 11.00am), with President Nathan presenting prizes to the winners at 1.00pm.
Other Events
3 View “To Singapore With Love” as President S R Nathan launches the photo exhibition presented as a tribute to the Nation. It showcases works by ordinary Singaporeans wanting to capture the facets of Singapore – its art, lifestyle, culture, nature and people. Also, witness the unveiling of Alexandra Nechita’s “Let There Be Peace” sculpture by the President as he accepts the peace monument on behalf of the people of Asia. The sculpture will be permanently located at Catholic High School.
4 In addition, there will be other heritage-related fun-filled interactive activities organized by the various museums throughout the day for everyone, young and old. Please see Annex for more details.
Other Highlights
5 The SAF Music and Dance Company will be putting up a special performance “Singapore Rhythm” to celebrate National Day. The ever-popular SAF Provost Unit will also put up 2 special displays of their Precision Drill at the Main Tent. The bands from Jurongville Secondary School, St Margaret’s Secondary School and Maha Bodhi School will be entertaining visitors in the afternoon.
6 Visitors can tour the Istana Building to view the staterooms as well as enjoy a display of selected gifts presented to the President and the Prime Minister by foreign dignitaries.
Admission Details
7 Admission hours for the Open House will be from 7.00am to 6.00pm. Entry to the Istana grounds is free for Singaporeans and Singapore Permanent Residents, and $1 for others. The Istana Building will also be open to the public for an entrance fee of $2. Sale of tickets to tour the staterooms closes at 5.30pm.
Contribution to Charity
8 All entrance fees collected will be donated to the Community Chest, the fundraising arm of the National Council of Social Service which supports 58 charities. ComChest will also be selling Istana souvenirs at their booths in the grounds.
For more information on the Istana Open House, please visit: Istana Open House.
For registration and enquiries on the Istana Art Event 2005, please e-mail: nhb_sam_programs@nhb.gov.sg, call 63323220 or log on to http://www.singart.com.
Singapore Art Museum Proudly Presents
Enjoy A Fun-Filled Day At The Istana
Sunday, 7 August 2005, 7.00 am – 6.00 pm
In conjunction with the Istana’s Open House Day and part of Singapore’s 40th Year of Independence Celebration
Celebrate the Nation's 40th Birthday With Art & Heritage Activities
Featuring On-the-Spot Art Competition, Unveiling of Alexandra Nechita's Let There Be Peace Monument and Launch of To Singapore With Love Photo Exhibition at the Istana
(25 July 2005) Singapore Art Museum (SAM) invites everyone to the Istana for a fun-filled day on Sunday, 7 August 2005. Enjoy the beautiful Istana grounds and join in free activities for the whole family! Held in conjunction with Singapore’s 40th Year of Independence celebration, this year’s Istana Art Event features the largest line-up of Arts and Heritage activities. Take part in ‘On-The-Spot Art Competition’, which is open to all age groups and winners stand to walk away with attractive cash prizes! Be the first to view ‘To Singapore With Love’ - Photo exhibition as a tribute to the Nation, works by ordinary Singaporeans wanting to capture the facets of Singapore - its art, lifestyle, culture, nature and people. Witness the unveiling of Alexandra Nechita’s ‘Let There Be Peace’ sculpture. Join us in this momentous occasion as HE President S R Nathan accepts the peace monument on behalf of the people of Asia and Catholic High School where the sculpture will be permanently located.
On-the-Spot Art Competition
Get creative within the Istana grounds and take part in an On-The-Spot Art Competition open to all age groups! Register early and get free snack packs sponsored by McDonalds as well as Istana colouring book and colour pencils, and pass for 2 into istana Main building, limited to the first 2000 pre-registered participants! Participants can focus on either of these themes during the competition: A Day at The Istana or Peace and Harmony. Winners will receive attractive prizes totalling S$5100 and a certificate signed by HE President S R Nathan. Winning entries will be selected for display and images may be reproduced for exclusive Istana souvenirs.
