Media Release

COMMUNITY ON BOARD IN TELLING THE STORY NHB‟s focus & highlights for 2012 and beyond

18 January 2012 – From curating exhibitions at the National Museum of Singapore, and being interviewed on traditions, customs and nursery rhymes for the National Archives of Singapore, to volunteering as a guide on a neighbourhood heritage trail – Singaporeans can look forward to being an even more active part of heritage in 2012.

2. This year, the National Heritage Board (NHB) is set to connect and engage with the community on a whole new level, by inviting them to share in the telling of Singapore‟s story.

3. Said Michael Koh, CEO for NHB, “NHB the custodian of Singapore‟s heritage and tells the Singapore Story through our national collection, heritage programmes, festivals and activities. But NHB is not the only story teller, our communities, too, have their own captivating tales to be discovered. In 2012, we are inviting them on stage to share their stories as well. Together, we will present the Singapore Story for everyone to reminisce, enjoy, and learn from.”

Celebrate the Singaporean in Us

4. In today‟s inter-connected, fast-paced world, it is of increasing importance for us to retain a sense of who we are and where we come from, to maintain our footing and enable us to contribute purposefully. NHB wants to ensure every Singaporean not only know the Singapore Story, but also revels and take ownership of what makes us Singaporean.

5. This year, NHB will be embarking on a series of new initiatives to preserve, document and present what is near and dear to our hearts, our heritage. We will be researching and recording intangible heritage, such as rites and rituals, home remedies, Singapore cuisine and the places associated with them, local myths and legends, and even nursery rhymes. For this, NHB will be enlisting the assistance of the community, including senior citizens, religious leaders and clans, through oral history recording and video-graphing.

6. Much-loved familiar sights in Singapore‟s heartlands, such as wet markets and void decks, and their unique characteristics, history, evolution and impact on our lives, will be documented and preserved for posterity. To connect past, present, and future generations through shared heritage, we will be partnering schools in learning journeys and to interview involved parties and photograph sites.

7. In the museums, exhibitions like 1945 – 1965: Road To Nationhood, remind us of how the tumultuous period of post-war recovery and nation building have influenced our identity as a nation, and as individuals, today; while In the Mood for Cheongsam: Modernity and Singapore Women from the 1920s to 2000s, Regarding Emily: Emily of Emerald Hill and the Discovery of Peranakan Identity, A Life of Practice – Kuo Pao Kun, and Lee Wen: Lucid Dreams in the Reverie of the Real reach out to different segments of the population by telling the Singapore Story from a variety of perspectives.

8. NHB will also be creating community spaces in our museums. One of the galleries in the National Museum of Singapore will be designated as a Community Gallery. Community partners such as cultural or ethnic groups, clan associations and special heritage interest groups, will be able to co-curate exhibitions with NHB, and present their stories in a museum setting, as an essential part of the Singapore Story.

Connect our Communities

9. Outreach programmes, like the popular Singapore HeritageFest (SHF), already enliven the heartlands, and pull our various communities together, in celebration of our multiculturalism, building inter-racial and inter-generational bonds in the process. This year, the SHF goes one step further by inviting their audiences to co-curate Satellite Hubs in the heartlands – presenting a show for the people, created by the people.

10. NHB is working with various communities in presenting different facets of the Singapore Story, for example 500 years of Eurasian Portuguese heritage with the Eurasian Association, CultureFest at the Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall, public lectures on Kampong Gelam at the prior to its re-opening later in 2012, and traditional Indian trades and professions in the 19th century with the .

11. NHB will commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Battle for Singapore (1941 - 1942), the darkest chapter in the Singapore Story, in 2012. The community will be sharing in this project with talks by war survivors, student-curated exhibitions and student-led trails, strengthening the relevance of this historical event in our peaceful society today.

Share World Heritage

12. An important part of the Singapore Story is our place and deep links to the rest of the world. Special exhibitions in 2011, including Treasures of the Aga Khan Museum: Architecture in Islamic Arts and Gold Rush: Treasures of Ukraine, and The White Wedding Dress: 200 Years of Wedding Fashions from the Victoria and Albert Museum, London will reflect how Singapore stands in relation to world heritage and culture. For example, artefacts influenced by Islamic art, will be drawn from the Asian Civilisations Museum‟s collection, and presented alongside the Aga Khan treasures. The National Museum of Singapore will also display a section on the importance of gold in Singapore‟s heritage and culture within the Gold Rush exhibition, and wedding attire from Singapore‟s ethnic groups next to those from London. Such exhibitions serve to remind Singaporeans of our shared heritage within the global context.

13. 2012 is set to be a year where the Singapore Story will be told in earnest for the community and more importantly by the community. Our stories stem from a shared heritage after all.

14. Details of highlights in 2012 may be found in the Annex.

For media enquiries, please contact:

Rachel Lo Associate Account Director, Fulford Public Relations DID: (65) 6327 6177 Mobile: (65) 9847 8839 Email: [email protected]

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About the National Heritage Board The National Heritage Board (NHB) champions the development and promotion of a vibrant cultural and heritage sector in Singapore. It makes heritage enriching, relevant and accessible to all through staging innovative programmes and forging collaborative partnerships with both private and people sector counterparts. The NHB leverages on state-of-the-art technology and refreshing new approaches to make heritage more dynamic, alive and exciting for different audiences. It also manages both national and public museums, the National Archives of Singapore, and the Heritage Conservation Centre. The NHB was formed on 1 August 1993 as a statutory board under the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts (MICA).

2012 Highlights

Celebrating the Singaporean in Us

Documenting Intangible Heritage

NHB will be embarking on a project to document intangible heritage such as rituals surrounding rites of passage – from birth ceremonies to funerals. This will be done through interviews with senior citizens, religious leaders, clans, etc as well as video-graphing. Plans are underway to document home remedies, and our unique cuisine and places associated with them. We are also looking to add to our existing collection of local myths and legends, nursery rhymes. As the documentation process is ongoing, the public will only be able to access selected information for now.

Community Heritage Projects

NHB‟s project to document our community heritage will be manifested in important aspects of living in the heartlands – wet markets in January 2012, and void decks in March 2012.

Wet Markets - 20 Jan 2012, Chong Boon Market In addition to conducting research into the history and development of wet markets in Singapore, both during the pre-colonial and post-war periods, and documenting the unique characteristics of wet markets such as the nature of transactions and prices of goods, NHB will also be examining the challenges facing wet markets today. NHB will showcase the histories of seven markets including the Tiong Bahru Market, Geylang Serai Market, Tekka Market, Kebun Bahru Market, Marine Terrace Market, Holland Village Market and Chong Boon Market. NHB will partner neighbouring schools to develop learning journeys for students, facilitate interviews with family members and stall holders, and embark on photographic documentation of wet markets in Singapore.

