The National Museum of Singapore (NMS) has been undergoing restoration and upgrading works for a period of time. Following a ten month closure, NMS will be unveiling the first of its revamped permanent galleries – the newly-named Shaw Foundation Glass Rotunda. The opening fits in perfectly with Singapore’s SG60 celebrations, it’s NMS gift to the nation and it will feature a multi-sensorial experience titled, Singapore Odyssea: A Journey Through Time, which replaces the former Story of the Forest installation.
Singapore Odyssea: A Journey Through Time
When you set sail with Singapore Odyssea: A Journey Through Time at NMS, you would be experiencing a time travel journey of Singapore, as it chronicles the major milestones in Singapore’s 700 years of history, presented through special animations and interactive experiences, in a personalised and immersive journey that gives visitors something different and unique to experience Singapore’s history from a fresh perspective.
“The previous installation, Story of the Forest, featured animals inspired by our prized William Farquhar Collection of Natural History Drawings. Well-loved by visitors, it sparked wonder and curiosity about the collection. With Singapore Odyssea, we wanted to continue drawing on our collection and rich stories to present Singapore’s history in an engaging and relevant way – this creates an accessible entry point, while honouring the depth and significance of our history,” said Ms Chung May Khuen, Director of the National Museum of Singapore.
Ms Chung added: “In presenting Story of the Forest, we pushed the boundaries of a conventional museum-going experience through technology and multimedia to create a highly immersive space. It was very well received by visitors, who called for similar experiences and even greater interactivity. This was the impetus behind incorporating further multisensorial and interactive elements in Singapore Odyssea that we hope will continue to excite and enchant our visitors.”
“The Shaw Foundation is proud to support the National Museum in its continued efforts to share the rich and storied history of our nation,” said Mr Mark Shaw of Shaw Foundation. “We hope that the bold and innovative storytelling in Singapore Odyssea will captivate and inspire visitors to take pride in our heritage and develop a deeper interest in Singapore’s remarkable history.”
Experiencing 700 years of Singapore’s history in four episodes
The Singapore Odyssea blends history, art and technology together, shaping into an evocative time-travel voyage through Singapore’s history that centres on the sea as an ever-present witness and enabler of our country’s evolution.
Designed by local creatives, Singapore Odyssea offers visitors a vivid, immersive, experiential overview of Singapore’s journey over 700 years. This journey spotlights key moments of Singapore’s history, layered with local stories and myths associated with Singapore’s origins.
This installation gives cultural and historical context to Singapore’s identity, adding depth and enhancing appreciation for Singapore’s place in the region and the world. When you visit Singapore Odyssea, you can look forward to “setting sail” from an imagined futuristic Singapore to our pre-colonial beginnings.
Join me! Let’s Set Sail with Singapore Odyssea: A Journey Through Time!
When you set sail with Singapore Odyssea: A Journey Through Time, what would you be experiencing? Here are the time travel stages that you would be going back into:
- Opening: Glimpse of the Future – Singapore, as a futuristic, green and connected city
- Episode 1: Setting Sail – Scenes from independence to present-day Singapore
- Episode 2: Riding Out the Storm – Scenes from wartime and postwar Singapore
- Episode 3: Age of Exploration – Scenes from Colonial Singapore
- Episode 4: Shores of Singapura – Scenes from pre-colonial Singapore period
Opening: Glimpse of the Future (Singapore, as a futuristic, green and connected city)
You are now going to embark on your journey, it’s now boarding time to “board” a time-travelling vessel. Take in the futuristic view of the Singapore skyline from the “cabin”, this sets the stage for your time travel journey back in time.
As you enter into the gallery, you will be greeted by a stunning light show anchored by a suspended LED globe – the first of its kind in a Singapore museum. The room is now immersed in vibrant hues of blue, the scene transiting into a two-minute show that maps the intricate network of maritime routes that have connected Singapore to the rest of the world over the years.
Episode 1: Setting Sail (Scenes from independence to present-day Singapore)
Starting episode 1 of your time travel journey back in time as you descend the spiral ramp, you are now experiencing the pivotal chapters of Singapore’s history. Be mesmerised by the visual wall projections that you will encounter, coming alive through animated scenes and rich soundscapes.
Immerse yourself into those key moments of Singapore, such as Singapore’s first National Day Parade before wartime evacuations, and ancient coastal communities.
