For those who are big fans and lovers of Japan history, culture, craftsmanship, landscapes and travel, I reckon you would love this amazing and beautiful double header exhibition at ACM as you travel through time, history and culture starting from Life in Edo to modern day Japan via master photographer Russel Wong in Kyoto. 

Now, let’s start our journey of a tale of two cities starting with a trip back in time to Life in Edo period.

Life in Edo 

The Edo period (江戸時代) in Japan took place between 1603 to 1868. This was also a period where the arts and culture grew and flourished such as kabuki and ukiyo-e (pictures of the floating world). Life in Edo is a showcase of woodblock prints and paintings known as ukiyo-e of the Edo period in Japan. 

When you visit this special exhibition, observe the artworks and paintings, they depict people’s travel, beauty, foods, entertainments and even their beloved pets of the Edo period. With an extensive collection of 157 colourful ukiyo-e prints, the most ever shown in a single exhibition in Singapore, you would be mesmerised by them. Life in Edo features works from great masters, including Katsushika Hokusai, Utagawa Hiroshige, Kitagawa Utamaro, Utagawa Kuniyoshi and more. 

As you are viewing and admiring the artworks on display inside this special exhibition at ACM, take your time, feel and connect with their lifestyle, culture and arts during the Edo period. Due to the nature of the prints being so light-sensitive, there will be a rotation of a completely new set of prints on display midway through the exhibition starting from 12th July onwards, this allows visitors to double their travel journeys into the life in old world of Japan during the Edo period. 

Russel Wong in Kyoto 

Exiting from Life in Edo section, you will now enter into contemporary Japan with Russel Wong in Kyoto exhibition. A master photographer, a celebrity photographer, very well known not just in Singapore, around the world too. As a photographer myself, I have also looked upon his works and greatly admired his portraiture photography works. 

The photographs in this Russel Wong in Kyoto exhibition showcases his 13-year long, ongoing personal project to document the Geiko of Kyoto, a glimpse into some of the rarely seen and lesser known traditions of this private community. There are forty black and white photographs on display, illustrating the customs and traditions of Geisha, known as “Geiko” in Kyoto. The photographs include the tea ceremony and the lesser known Erikae ceremony, a two week process where a Maiko (a Geiko in training) prepares herself to be come a Geiko. 

When you are viewing the photographs on display, observe the print size, almost all of the photographs there are printed in ōban (大判) size, the most popular woodblock print format during the Edo period. The ōban (大判) size photographs emulate the ukiyo-e prints from the Edo period. 

The photography masterpieces by Russel Wong in Kyoto are powerful, telling visual stories of how the popular arts and culture during Life in Edo continues on and merges into today’s modern contemporary Japan. 

Programmes 

Do visit their website and check out more of ACM onsite and online programmes as part of their special exhibition Life in Edo | Russel Wong in Kyoto. From workshops, talks to artist & curator tour, there might be something that interests you!

Not to be missed!

For fans and lovers of Japan history, culture, craftsmanship, landscapes and travel, don’t miss this amazing and beautiful double header exhibition at ACM as you travel through time, history and culture starting from Life in Edo to master photographer Russel Wong in Kyoto. 

Once you are inside this exhibition and get up close to the various artworks, crariftsmanship and photographs on display, you can feel that not only have you gone back in time to the Edo period, you are also visiting the sights, destinations and daily life of Kyoto, Japan, especially for those feeling the Japan travel wanderlust (like myself).

I would like to thank Asian Civilisations Museum for the invite to this special exhibition, Life in Edo | Russel Wong in Kyoto, with curator Clement Onn and artist master photographer Russel Wong leading the tour, sharing with us so much invaluable and priceless stories. 

Life in Edo | Russel Wong in Kyoto Exhibition at ACM

URL: https://www.nhb.gov.sg/acm/whats-on/exhibitions/life-in-edo-russel-wong-in-kyoto 

Venue: Asian Civilisations Museum 

Dates: 16th April to 19th September 2021 

            First rotation: 16th April to 11th July 2021

            Second rotation: 12th July to 19th September 2021

Admission: Singaporeans & Permanent Residents – $12

                   Foreign Residents & Tourists – $20 

*** You can use your Singapore Rediscovers Vouchers (SRV) packages to purchase your tickets to ACM’s special exhibition Life in Edo | Russel Wong in Kyoto, permanent galleries, plus discounts and a gift redemption from ACM MUSEUM LABEL Shop *** 

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What are the programmes and activities taking place during Light to Night Festival 2020? Let me introduce you to some of the key festival highlights and bring you into the mood of exploring Invisible Cities.