Void Decks - Mar 2012 This third project will focus on the development and evolving uses of void decks and their role as a social leveller amongst different ethnicities living in HDB estates. NHB will be showcasing common communal activities held at void decks as well as highlighting various void decks across Singapore. NHB will also be partnering a group of heritage bloggers to create virtual showcases of void decks online.

Community Heritage Gallery at National Museum of Singapore

NHB will be opening a space in the National Museum of Singapore as a Community Gallery. The galley will see exhibitions curated by the community for the community, as well as other exhibitions co-curated by NHB and the community. Community here refers to cultural or ethnic groups, clan associations, special heritage interest groups such as the Singapore Heritage Society, the blogging community such as Yesterday.sg, etc who will be invited to work with NHB to curate exhibitions that tell their story – which is intertwined with, and part of the larger Singapore Story. This will help Singaporeans tell their part of the Singapore Story and make them understand that every Singaporean has an important part in the making of the Singapore Story. New Citizens will also be invited to share their Singapore Story.

Heritage Trails, Programmes & Travelling Exhibitions

NHB would intensify its community outreach and engagement efforts through the development of new heritage trails which showcase the heritage of the community, coupled with programmes and travelling exhibitions. The target audience of NHB‟s initiatives would range from children, students, to active agers. Through these initiatives, members of the community would learn more about their community and how their community fits into the larger Singapore Story. This enables them to feel proud of who they are and where they came from.

In 2012, NHB is re-launching the Jalan Besar heritage trail, as well as a new trail for Kampong Gelam.

Some travelling exhibition topics are below:

Tales from Our Shores This exhibition will feature tales our forefathers have passed down from generation to generation, such as "Attack of the Swordfish”, “The Snake in the Banyan Tree” and other fascinating tales.

Rites of Passage The different rituals and practices that signal the birth of a newborn and growing up, as celebrated by different communities in Singapore.

10 Years That Shaped a Nation, Learn about Singapore‟s nation building history in the 1965 - 1975 momentous years after our independence in 1965, as well as the major contributions of our founding generation of leaders and appreciate how they laid the foundation for Singapore as an independent city state. Many of the lessons learnt remain relevant today and in the future.

Five-footway Traders This exhibition looks at the trades and activities that are carried out along the five-footway.

The Of Monuments and Memories travelling exhibition, presented by the Preservation of Monuments Board, will continue to travel to schools in 2012. The exhibition features 27 National Monuments spectacularly portrayed through the camera lens. Of Monuments and Memories highlights iconic buildings that have stood the test of time, and continue to be symbols of pioneers and leaders who have made indelible marks on Singapore‟s history.

Tours to National Monuments: Monumental Walking Tours

The Preservation of Monuments Board continues its popular weekend walking tours to our National Monuments, specially catered for family and friends to learn more about our historic buildings. Designed and led by adult volunteers, each tour looks at a unique aspect of Singapore society and our built heritage. New tours will be launched in June/July. For dates and details of the tours, please visit www.pmb.sg

Monument Open House Nov/Dec 2012

Following on from the success of the inaugural Monument Open House in 2011 where 27 national monuments participated, Monument Open House 2012 will once again be held in Nov/Dec 2012 to enable members of the public to visit these monumental treasures. Members of the public can look forward to guided tours (some by monument owners themselves) and the opportunity to visit monuments rarely open to the public.

My Mascot and Me May 2012

Presented by the Preservation of Monuments Board, this inaugural photo-story competition is a nation-wide contest for primary school students to learn about monuments and practise story-writing. To participate, students have to visit at least three monuments, take a photograph at each monument with a mascot, and submit a short story inspired by the monuments. The competition offers attractive prizes for the best story or the student who visits the most number of monuments. The competition will be launched in May 2012.

Online Media Engagement

New media continues to form an important lever to reach out to the tech-savvy younger generation and make heritage hip and happening for them. This will also create opportunities for them to appreciate the importance of heritage preservation and promotion for future generations. NHB will leverage on new media channels, such as Facebook and web portals, to showcase the history and character of the community as well as organise events for heritage enthusiasts. These portals on community heritage will be accessible by all and would facilitate the promotion of community history.

Asian Civilisations Museum

Shadow Spaces: Photographs of the Old Supreme Court Building 17 Mar - 21 Oct 2012 Shaw Foundation Foyer

Historical buildings hold memories – of events, activities, and people. The spaces, now undergoing renovation, are recorded and revealed in these photographs by Los Angeles- based photographer Sean Dungan.

National Museum of Singapore

In the Mood for Cheongsam: Modernity and Singapore Women from the 1920s to 2000s 28 Mar - 27 Jun 2012 | 10am - 6pm, daily | Free admission

In the Mood for Cheongsam: Modernity and Singapore Women from the 1920s to 2000s tells the story of the changing social roles of Singapore women from the turn of the 20th century to present day by looking at the history and development of the traditional cheongsam, the female wearers, their fashion options and the economic, political and social conditions that dictate their decisions through the decades. For the first time, the National Museum presents its own collection of cheongsam from the 1920s to the present in this exhibition. On display are cheongsam which belonged to the wives of Singapore‟s political leaders of yesteryear, including Mrs Benjamin Sheares, Mrs Wee Kim Wee and the late Mrs . Several rare 1920s and 1930s cheongsam on loan from the Hong Kong Museum of History and the Film Archives, including cheongsam which belonged to famous actress Lin Dai, are also showcased in this exhibition.

1945 – 1965: Road To Nationhood In collaboration with National Archives of Singapore Dates To Be Confirmed | 10am - 6pm, daily | Free Admission

A collaboration between the National Archives of Singapore and the National Museum of Singapore, this exhibition brings the audience through the tumultuous period of post-war recovery and illustrates the challenges and hardships of building a nation. At the same time, the awakening of a national consciousness further contributed to the determined struggle for de-colonisation and self-rule. This exhibition endeavours to inform the general public of a journey which was not easily travelled and an independence not easily achieved. The events of 1945 to 1965 – rebuilding a nation, independence from the British and separation from Malaysia – set the stage in our quest for a national identity.

A Life of Practice – Kuo Pao Kun (working title) 14 Sep - Dec 2012

2012 marks the 10th anniversary of the passing of Kuo Pao Kun, the Singaporean playwright, director, intellectual and creator. As a forerunner, Kuo was constantly on the search for breakthroughs and progress. He enunciated his convictions through the form of theatre; his works transcended the limits of language, race and culture and delved deep into the core of the unique composition of Singapore‟s society.