Episode 2: Riding Out the Storm (Scenes from wartime and postwar Singapore)
Entering into episode 2, you are now entering the time of wartime and postwar Singapore. Key scenes include the sinking of the HMS Prince of Wales and Repulse., Japanese air raids, and early nation building efforts. Experience the feelings and emotions of turbulence, uncertainty, and suspense.
Episode 3: Age of Exploration (Scenes from Colonial Singapore)
Continuing your journey back in time, to Singapore’s colonial era, with the sea as a gateway to the world, evoking wonder and surprise. Relive Singapore as a thriving port city, set against a tropical landscape that welcomed traders, immigrants, and new ideas.
Episode 4: Shores of Singapura (Scenes from pre-colonial Singapore)
You are now entering into episode 4 of your time travel journey, the final episode of your Singapore Odyssea adventure. Dive into Singapore’s mythical pre-colonial past, sparking a sense of curiosity and wonder.
Encounter the Orang Laut, the legend of the Palembang prince Sang Nila Utama’s arrival on the island, and story of Padang and the Singapore Stone.
Grand Finale at base of the Glass Rotunda
Your time travel journey has now reached the base of the Glass Rotunda. A grand finale awaits you, where a cinematic digital waterfall curtain opens up in segments to reveal pivotal moments from Singapore’s history as you approach towards it.
On the floor, it’s dynamic as it responds to visitors movements, with each step creating ripples on the surface that interact with surrounding ripples generated by others. An interactive and fully immersive experience enhanced by a curated sound design, creating a powerful grand finale to your time travel voyage at Singapore Odyssea.
Sustainability as a thematic undercurrent
In the previous interactive exhibition edition at the Glass Rotunda, Story of the Forest sparked the topic and conversation on environmental awareness. Today, in Singapore Odyssea, this continues on, showing how Singapore’s identity has been shaped by its natural environment and the sea – from the lives of coastal communities from early Singapore, to the nation’s post-independence greening efforts and visions of future climate resilience.
Ms Priscilla Chua, Principal Curator of the National Museum of Singapore, shared: “The launch of Singapore Odyssea in the momentous year of SG60 is an opportune time to revisit our nation’s remarkable journey, while reflecting on our relationship with the environment. We encourage visitors to draw connections between the evolution of Singapore’s natural environment through the ages, with urgent global challenges like climate change and rising sea levels that are pertinent issues that will shape Singapore’s present and future.”
Buddy Buddy Time Travel at Singapore Odyssea: A Journey Through Time
Before visiting NMS for a Singapore Odyssea: A Journey Through Time, don’t forget to invite your bestie/buddy along for this interactive and immersive experience.
Pick up a personalised RFID-enabled wristband before you go onboard your time travel journey. You can “adopt” one of nine companions, each inspired by Singapore’s native fauna.
Whether it’s a forest dwelling pangolin, a coastal crab, or a sky-gliding hornbill, these companions respond uniquely to their visitor’s movements and environment by lighting the path forward, triggering hidden animations, and deepening emotional connection at every turn.
Release your RFID-enabled companions at a Digital “Well”
You have reached the end of your Singapore Odyssea: A Journey Through Time adventure, before you leave and return back to modern day Singapore, you are invited to release your RFID-enabeld companions at a digital “well”.
This symbolic gesture reinforces the saying that what is borrowed from nature should be returned with care – A call to action to build a sustainable future for people and the real-life counterparts of those (RFID-enabled) companions.
This experience is featured alongside immersive media where myths of legendary creatures such as the giant tide-moving crab and the magical tree of life Pauh Janggi are reinterpreted. All these offer poetic entry points into today’s urgent ecological conversations and topics on climate change, rising sea levels, and biodiversity loss not as isolated modern concerns, but as part of Singapore’s long and evolving story.
Singapore Odyssea: A Journey Through Time Opens 8 August 2025
The Singapore Odyssea: A Journey Through Time officially opens to the public on 8th August 2025. Admission to Singapore Odyssea, is free for Singaporeans and permanent residents.
Leading up to SG60 Celebrations at the National Museum of Singapore, Singapore Odyssea will run alongside other complimentary showcases happening at National Museum of Singapore – including the commemorative Once Upon A Tide, that explores Singapore’s maritime evolution from settlement to global city, and a curated series of programmes for the National Museum of Singapore’s SG60 National Day 2025 celebrations on 9th August 2025.
These include community-built LEGO installations, digital and hands-on art activities, live performances, and a spectacular evening projection show, Canvas of Light: Your Nation’s Journey, on the facade of the National Museum of Singapore.
For more information, please visit go.gov.sg/singapore-odyssea or the National Museum’s Facebook and Instagram pages.