Key Festival Highlights

Art Skins on Monuments – City States of Mind

As you walk and explore Civic District majestic monuments, enjoy the light projections on the facades, immerse yourself into the dreams, forgotten memories and deep desires hidden inside them.

Optical Maze by OTTOTTO

Located at the Padang, a colourful pavilion by day and a brightly illuminated labyrinth by night. Remember to head up to the Padang Deck on Level 5, view the Optical Maze from above and you can see the lines of Marc Nair’s poem written in lights.

Floating City by Nipek X KNOTS

This is my favourite artwork installation, located at Padang Atrium, National Gallery Singapore. It’s like a light show of glowing skyscrapers in the sky. View them from the bottom up, go up close and personal on the walkway bridge on Level 3 and view from the top down.

Art X Social (Festival Village)

If you are feeling hungry, thirsty and in need of a rest and recharge, head down to Art X Social (Festival Village) at Empress Lawn, Connaught Drive and St. Andrew’s Road. You won’t miss it and I reckon you would enjoy it!

Shadows of  Dust and Clouds by Vertical Submarine

At the Asian Civilisations Museum Green, visitors can interact with this artwork, a giant mirror installation, a response to Desmond Kon’s poem “The Mirrored Dias of History and Signs”.

Between Two Worlds by Quarters Architects

An interesting and interactive artwork that at Esplanade Park, inspired by Kevin Martens Wong’s poems. Walk through the passageway, observe the mirrored memory pools and its reflective surfaces. As you enter into the artwork, you would become invisible to others from the outside.

There are also talks, tours and performances at the Civic District during Light to Night Festival 2020, for more information visit National Gallery Singapore website! I haven’t finishing exploring Light to Night Festival 2020, I am planning to continue exploring more of the Invisible Cities during this festival.

Mark down the dates! Starting on the 10th to 19th January 2020, visit Light to Night Festival 2020 with your family, loved ones and friends! Sharing is caring, Pay It Forward and Pass It On, share about Light to Night Festival 2020!

The weekends would be the most exciting as the Civic District is transformed into a lively, happening and fun artistic Civic District! Wear comfortable walking shoes, you would be doing quite a bit of walking around the Civic District! Come on down, have fun, enjoy and explore the Civic District!

I would like to thank National Gallery Singapore and Tate Anzur for the invitation to the media preview of Light to Night Festival 2020. Visit my Flickr photo album and Instagram for more photographs of Light to Night Festival 2020!

Light to Night Festival 2020 – Invisible Cities

Website: lighttonight.sg

Location: Civic District

From: 10th to 19th January 2020

Admission: Free

Hashtag: #LightToNightSG

Road closures

Dates: 10, 11, 17, 18 January 2020

Time: 4pm – 1am

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This exhibition is special, it’s not just about fashion, they presented a conversation between historical art works and contemporary Chinese fashion and design. When you enter into the world of Guo Pei: Chinese Art and Couture at ACM, observe the exquisite designs and workmanship, go beyond the world of fashion and you would be drawn into the history, heritage and culture side as well as the other side of contemporary and modern era today.

The story behind Guo Pei: Chinese Art and Couture started almost ten years ago in Paris. Chinese fashion designer Guo Pei visited ACM traveling show on Peranakan art at Musee du quai Branly in Paris. She was charmed by the intricate beauty and exquisite details of the beadwork and embroidery objects on display. Thereafter, Guo Pei created two bridal dresses in response from her visit. Oh yes, the two bridal dresses are also part of this special exhibition too!

A few years later, a curator from ACM saw Chinese celebrity Angelababy wearing one of Guo Pei’s bridal dresses. Through their discussion between the curator and Guo Pei, an idea for an exhibition was born, taking on a conversation between historical art works from ACM and Guo Pei’s contemporary Chinese fashion and design, that you are viewing at Guo Pei: Chinese Art and Couture at ACM.

When you visit Guo Pei: Chinese Art and Couture at ACM, observe the various fashion designs, be mesmerised and be in awe of the beauty, design, embroidery skills. Her fashion showcases were stunning, big, bright, colourful and making huge fashion statements to the world through the fashion display. Guo Pei’s fine art fashion showcase are along the lines of Gold, Yellow, Embroidery and Silk, Hybrid designs, Peranakan connections and Treasured heirlooms: Chinese bridal dress.