The burgeoning Singapore‟s arts scene in the 80s, which witnessed new and fresh elements, is aligned with the iconic productions of Kuo‟s such as The Coffin is too Big for the Hole (1984), Mama Looking for Her Cat (1988), Descendants of the Eunuch Admiral (1995) and The Spirits Play (1998). At the same time, the creative path that Kuo had chosen is also an interesting juxtaposition with the emergence of Singapore as an economic powerhouse. The exhibition will feature a selection of photographs, manuscripts, letters, costumes and archival footages of Kuo‟s works and creations, which challenged and provoked the people in Singapore and many parts of Asia.

Historia SG Aug - Dec 2012

In addition to the regular series of Singapore history educational programmes which have gained a large school following, the National Museum of Singapore will initiate a yearly four- month series of public programmes revolving around Singapore history designed for all age groups called Historia SG from August to December 2012. These programmes will include special lectures, a seminar, student-centric workshops and a competition about Singapore history, Singapore‟s nation building and national identity, as well as special thematic tours to the Museum‟s permanent galleries – the Singapore History Gallery and the Living Galleries. The National Museum aims to promote Singapore history in a dynamic way by encouraging active participation from audiences through a variety of approaches, so as to share their own memories as part of a larger national historical narrative.

Singapore Art Museum

The Singapore Show: Future Proof 14 Jan - 15 Apr 2012 SAM at 8Q, 222 Queen Street, SAM Front Lawn &

Since the birth of contemporary practice in Singapore, signalled by the formation of , and the landmark exhibition, Trimurti, artists here have been exploring various genres of creative work – from sculpture and paintings to performance art, site-specific installations to graphic design and interactive media.

The Singapore Show: Future Proof presents artworks from young artists whose innovative and unique practices have generated attention and accolades in various art circles. Their artistic ventures take place from streets to galleries; their concerns local to geopolitical; their material both found and acquired. With strong, consistent and resilient presence in the local as well as international scenes, these motivated youth have enlivened Singapore‟s art landscape and can be considered to be amongst those to look out for today. Artists involved include , Donna Ong, Dawn Ng, Chun Kaifeng, Francis Ng, , : Studio and Keiichi Tanaami, Robert Zhao, Genevieve Chua, Shah Rizzal, and Rizman Putra

The Singapore Show: Future Proof is a parallel event of 2012.

Artists in Conversation: Geographies of the Mind 10 Feb | 7:30pm - 8:30pm | Programme Space, SAM at 8Q | Free admission. Registration required. Please e-mail [email protected].

Artists Donna Ong, Charles Lim, Robert Zhao and Shah Rizzal deal with specific aspects of urban and political geographies in their work: from the fragility and sadness of the city, to the multiplicity of perspectives and the exploration of ideas involving place and home. Join them in this interesting conversation on the geographies of their minds.

Artist Tour and Workshop: Speakcryptic 18 Feb | 2pm – 4pm | SAM at 8Q $12 (includes admission to the exhibition). Tickets available at SAM and SISTIC. Limited spaces. For ticket availability at the door, please call SISTIC.

Drawing inspiration from ancient Roman columns depicting military victories, street artist Speakcryptic‟s stairwell murals at SAM at 8Q draw a fascinating narrative of everyday life in Singapore. Join him as he shares his stories at The Singapore Show: Future Proof and take part in an exciting zine-making workshop.

Curator Tour 22 Feb | 7:30pm – 8:30pm $12 (includes admission to the exhibition). Tickets available at SAM and SISTIC. Limited spaces. For ticket availability at the door, please call SISTIC.

What does it mean to be a young artist in Singapore? Khairuddin Hori, SAM senior curator, takes visitors on a tour of The Singapore Show: Future Proof and addresses some of the challenges faced by young and emerging contemporary artists in Singapore.

Lee Wen: Lucid Dreams in the Reverie of the Real 20 Apr - 10 Jun 2012

Lucid Dreams in the Reverie of the Real is an exhibition of works by Cultural Medallion recipient Lee Wen based on the theme of dreams. Loosely inspired by a book he published in 1981 entitled A Waking Dream, Lee recreates some key works spanning two-and-a-half decades of his artistic career, alongside more recent ones. The vast selection includes installations, photographs, videos and documentations.

Best known for his Yellow Man series of work, the multidisciplinary artist is also one of Singapore‟s pioneering performance artists. Constructed personas in his work allow visitors an insight into the artist and provocateur, whose very being is motivated by a strong conviction of justice and idealism, with a persistence to stay true to the self in an unsympathetically structured world. Lee will perform live during selected exhibition periods and talk about his experiences and personal development as an artist, covering subjects such as memories and myth-making.

President’s Young Talent Dec 2012 - Apr 2013

Inaugurated in 2001, The President’s Young Talents (PYT) is a contemporary art exhibition series jointly organised by the Istana and the (SAM). The PYT series aims to showcase the work of upcoming Singapore artists whose practice is both promising and exciting, and deemed of high enough standard to represent Singapore at international art platforms.

Over the years, the series has evolved into its present format, where four promising young artists are short-listed by a curatorial committee to present a body of work at the Singapore Art Museum. Starting with the 2009 edition of the President‟s Young Talents, sponsorship from Credit Suisse has enabled the Museum to include an Artist Residency Award for this exhibition, whereby one artist is identified by the curatorial committee to be awarded a fully sponsored overseas artist residency, giving him or her valuable exposure to art communities and practices abroad.

The President’s Young Talents is Singapore Art Museum‟s key platform for identifying and nurturing upcoming Singapore contemporary artists. The commissioning element of this exhibition presents opportunities for participating artists to realise new artworks with support and funding from the Museum. In addition, the works in each PYT exhibition introduce the Singapore public to new and diverse approaches to art, beyond the traditional fine arts of painting and sculpture. Through the talents of each successive generation of artists, each PYT exhibition strives to educate and broaden public perceptions of what art can be and can achieve.

Peranakan Museum

Regarding Emily Emily of Emerald Hill and the Discovery of Peranakan Identity 1 Jun 2012 – 17 Feb 2013

Emily of Emerald Hill is one of the icons of Singapore drama. This one-woman play tells the tale of Emily Gan, from a young bride to a fearsome matriarch in the Peranakan enclave of Emerald Hill. The work has captured the imagination of thousands of theatregoers around the world, and given expression to Peranakan and Singaporean identity.