Unveiling of Alexandra Nechita's Gift 'Let There Be Peace' Monument
Named Ambassador of peace by the United Nations in 2001, 19 year old Alexandra Nechita will present the first of seven peace monuments which are inspired by the events of September 11, at the Istana on 7 August. Nechita has selected Singapore as the host nation of her 16-feet high peace monument entitled ‘Let there Be Peace’, for the Asian continent. HE President S R Nathan will unveil the peace monument at the Istana during the Istana Art Event, after which it will be on public display at Carnival at Marina Bay, followed by a 3-month display at the Changi Airport before it travels to various cities in Asia. The sculpture will finally return to Singapore after its 18-month Asian tour to be permanently sited at Catholic High School, the recipient of the peace monument.
Says Mr Kwok Kian Chow, Director, SAM, “Nechita has been an inspiration to the young all over the world. As such, it is meaningful that this gift of peace is sited within an institution of learning and nurturing of the young. SAM is pleased that the unveiling of this gift could be shared with the public through the platform of the Istana Art Event, and on occasion of Istana’s National Day Open House.”
Says Mr Lee Hak Boon, Principal of Catholic High School, “Catholic High School is honoured to be the recipient of Alexandra Nechita’s peace sculpture. To spread Nechita’s message of PEACE, the school will organise a week-long promotion of international peace with exchange programmes to schools in Asia after the peace monument’s Asian tour.”
To commemorate the occasion, the 200-strong award-winning choir from Catholic High School will give a rendition of ‘Let There Be Peace On Earth’ at the unveiling ceremony. The choir clinched the Gold, Best Conductor and Laureate of the Festival awards at Prague in 2004.
Launch of 'To Singapore With Love' Exhibition
Presented amidst the lush greenery of the Istana grounds, this outdoor photographic exhibition is a tribute to Singapore in her 40th year of independence. Co-organised by SAM and ‘To Singapore With Love’ Steering Committee, the exhibition features a selection of photographs from submissions by over 130 photographers from all walks of life. ‘To Singapore With Love’ is documented in a 264-page art book showcasing over 330 images which reflects the unique way of life of Singaporeans, the natural beauty and the cultural heritage of Singapore.
Art and Heritage Activites
Explore art and heritage with activities ranging from Animals in Art, Balloon Sculpture, Traditional Games to Traditional Arts. Experience ancient Asian cultures come alive at the Istana, reflect upon Singapore’s heritage of heroics and create your own Sand-Art! Activities are presented by SAM, Asian Civilisations Museum and National Archives of Singapore.
Organised by SAM and supported by People's Association, the Istana Art Event is a public outreach initiative to families and schools. The lush Istana grounds provide an idyllic setting for artistic pursuits with musical performances and fun family activities. A major national arts outreach event in its fifth year, the Istana Art Event had attracted over 20,000 visitors to the Istana last year, one of the largest to be recorded in the Istana’s Open House Days.
So make time to join us at the Istana this Sunday, 7 August 2005! Full programme details are appended. For general enquiries, please email nhb_sam_programs@nhb.gov.sg, call 6332 3220 or log on to www.singart.com.
Supported by People’s Association
Sponsorship by McDonald’s Singapore
For media interviews, images and further information contact:
Lynn Tan
Marcom Executite
Singapore Art Museum |
DID: 6332 3219
FAX: 334 7919
Email: lynn_tan@hdb.gov.sg |
Suenne Megan Tan
Acting Assistant Director, Marketing and Corporate Communications
Singapore Art Museum |
DID: 6332 3215
FAX: 334 7919
Email: Suenne_Megan_Tan@nhb.gov.sg |
For more information, visit http://www.singart.com/.
| Mondays to Sundays: |
10am to 7pm, with extended hours and FREE Admission on Fridays from 6pm to 9pm |
Singapore Art Museum is located at 71 Bras Basah Road, Singapore 189555
General enquiries, please contact Front desk at 6332 3222.