This special exhibition Guo Pei: Chinese Art and Couture at ACM is more than just a fashion exhibition. It incorporates Chinese history, heritage, culture, arts, and design as well as Peranakan connections! More photographs of this special exhibition can be viewed here in this Flickr photo album!

It’s not your usual fashion showcase, there is an aura of fashion, history, heritage, culture and arts incorporated into her various fashion designs. Visiting this special exhibition allows you to fully connect and relate to the Guo Pei’s fashion, as well as the historical, heritage, cultural and artistic influences delivered to the visitors through the world of Guo Pei: Chinese Art and Couture. Do visit this unique Chinese Art and Couture at ACM by Guo Pei, view and feel the splendour and glamour of the fashion, heritage, history and culture, this is something really special. You can view some of the selected photographs that I took during my visit to Guo Pei: Chinese Art and Couture at ACM inside this Flickr photo album!

I would like to thank ACM for the invitation to the private viewing event of Guo Pei: Chinese Art and Couture.

<A TGH Photography x Canon EOS RP Explorer Series Production>

Information on Guo Pei: Chinese Art and Couture

Venue: Asian Civilisations Museum

Dates: 16^th June 2019 to 15^th September 2019

Opening hours:

Daily: 10am to 7pm

Fridays: 10am to 9pm

Admission charges

Singaporeans & Permanent Residents – $12

Foreign Residents & Tourists – $20

Tickets available for sale on-site at ACM and online at SISTIC.

Social Media

Asian Civilisations Musuem

Website: https://www.acm.org.sg/

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/asiancivilisationsmuseum

Twitter: https://twitter.com/acm_sg

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acm_sg/

Guo Pei

Website: http://www.guo-pei.fr/

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/guopeiofficial

Twitter: https://twitter.com/guopeiofficial

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/guopei/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/GuoPeiofficial

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This annual urban art event has both indoor and outdoor elements, with the light projections on the Civic District monuments façade.  There are also indoor art installations and art highlight trails for visitors to enjoy as well. Starting from the National Gallery Singapore, visitors can explore the rest of the Civic District, visiting The Arts House, Asian Civilisations Museum, The Esplanade Park and Victora Theatre and Victoria Concert Hall.

From 18^th January to 27^th January 2019, this is the Singapore Art Week Edition. The Singapore Art Week Edition explores contemporary art and ideas inspired by the Civic District’s rich histories and stories. Be the Explorer and head down to explore your own unique Light to Night Festival 2019 – Singapore Art Week Edition with the theme “Traces and Echoes”.

Do also take note of the following

• Open House 25^th to 27^th January 2019
• Enhanced programming and extended hours on 25^th to 26^th January 2019
• Comedy Fridays and Music Saturdays on 25^th to 26^th January 2019 at the Padang Atrium

Now, are you ready to be your own Explorer for Light to Night Festival 2019 – Singapore Art Week Edition? Follow me in my own Explorer photography adventures below!

Art Skins on Monuments

National Gallery Singapore

Art Takes Over on the monuments in the Civic District of Singapore.

On the former City Hall building and former Supreme Court building of National Gallery Singapore, visitors can watch this light projection of an explorer on his journey titled “Day & Night”.

At the Padang Atrium, this is like a stage for you to be a star and show the world through your sound and movement at this artwork titled “Stasis & Flux”. How do you like being part of the something larger than yourselves , to be a part of this world?

Along the side of the Supreme Court Wing of National Gallery Singapore , you would enter into a world of “Light & Shadow”, entering into a forest that encompasses both natural and surreal landscapes. Observe the relationships and surroundings, as they reveal something to you.

The Arts House

Continuing your Explorer journey to explore Light To Night Festival SG Art Week Edition in the Civic District sof Singapore. You would arrive at The Arts House, into this artwork “Order & Chaos”, just like this figure from the other side of artificial intelligence and virtual world looking at you, giving you utopia and dystopia, order and chaos all together at The Arts House where Art Takes Over on the monuments.

Victoria Theatre and Victoria Concert Hall

Moving on to the next Art Takes Over on the monuments, your Explorer journey to explore Light To Night Festival SG Art Week Edition in the Civic District of Singapore brings you to Victoria Theatre and Victoria Concert Hall. At this artwork, you can experience “Growth & Decay”, through renewal and degradation from the sun’s energy and force leading to both growth and decay.

Asian Civilisations Museum

As you arrive at Asian Civilisations Museum, this artwork “Dreams & Reality” brings you into life at the museum with the artefacts and objects coming to life at dusk, transforming into mythical creatures and landscape formations. At dawn, they returned back to normal again, is this just like the cyclical nature of your life journey?