Local author Stella Kon wrote the play in 1982, drawing from her own family experiences. Various actresses have brought their own interpretations to the role, which has played an important part in the discovery of Peranakan culture. This exhibition will examine the creation and impact of this important aspect of contemporary Singaporean culture.

The exhibition will consider the genesis of Emily from the author‟s point of view as well as its context in Singaporean literary and theatrical circles. Stella Kon herself will install a gallery in the exhibition to suggest the context of the play: in part drawing from The Oberon, the house she grew up in, as well as an ideal setting for the play.

The exhibition will also explore different interpretations of Emily. Original scripts, programmes, videos, photographs, costumes, and props will be on display. Finally, the exhibition will place Emily of Emerald Hill in the context of theatre in Singapore – especially the legacy of Peranakan theatre, or “Wayang Peranakan”.

The will present several special performances of Emily of Emerald Hill by well-known interpreters of the role during the run of the exhibition.

Preservation of Monuments Board

Monumental Monuments, a wedding exhibition Late 2012

This exhibition focuses on how national monuments have stood as witnesses to important milestones in our lives. An open call for wedding photographs taken at national monuments will be launched in Jan.

Publications

Home Just Got Closer Published by: Education and Outreach Division Oct/Nov 2012

Riding on the successful inter-agency initiative in 2011 where copies of a booklet, Home Just Got Closer, were produced, NHB and partners will be publishing and mail-dropping into every mail box another booklet to promote inter-ethnic friendships and celebrate our unique cultural diversity. The booklet will be ready for distribution in October/November 2012 and will be a must-have as it will be in the form of a Survivor‟s Guide to Living in multicultural Singapore, especially in the heartlands. The book also aims to reiterate the fact that we have a rich and thriving living culture to be witnessed and experienced right at one‟s doorstep and gives a quick guide as to the do‟s and don‟ts when attending a certain cultural event or ritual. A must-have to avoid any embarrassing moments living in multicultural Singapore.

The Fearless Twins And The Time Machine (working title) Published by: the Preservation of Monuments Board (PMB) May 2012

This year, PMB will be publishing its first illustrated book on national monuments for children, written by both a local writer and a local illustrator. The book features 10 national monuments and will help children learn about the history behind these monumental treasures. During its launch, PMB will organise interactive programmes such as story-telling and creative writing at monuments to encourage students to visit these places of history. It will also encourage schools to use the book to teach English at the lower primary level. This will be the first title in a series of books for children.

Memories & Reflections: Documenting a Nation's History through Oral History - The Singapore Experience Published by: National Archives of Singapore Retail price $18.90, inclusive of GST

Memories and Reflections is a comprehensive step-by-step guide on conducting oral history. Researched and written by the alumni and current staff of the Oral History Centre, the manual takes the reader through preparation for the interview, the recording process and goes 'behind the scene' to show how the recorded information is processed and preserved. The unique feature of the 2007 edition is the inclusion of many oral history extracts to illustrate the various aspects of oral history methodology including the 'do's and 'don'ts' of interviewing, and how oral history dissemination is done via the various media.

Connecting Our Communities

70th Anniversary of the Battle for Singapore, 1941-1942 27 Jan - 29 Feb 2012 Various Venues

2012 marks the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Singapore, the darkest chapter in Singapore‟s story. This fateful event cut across all Singaporeans regardless of race, language or religion, and speaks of how we survived extreme hardship and emerged stronger as an independent nation and people.

NHB will be commemorating this event with a variety of initiatives including new World War II trails, Resilience Trails specially customised for students, tours of an old air raid shelter in Singapore, exhibitions on the battle at Adam Park, and the Haxworth collection, commemorative collar pins, and talks and seminars where war survivors will share their experiences. There will also be a Remembrance Ceremony at Kranji War Cemetery on 15 February to honour the war dead.

Free admission to the Singapore History Gallery at National Museum of Singapore, Reflections at Bukit Chandu and Memories at Old Ford Factory from 15 – 19 Feb. Reflections will be opened all Mondays in Feb, Memories will be opened from 9am on all Sundays in Feb.

Singapore HeritageFest 20 – 29 July 2012 Various heartland locations

NHB‟s signature community outreach event Singapore HeritageFest (SHF) 2012, now in its 9th year, will bring our communities closer together through an exploration of what binds us together as Singaporeans. SHF will explore what it means to build a shared home for everyone, through celebrating our multi-cultural heritage, our shared memories and our aspirations for the future - all of which combine to make Singapore our unique and irreplaceable home.

This year, SHF will bring heritage, culture and arts to your doorstep with island-wide Satellite Hubs across Singapore. These Hubs will feature exhibitions and programmes, developed together with our communities, that will bring our shared heritage to life and encourage Singaporeans to think about their own ideas of a shared home. NHB will be working with new and old partners from the private and public sectors, to reach a wider pool of audiences and participants, and to achieve deeper, more meaningful engagement with SHF. Target audiences that SHF will be reaching out to include students and youth, families, our silver- haired communities and new citizens.

SHF reaches over a million people each year and it aims to celebrate Singapore‟s multicultural heritage and raise awareness and appreciation levels for our shared heritage. It also promotes inter-racial harmony and engages communities to get to know and bond with one another through shared memories and cultural events that appeal to everyone. For more information on past festivals, please visit heritagefest.sg.

Children’s Season 2012 Jointly presented by National Heritage Board and Museum Roundtable 18 May – 24 Jun 2012 Various museums

The fun never ends as the National Heritage Board and Museum Roundtable return with the popular Children’s Season 2012! Expect a plethora of children-centric programmes, engaging family activities and interactive exhibits that will inspire, engage and educate the little ones. So take a leap with your family and friends into a wonderland of excitement this holiday break!

At the National Museum of Singapore, Children’s Season 2012 will bring a whole new level of experience for children, their parents, educators and everyone young at heart. Positioned as an entry point into understanding Singapore‟s history and heritage, Children‟s Season 2012 will adopt a new storytelling approach that combines interactive showcases, historical narratives and dynamic programming to reach out to new and existing groups of audiences. The use of a museum-centric educational approach will further enhance the museum as a platform for learning, while building a rich environment for interactivity with a creative team comprising of writers, designers and educators.

Art Garden: Children’s Season, held at the Singapore Art Museum, will return with a selection of artworks chosen for their imagination and interactivity. Art Garden will provide a learning playground for contemporary art to children and families. This has always been the focus of Art Garden: Children’s Season.

Visit www.museums.com.sg in late May to find out more about the Children’s Season 2012 exhibits and programmes at participating museums as well as other exciting promotions.

