Marina Bay and South Beach

By the time we were nearly finished with City Hall it was already 3 hours later and still didn't cover all the exhibits.

We then made our way to the Central Promontory Site which really was the Marina bay area. The thing I especially like about the Singapore Biennale this time round is that they provided a free audio guide and it really makes it easier to digest all the artsy stuff. Because there are just so many explanations you can read before your eyes get really tired.



And this is important because I really wouldn't know what to make out of an entire field of slippers on bamboo poles if not for the guide. Flight by Alfredo Juan and Gaudinez-Aquilian, Maria Isabel signifies community reintegration, compassion and collective goals. The collection of slippers was contributed by Yellow Ribbon Project, an organization in Singapore that seeks to engage the community in giving ex-offenders a second chance at life.

The Central Promontory Site is open to the public and incredibly, the entire space housing the various exhibit is an exhibit in itself. Made of numerous large containers which looked like they came from PSA, the audio-guide quips that the structure allows for air ventilation and eliminated the need for an air-con.

I thought the contrary. There was one exhibit that made us all feel rather cool though. It was an exhibit called location (6). Nothing like an infinite snow-scape to cool us down.

The setup was such that you entered through a long tunnel and you wound up at a viewing gallery-like circular enclosure, complete with bean bags. The effect was breathtaking.

Finishing up at Central Promontory Site, we followed the directions of a kindly old man and found ourselves at South Beach Development, an army camp in the old days.

This was the place where the Biennale started- with an elderly gentleman taking a bath in a field of soap. It was in the news. By the time we got there, the soap had already disintegrated but the smell was unmistakable. As a matter of fact, it reminded me a little of my father.

Set in three buildings, the South Beach Development's roots as an army camp was unmistakable.



Like at this painting at the Drill Hall by Felice Varini. Because the work appears different at different parts of the hall ,it sets to explore the wonder of making and seeing the many viewpoints all of which the artists asserts are correct.

After walking the whole day however, we were of the view (unanimous) that we needed a break and dragged our feet to the nearby Macdonals for a Mega-mcsipcy(or two).

Bliss.