I Programme Highlights
| 10.00am |
Launch of ‘To Singapore With Love’ |
| 9.00am – 11.00am |
Submission of On-The – Spot Art Competition entries |
| 11.00am – 1.00pm |
Picnic
Sale of snack packs
Redemption of picnic packs for registered participants |
| 1.00pm |
Prize- Giving by H E President S R Nathan |
| 1.30pm |
Unveiling of Alexandra Nechita’s sculpture by H E President S R Nathan |
| 2.00pm – 5.00pm |
Exhibition of Selected entries of Art Competition |
II Events
- On-the-Spot Art Competition
7.00 am – 9.00am Registration* at Main Gate, Istana
NHB Official Art Block will be provided and accepted as entries. Participants are to bring their choice of colouring mediums. Schools and organizations may request to pre-register by contacting roslee_m_noor@nhb.gov.sg.
Themes: A Day at The Istana or Peace and Harmony
Closing date: 25 July 2005
* McDonald’s Snack Packs FREE for the first 1,000 registrants who submit completed art work only. Please note that incomplete art work will not qualify. All prizewinners must collect their awards in person.
On-The-Spot Art Competition Categories and Prizes
| Ages 8* and below: |
1st Prize $500
2nd Prize $300
3rd Prize $200
Merit Award $100 x 6 |
| Ages 9-16*: |
1st Prize $600
2nd Prize $400
3rd Prize $300
Merit Award $100 x 6 |
| Open category: |
1st Prize $700
2nd Prize $500
3rd Prize $400 |
Please note that the judges’ decision is final. Organisers reserve the right not to award prizes if submitted works are not up to standard.
* Age at 31st January 2005
Selected entries will remain property of the Istana, which reserves the right to display the art works within the Istana interior as well as selectively reproduce them for Istana merchandise.
- Art and Heritage Activites by National Heritage Board
Singapore Art Museum
- “To Singapore With Love”
This outdoor photographic exhibition is a tribute to Singapore in her 40th year of independence. The exhibition features a selection of photographs from submissions by over 130 photographers from all walks of life.
To Singapore With Love is documented in a 264-page art book showcasing over 330 images which reflects the unique way of life of Singaporeans, the natural beauty and the cultural heritage of Singapore.
Co-organised by Singapore Art Museum and To Singapore With Love Steering Committee
- Animals in Art
Legendary Singapore artist, Chen Wen Hsi kept a small selection of animals for study, and painting. Learn about the sort of animals he painted and paint one for yourself. These animal props will be displayed on the lawn of the Istana before you take them home! Choose from gibbons, ducks, herons and squirrels.
- Balloon Sculpture
Be inspired by the scuplture, Let There be Peace by Alexandra Nechita and make your own monument to Peace.
- Traditional Games
Have a go at old favourites like kuti-kuti; chongkat; tikamtikam (from 9.00am – 5.00pm) and learn how to pass a sepak takraw ball.
- Traditional Arts
Try out both Arab and Chinese calligraphy styles or have your face painted.
Asian Civilisations Museum
Asian cultures come alive at Istana! Discover how Chinese bronzes were made hundred of years ago without the help of modern machinery. Immerse yourself in the beauty of our Vietnamese water puppets and unravel the stories hidden within our textiles! Take part in our interactive games and win fun prizes!
10.00am – 6.00 pm
National Archives of Singapore
Reflect upon Singapore’s heritage of heroism and the deeds of people who valued courage, dedication and honour above their own lives. Express your thoughts by creating Sand-Art and try out Jig Saws on the theme of ‘War and Peace’, brought to you by Reflections at Bukit Chandu.
Session 1: 9.00am – 11:30am
Session 2: 1.00pm – 5.00pm
Note: All craft and hands-on activities are FREE III Event information
Admission hours will be from 7am to 6pm. Entry to the Istana grounds will be free for Singaporeans and Singapore Permanent Residents, and S$1 for others. Entrance to grounds is via the main gate at Orchard Road.
Entry into Istana Main Building (tickets at $2). Proceeds to the Community Chest.
Istana Open House programme continues till 6pm.
Please note that all times shown are indicative and may be subject to change. |