Night Festival 31 Aug and 1 Sep 2012 7.30pm to 2am (TBC) National Museum of Singapore, Peranakan Museum, Singapore Art Museum, Singapore Management University Campus Green, The Substation

Art and culture spill onto the streets at Night Festival, a nocturnal extravaganza of theatre, music, dance and the visual arts at the heart of Singapore‟s arts and heritage district! Started in 2009, it has since grown to be the highlight event for the Bras Basah-Bugis cultural precinct. Attracting more than 200,000 people over two weekends last year, it would return in 2012 with renewed vigour and oomph to bring excitement and buzz to the area, and Singapore‟s nightlife.

This fifth instalment of Night Festival sets to dazzle with spectacular theatrical performances, music, dance and installation artworks, showcasing both local and foreign talents. The main events will take place on the public green spaces of the Singapore Management University, with late night openings and special events in local cultural venues like the National Museum of Singapore, Singapore Art Museum, the Peranakan Museum and The Substation.

In conjunction, the Singapore Art Museum will be presenting Night Lights, an outdoor showcase of spectacular light installations, which promises to be a visual feast for all to enjoy.

For more information on past festivals, please visit http://nationalmuseum.sg/Events.aspx?id=20&cat=3&status=R

National Museum of Singapore

New Educational Workshop for Students: Puppets Alive! – Discovering Singapore’s History through Traditional Chinese Puppetry Year-long programme for 2012

In this specially designed workshop conducted by professional puppeteers from The Finger Players, a theatre group based in Singapore, students will get to watch how skilful puppeteers bring traditional Chinese hand puppets to life and learn about Singapore‟s past and heritage in an interactive setting. Students will find out more about Singapore‟s early days as an immigrant society through story-telling, puppet play and a specially designed gallery tour to the Museum‟s Film & Wayang gallery. While learning about the culture and importance of traditional street performances and art forms, students will have opportunities to try their hands at performing traditional Chinese puppetry and make their own puppets or put together their own puppet shows.

The Film Music of Zubir Said In collaboration with Cathay Keris 11 Oct – 21 Oct 2012

Elderly Malay cinema fans remember that Zubir Said started composing film music for Shaw Brothers in 1949 on a freelance basis. A year later, he was introduced to the manager of Cathay Keris Film Productions (Pte) Ltd, which was then starting to produce Malay films. He wrote music for Cathay films for 14 years until his retirement in 1964. He composed not only incidental music but complete soundtracks – it was an entirely new field and Zubir Said was the pioneer.

Like the Japanese soundtrack maestro, Toru Takemitsu, Zubir Said also had a grasp of both Western and Asian music, and he brought Malay music to the fore in his work. Hence at the 9th Asian Film Festival in 1962, his soundtrack for Hussein Haniff's Dang Anom, won for Best Folk Songs and Dances. His work in film music constitutes his middle and later period of his composing career.

Singapore Art Museum

SAM Learning Gallery: People and Places Runs through 31 December 2012

The Learning Gallery is SAM's permanent exhibition dedicated to presenting artworks selected from the museum's collection to promote engagement and discussion of broader issues through contemporary art. The gallery also aims to nurture an appreciation for art and develop creative and analytical thinking among its visitors, including the young.

People And Places showcases twenty Southeast Asian contemporary art works from the SAM's permanent collection that looks at the people, places and spaces around us. Revolving around ideas of identity, urbanisation, globalisation and the environment, these works present the artists‟ visions and interpretations of pertinent issues about living in the modern city.

Singapore Association of Mental Health 8 Apr - 30 Apr 2012

Every year, the Singapore Art Museum collaborates with the Singapore Association of Mental Health to showcase art by individuals with special needs. Studies have shown that expressive art is a conduit for healing, discover and improvement to the well-being of an individual. This project will continue in the year 2012.

Yellow Ribbon Project Sep - Oct 2012

The Yellow Ribbon project is an annual event organised to showcase original artworks by inmates and ex-offenders to the community. The finest selections of art from the Singapore Prisons will be featured.

Singapore Philatelic Museum

Imagine Dragons 23 Jan – Dec 2012

Come Year of the Dragon, SPM is bringing dragons to life with stamps and interactive displays. Designed for children aged 5 to 10 years, the exhibition will bring them into the world of dragons and let their imaginations fly! Did you know that dragon legends appear in every continent in the world? Meet dragons from across the globe, including ones from Singapore! Discover what makes the mythical creatures tick, explore a dragon‟s lair and unearth some „real-life‟ dragons.

Spice Is Nice – A Children’s Exhibition Jul 2012 – Oct 2013

This exhibition is targeted at children aged 5 to 12. The exhibition starts with the early explorers and the quest for spices. Children learn about the importance of spices and the links between spice quest and the arrival of the European and the colonisation of Southeast Asia. There will be role playing and hands-on activities for children to see, smell and touch spices, learn about their properties and their applications in our daily life from health to food.

National Stamp Collecting Competition '12 31 Aug – 2 Sep 2012

Organised by the Singapore Philatelic Museum and supported by Ministry of Education, the annual national stamp competition seeks to promote the study of postage stamps and philatelic materials to learn about the world. Open to primary schools, secondary schools and tertiary institutions, participants select and research on a topic of their choice, and present their findings using a variety of philatelic materials. Students stand to perfect their research, organisation, language and writing skills. From January to June 2012, teachers can sign up their students for the hands-on workshop.

Peranakan Museum

Sarong Kebaya: Peranakan Fashion and Its International Sources Now till 8 April 2012

Discover intimate and unusual aspects of Peranakan fashion – see what women wore beneath their kebayas. Listen to Nonyas from different generations as they share recollections of wearing the sarong kebaya in a special video presentation. Marvel at the rare fabrics and inventive designs of this beloved fashion.

The sarong and kebaya changed overtime, adapting to new fashions and influences. Look for batiks with characters from the western fairy tales Cinderella and Little Red Riding Hood. Come for the first time, or come again to see the new additions, and immerse yourself in the world of the sarong kebaya.

Community Heritage Institutions

Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall (SYSNMH)

Festival of Abundance: Chinese New Year Celebrations 23 Jan – 6 Feb 2012 Free admission

SYSNMH will offer a series of CNY programmes and activities targeted at families for its annual Lunar New Year Festival. During this period, the SYSNMH will also be distributing free Mandarin oranges to the first 250 visitors on 23 January and 24 January 2012. The SYSNMH will be organising free cultural activities such as Chinese paper cutting, Chinese calligraphy, Chinese painting, Chinese lantern-making, Chinese knots and origami demonstrations, and Chinese riddles. There will also be a traditional Lunar New Year Food Festival and a lantern display featuring 50 lanterns on 5 February 2012.