Opening hours: Sunday to Thursday – 8pm to 10pm ; Friday to Saturday – 8pm to 12mn

Light to Night Art Highlights Trail

Light to Night Festival is more than just artwork projections on the facades of the monuments in the Civic District of Singapore. For this year 2019 edition, there is a Light to Night Art Highlights Trail that you can explore and check out!

Coming soon – Light to Night Festival 2019 – Bicentennial Edition

One Light to Night Festival, two unique experiences! For this year 2019 Light to Night Festival, this is also the Bicentennial edition taking place from 28^th January to 24^th February 2019.

I would continue to explore Light to Night Festival 2019 – Bicentennial Edition when they start on the 28^th January 2019! Do keep a lookout for my photographs and sharing on my Instagram and flickr photo album!

Light to Night Festival 2019

Dates:

18^th January to 27^th January 2019 (Singapore Art Week Edition)

28^th January to 24^th February 2019 (Bicentennial Edition)

Location: Civic District

Website:www.lighttonight.sg

Hashtag: #LightToNightSG

Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.

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Ladies and gentlemen, this is Angkor City, located in the Siem Reap province, Cambodia.

Angkor is listed down on my travel photography bucket list (for a number of years) and I have yet to travel to Siem Reap, Cambodia and visit them! I had watched a few documentaries on Angkor (this BBC article on Angkor Wat is pretty informative) and I am very intrigued by their rich history, heritage, architecture and legacy.

The Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM) in Singapore presents a very special and unique exhibition titled, “Angkor: Exploring Cambodia’s Sacred City”, in collaboration with the Guimet Museum in Paris. Visitors to this exhibition are able to enter into the world of Angkor, exploring Angkor at the ACM, through the eyes, drawings, paintings, photographs and memorabilia of the French encounter with the Angkor during the 19^thcentury that captivated the French public when the ancient civilisation made her debut in the international arena.

Visiting and Exploring Angkor at ACM, the experience was definitely an eye-opener for me, from the artworks, drawings, paintings and sculptures on display, they brought me into the world of Angkor, rich in history, heritage and culture, artistic, spectacular and amazing beyond words. Yet, there is a mystery and aura about Angkor, the Khmer Empire from 9^thto 15^thcentury, what happened between then before the French exploration discovered them in the 19^thcentury?

When you visit Angkor: Exploring Cambodia’s Sacred City at ACM, take a leisure walk, observe the paintings, drawings and photographs. Some of the paintings and drawings were so detailed, sharp and real life-like. The artistic skills of the painters completely open my eyes and mind on the ancient Khmer Empire, with more questions than before. The sculptures on display, take a close look at them, don’t blink your eyes, observe their details and workmanship, some sculptures even look human life-like.

All the questions inside my mind started to pile up while I was exploring Angkor at ACM, this special exhibition got me more interested and motivated to plan a visit in the near future to Siem Reap, Cambodia, for my heritage and history photography coverage and documentation on the ancient site of Angkor.

After leaving the exhibition at ACM, I learned more about Angkor, Cambodia’s sacred city. An amazing, unique and special exhibition, definitely worth a visit to the Asian Civilisations Museum (and also check out the other exhibitions and galleries at ACM too)

There are also upcoming activities and events held in conjunction with this exploring Angkor exhibition at ACM. Keep a lookout for the Angkor Encore, a wekend festival taking place on Friday 25^th May (7pm to 9pm), Saturday 26^th May (1pm to 9pm) and Sunday 27^th May (1pm to 5pm). There are also guided tours and workshops, visit ACM website for more details!

Exhibition details and information

Exhibition Title – Angkor: Exploring Cambodia’s Sacred City

• Exhibition Dates: 8^thApril to 22^ndJuly 2018
• Venue: Asian Civilisations Museum
• Address: 1 Empress Place, Singapore 179555
• Website: www.acm.org.sg
• Enquiries: 6332 7798
• Email: nhb_acm_vs@nhb.gov.sg
• Opening hours: Monday to Sunday: 10am to 7pm (to 9pm on Friday)

Getting There:

• By MRT – Raffles Place
• By Bus – 75, 100, 107, 130, 131, 167
• By Car – Parking is available at Parliament House, Connaught Drive, The Fullerton Hotel, One Fullerton, and Six Battery Road

Admission Prices (Exhibitions and Permanent Galleries)

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