Celebrations and Commemorations: Honouring Dr. Sun Yat Sen in Singapore and Malaysia Apr – Aug 2012

SYSNMH will be curating an exhibition that highlights the efforts of Singapore and Malaysia in commemorating Dr. Sun Yat Sen during the period from 1925 - 1942.

Wan Qing Yuan 3-Week CultureFest 文化飨宴艺晚晴 Sep 2012

SYSNMH‟s annual CultureFest to promote local Chinese arts, culture and heritage.

Sun Yat Sen - Between Singapore and Japan Sep – Dec 2012

SYSNMH will partner Japan Kobe Sun Yat Sen Museum, Miyazaka Brother Museum and the descendants of “梅屋庄吉” to co-curate an exhibition which focuses on Dr. Sun, his Japanese supporters, and their activities in Singapore.

Story behind the Dr. Sun Yat Sen - His Nanyang Supporters Oct 2012 – Mar 2013

SYSNMH will partner Hong Kong Sun Yat Sen Museum for its first overseas exhibition which will focus on the Nanyang Supporters who supported the 1911 Chinese Revolution.

SYSNMH Community Programme Jul 2012

SYSNMH will partner with the relevant Malay Volunteer Organizations to train and provide Malay Volunteer guides.

Malay Heritage Centre (MHC)

Re-Opening of Malay Heritage Centre

The revamped MHC will officially re-open to the public in 2012 and will feature a new storyline which highlights the history of Kampong Gelam as a port town and showcase the different aspects of Malay culture and heritage that originated from the Indo-Malay Archipelago. The new permanent galleries of the MHC will also feature more artefacts drawing from MHC‟s collection, the National Collection as well as contributions from the Malay community.

The new MHC will also offer two temporary exhibition galleries that will play host to travelling exhibitions, a visitors‟ centre, a flexible performance space as well as a learning garden.

Public Lecture Series: Kampong Gelam Episodes February – June 2012

MHC will be organizing lectures featuring distinguished speakers who will be leading discussions on Malays in Singapore as told through the history of Kampong Gelam as a port town.

Indian Heritage Centre (IHC)

Trades and Professions of Early Indians in Singapore 30 Mar 2012 Little India

The IHC‟s second public exhibition will focus on Indian Trades and Professions in Singapore. The exhibition will explore the history of the traditional trades and professions practiced by Indian migrants who came to Singapore from the early nineteenth century. The trades and professions include plantation worker, prisoners of war, (who worked on construction of buildings such as Istana and St. Andrews Cathedral), snake-charmers, dhobis and Chettiar moneylenders. The exhibition will be displayed along the five–foot ways of Little India‟s arterial road, Serangoon Road and its by-lanes.

Publications

Symbolism in Singapore’s Historic Chinese Architecture (Working title) Published by: the Preservation of Monuments Board Oct 2012

This richly illustrated book provides an in depth look into the symbolic significance of decorative features of historic Chinese architecture. National Monuments featured include Thian Hock Keng, Yueh Hai Ching, Ying Fo Fui Kun, Tan Yeok Nee, Thong Chai, Hong San See, Siong Lim Temple and other Chinese historic buildings in Singapore. The book serves as a guide for people visiting these monuments by deciphering the historical, cultural and symbolic meanings of decorations such as human figures, animals, plants, fruits and artefacts that are commonly seen on the buildings. The book will allow readers to understand the context of these Chinese historic buildings in Singapore history, and how their architectural styles reflect immigrant and community histories. There are plans to launch the book with a series of trails and lectures on historic Chinese temples.

Reflections & Memories of War Volume 1: Battle for Singapore - Fall of the Impregnable Fortress Published by: National Archives of Singapore Retail price $49.00 including GST

Reflections & Memories of War, Volume 1: Battle for Singapore, Fall of the Impregnable Fortress, reveals remarkable insights from before the War through to the fall of Singapore, including an extensive coverage of Singapore‟s brave last stand, and the courageous story of the Malay Regiment‟s valiant resistance against the Japanese invaders at Bukit Chandu or Opium Hill. The battle for Singapore in World War II began when the Japanese Imperial Army invaded Malaya in December 1941. Discover history as the story is unveiled in this book through vivid personal accounts, photographs, documents, oral history and images.

Reflections & Memories of War Vol. 2: Syonan Years (1942 – 1945) Published by: National Archives of Singapore Retail price $49.00 including GST

The Japanese Occupation forms an important chapter in the history of modern Singapore, as locals found themselves subject to the brutalities of war and the powers of a new military administration. Today, the memories and reflections of those who lived through these dark war years have been captured at exhibition galleries in Memories at Old Ford Factory, the site of the former Ford Motor Factory where the British surrendered to the Japanese on 15 February 1942.

Reflections & Memories of War will be produced in 2 volumes. Together they serve as a catalogue and resource guide that complements and supplements the galleries with intriguing oral history accounts and a fascinating array of documents and images extracted from Japanese magazines and newspapers published in Singapore during the Occupation years.

We are pleased to launch Volume 2 first which begins with the fall of Singapore on 15 February 1942 and which focuses on daily life during the 44 months of Japanese rule. The realism of the stories and accompanying visuals will open your eyes to life under the Japanese rule and convey valuable lessons of resilience, hope, creativity and adaptability.

Look out for Volume 1, which traces Japan‟s rise to power in the 1930s, defence of Singapore during the Malayan Campaign, resistance efforts by the locals before and during the Occupation to recover Singapore, as well as the subsequent surrender of Japan and the aftermath of war. Both volumes offer a detailed and compelling documentation of WWII archival records while providing a rich resource for teachers and students and an engaging reference for history enthusiasts. Visitors to Memories at Old Ford Factory can enjoy a special promotional price of $38.50 including GST (U.P. $62.50 inclusive GST)

This manual provides a quick reference for new comers to the field of oral history. For oral history practitioners, this publication will be a useful resource guide on areas concerning project management, collection documentation and preservation.

Appreciate World Heritage

Asian Civilisations Museum

Patterns of Trade: Indian Textiles for Export, 1400–1900 Ongoing to 3 Jun 2012 Venue: Special Exhibitions Gallery

Patterns of Trade: Indian Textiles for Export, 1400–1900 showcases over seventy beautiful Indian textiles from a recently acquired collection. These extraordinary cloths, some over 600 years old, show the deep roots of today‟s globalised world and the surprising and fascinating impact of cultural exchange. Innovative and immensely popular, they continue to influence the way we dress and how we decorate our homes.

This exhibition marks the first time that a major part of this important collection is shown to the public.

Providing For the Afterlife: Han Funerary Art Now to 4 Mar 2012 Shaw Foundation Foyer

For thousands of years, the Chinese buried precious objects in graves to provide for the departed in the afterlife. These burial objects – often miniature versions of people, cooking utensils, tools and animals – are called mingqi or „spirit objects‟. This exhibition introduces the broad range of Chinese funerary objects from the Han dynasty (206 BCE–220CE).

The Tang Shipwreck: Gold & Ceramics from 9th-century China 21 Jan - 17 Jun 2012 Gallery 2

Comprising some 60,000 objects, the cargo of the 9th-century Arab merchant ship which foundered off the Belitung Island in the Java Sea illustrates the early trading networks between China, Southeast Asia and West Asia. The exhibition features highlights of this extraordinary find, including exquisite metal wares and rare ceramic objects. Produced in Tang China, the forms and motifs of these items reflect cross-cultural influences and the aesthetic sensibilities of this period.

Treasures of the Aga Khan Museum: Architecture in Islamic Arts 20 Jul - 14 Oct 2012 Special Exhibition Gallery

The Aga Khan is spiritual leader of the Ismaili Muslim community. Prince Karim Aga Khan IV has formed a major collection of Islamic art which will be displayed in 2013 in a new museum in Toronto. This exhibition affords a unique opportunity to view some of the treasures of the collection. The complex architectural traditions of the Islamic world are explored through a hundred objects drawn from Iran, India, Turkey, Syria, Spain, and Egypt. Masterpieces of painting, metalwork, sculpture, and ceramics cover more than a thousand years of artistic productivity.

The exhibition considers the different concepts of space around a mosque. Many of the exhibited objects are fundamental to the lives of Muslim communities. Visitors will discover the dominant role of architecture in various types of Islamic art. Photographs and videos illustrate the historical background and inspiration behind artistic forms.

The exhibition is accompanied by an exhibition examining the arts of Islamic Southeast Asia, drawn from the collection of the Asian Civilisations Museum.

The Islamic Arts of Southeast Asia 30 Jun - 15 Oct 2012 Gallery 2

Although Southeast Asia is home to a large Muslim population, the Islamic arts of the region have only recently attracted scholarly interest. This exhibition, drawn from the collection of the Asian Civilisations Museum, covers many artistic media, including illuminations, woodcarving, metalwork, and batik. Religious objects, such as Qur‟ans, calligraphy, and tombstones, will be displayed along with secular objects (arms, textiles, pottery) from Indonesia and Malaysia, as well as from neighbouring countries – Burma, Thailand, and Singapore. We will also show Chinese porcelain and enamels made for local Muslim patrons.

The exhibition and its catalogue reveal how artistic forms from central Islamic lands were transformed by regional traditions.

Exhibition on Buddhist Art and Practice in Thailand 16 Nov 2012 – 24 Mar 2013 Special Exhibition Gallery

This exhibition explores the special nature of Buddhist art in Thailand and how it developed over the past two thousand years. Festive rituals will also show how art and practice are living traditions that remain an important part of people‟s lives today.

National Museum of Singapore

Gold Rush: Treasures of Ukraine 29 May – 26 Aug 2012

This exhibition presents the rich history of Ukraine told through a diverse display of historical treasures excavated from tombs and settlements in the forest and grassland regions north of the Black Sea. Ukraine‟s history may be traced to the early nomadic groups comprising the Cimmerians, Scythians and Sarmatians from the 8th century BCE to 4th century BCE, as well as the more settled Greek colonies on the northern coast of the Black Sea from the 7th century BCE. On loan from the National Historical Museum of Ukraine and the Museum of Historical Treasures, 260 artefacts dated from the 8th century BCE to the 20th century CE will be on display in the exhibition.

The exhibition will be featuring an important related section on the history of gold in Singapore. This includes a display of gold jewellery from Singapore, the Malay Peninsula and Java, with a focus on the techniques of goldsmithing commonly used in the region. The history of goldsmith shops will also be presented, along with an educational component on the properties and uses of gold and an exploration of its symbolic value and universal significance to various cultures. This is the precious connection that links the diverse histories of Ukraine and Singapore.

The White Wedding Dress: 200 Years of Wedding Fashions from the Victoria and Albert Museum, London (working title) Wed 1 Aug – Wed 31 Oct 2012

For the first time, the National Museum of Singapore presents a superb collection of white wedding dresses from the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. The exhibition tells the history of the wedding dress and its enduring popularity from the early 1800s to the present day through fascinating accounts about the lives of the wearers, their fashion choices and the economic and social conditions that they lived or are living in. Also on display will be gowns by celebrated designers, including Charles Worth, Norman Hartnell, Charles James, Zandra Rhodes, John Galliano, Vera Wang, Vivienne Westwood, Lanvin and Christian Lacroix. It also includes sumptuous wedding dresses worn by celebrites Dita Von Teese and Gwen Stefani.

A collection of western and traditional ethnic wedding dresses from the National Museum will also be featured in this beautiful exhibition.

The Golden Age of Mexican Cinema A Programme of the National Museum Cinémathèque Co-presented with the Mexican Embassy of Singapore 26 Jan – 29 Jan 2012 | Various Timings Gallery Theatre, Basement| S$9 (includes handling fees)

The period of 1930s to 1960s is canonised as the historical peak of Mexican cinema that encapsulated the heartbeat of a nation on the brink of modernity. Reflecting localised realities and fantasies, films during this golden epoch are popular forms of entertainment assimilated into the everyday life of Mexicans. They are also emblems of the idealistic search for a uniquely Mexican filmic aesthetic that established a unified national identity.

Exploring the rich legacy of this lively period of Mexican Cinema, this programme features masterpieces by Mexican auteurs synonymous with the Golden Age such as Fernando de Fuentes and Emilio Fernandez which include the revolutionary epic ¡Vámonos con Pancho Villa! (1936) and the exquisite melodrama Enamorada (1946) which stars the beautiful Maria Félix.

The Golden Age of Mexican Cinema is part of a cultural exchange between Mexico and Singapore that explores the most vibrant episode of each country’s cinematic history. The Golden Age of Singapore Cinema, which features classics from the era of major studios from the 1950s to 1960s, will be held in Mexico in late 2012.

Singapore Art Museum

The Collectors Show: Chimera Asian Contemporary Art from Private Collections 14 Jan - 25 Mar 2012

The Collectors Show: Chimera brings together major works of Asian contemporary art from private collections around the world. A tribute to the art patrons of today, the exhibition offers an insight into the breadth and richness of private art collections, introducing visitors to the personal visions and passions that shape them.

Titled Chimera, a deliberately evocative word that references both the mythological hybrid monster and the idea of an illusion, fantasy, or delusion, the exhibition presents contemporary art in all its various and hybrid forms, from painting to sculpture, to new media and interactive multi-media. The works selected eschew conventional spectacle in favour of a reflection on vision and visuality, offering up visually seductive surfaces tinged with undercurrents of anxiety. These artworks remind us of the spectres of our age – questions and issues which continue to haunt us and test our judgement at every turn and corner of our new millennium.

The Collectors Show: Chimera is a parallel event of Art Stage Singapore 2012 and independently organised by the Singapore Art Museum.

Artist Presentations 14 Jan | 2pm | Glass Hall, SAM Complimentary with purchase of admission ticket. Registration required. Please e-mail [email protected].

Immerse in an exciting line-up of artist presentations at the opening weekend of The Collectors Show, and take a closer look at the fascinating and unusual works of Asian contemporary art that collectors from around the world have added to their collection.

Curator Tour 18 Jan | 7:30pm – 8:30pm $12 (includes admission to the exhibition). Tickets available at SAM and SISTIC. Limited spaces. For ticket availability at the door, please call SISTIC.

Join Tan Siu Li, SAM curator, as she shares her thoughts on the artworks which, while beguiling on the surface, reveal deep-seated anxieties that speak of our contemporary condition.

First Love: Collectors in Conversation 3 Feb | 7:30pm – 8:30pm | Glass Hall, SAM | Free admission. Registration required. Please e-mail [email protected]. Take part in an informal sharing session as art collectors talk about the first work of art they acquired and whether, or how, their tastes have changed since then.

Southeast Asian Film Festival (SEAFF2012) 2-31 March 2012 | 7.30pm | Moving Image Gallery, SAM at 8Q

Now in its adolescence, the Southeast Asian New Wave is still pushing the region‟s envelope. Featuring 18 challenging works by Southeast Asian filmmakers, 17 of which are Singapore premieres, SEAFF2012 continues to highlight new works by key and rising directors. Noted films include Adolfo Alix Jr‟s gritty and fantastical Fable of the Fish, Kamila Andini‟s (daughter of Garin Nugroho) debut feature The Mirror Never Lies, Pham Nhue Giang‟s lyrical Mother’s Soul and Before We Forget, a documentary by young Singaporeans Jeremy Boo and Lee Xian Jie. This year, several films demonstrate why the Philippines is the current leader of the Southeast Asian film wave. Additionally, there will be a directors‟ panel on Southeast Asian film, and nine post-screening discussions. $10 for each film screening, $8 concession for students with valid ID, senior citizens and NSFs.Tickets are available from SISTIC. Ticket price includes $1 SISTIC fee. Limited seating, please purchase your tickets early. For ticket purchases at the door, please call SISTIC hotline 6348 5555 ahead for availability. Tickets can be redeemed for one-time museum admission from 1 to 31 March 2012. Visit www.singaporeartmuseum.sg/seaff for more information.

Jia Aili Solo 6 Jul - 23 Sep 2012

Born in 1979, Jia Aili is an accomplished Chinese painter whose works narrate a perennial sense of struggle, of a torturous world in which the speed of change and upheaval of the past is presented in an epic tragedy. Triggered by the external changes to Chinese society in which Jia is experiencing, his works however are of a personal nature, resolving these external influences within oneself. While best known for his monumental canvases in which sorrow and helplessness are presented in elegant almost beautiful environments, the exhibition will show another side to Jia‟s artistic practice, such as showcasing delicate paper works as well as installation presentations of his paintings

Singapore Philatelic Museum

Message Me 28 June 2011 – 31 March 2012

Message Me explores the importance of communication and its development from the Stone Age to modern day through the museum‟s permanent collection of over 200 postage stamps and communication equipment. The exhibition is designed as a fun and engaging experience with interactive exhibits for school children and families to find out about the many types of communication. The alphabet, semaphore signalling, Morse code, the World Wide Web which was made public some 20 years ago, depict different forms of communication and highlights of inventions which bridge distance and time.

The Adventures of Tintin 5 Nov 2011 – 31 May 2012 Tintin is the famous young reporter in the comic series created by Belgian Georges Remi, also known as Hergé (22 May 1907 – 3 March 1983). Tintin and his dog companion, Snowy, enjoyed exciting adventures that took them to various places in the world such as Tibet, Congo, USA, South America, Russia and even the moon! View the full range of Tintin postage stamps issued by Belgium, France and the Netherlands from the museum‟s Universal Postal Union Collection. Rarely seen original stamp artworks, colour trials, and other philatelic materials from the Museum Voor Communicatie in the Netherlands, and L‟Adresse Musée de La Poste in France are on display for the first time in Singapore.

Train Stamps and Models Exhibition Jul – Sep 2012 This thematic exhibition features the museum‟s permanent collection of train stamps, and locomotive models on loan from private collectors and organisations. This exhibition is targeted at train enthusiasts and families with young children. Visitors will be able to learn about the history and development of locomotives, and various types of train engines and carriages. Be treated to interesting stories and information shared by train enthusiasts in Singapore.

Thai stamps and letters Oct 2012 – Jul 2013 This is an exhibition on Thailand‟s history and its postal connection with Singapore. Collections of early royal letters from Thai Kings such as those of King Chulalongkorn, and King Mongkut; overprinted Straits Settlements stamps used in Bangkok from 1882 to 1885 , first Thai stamps issued on 4 August 1883 and the stamp artworks will be on display. These collections will be on loan from Thailand Post Company Ltd, Bangkok Philatelic Museum, and private collectors in Thailand. Visitors will be able to learn about the close ties between Singapore and Thailand since 1871, when King Chulalongkorn visited Singapore and presented a bronze elephant monument to our people.

The National Art Gallery, Singapore Seeing the Kite Again Series II Runs through 12 November 2012 Exhibition held at Singapore Art Museum This exhibition, entitled Seeing the Kite Again, is inspired by the late master Wu Guanzhong‟s metaphor of a kite and how it expresses the connection between an artist, his life and the people around him. By bridging Chinese and Western aesthetics, Wu blazed the trail for the modernisation of Chinese art. In 2008, the internationally acclaimed artist donated his largest gift of 113 important works to the National Heritage Board. Selected paintings from the donation have been presented since 2009 by the National Art Gallery, Singapore. The current exhibition showcases some of Wu‟s most outstanding works produced from 1960s to 2000s in the oil and ink medium. This is a special research exhibition by the National Art Gallery, Singapore, held on the premises of the Singapore Art Museum.