A series of visual art installations and programmes across key precincts in Singapore have been launched under a partnership between the Singapore Tourism Board and the National Arts Council.
Dubbed Art Around The City, the public art activations in four precincts – Gillman Barracks, Orchard Road, Little India and Chinatown – draw on the history, culture, and landscape of each precinct; while spotlighting Singapore-based artists and curators.
Running from January to April this year, Art Around The City brings the identities of the four precincts to life. Each site-specific installation sits at the intersection of art, culture and heritage, to resonate and connect with each precinct’s community.
At Gillman Barracks, The Forest Institute presents a large-scale architectural installation by artist Robert Zhao Ren Hui and architect-artist Randy Chan. A culmination of four years of research, it elaborates on how nature co-exists alongside urban life. Visitors will be able to sign up for special programmes that include morning nature walks with the artist.
Hyphen BB curates and showcases The Non Season in a takeover of Design Orchard in Orchard Road that features a diverse range of artists presenting mixed media artworks inspired by the ecological and commercial histories of the Orchard Road precinct.
The public can join various programmes by artists and retail collaborators featuring tours, exclusive merchandise, workshops, and performances.
In Little India and Chinatown, the public artworks will respond to the precincts’ unique culture and deep-rooted traditions. Singapore-based creative agency Texture Media invites the public to experience The Rangoli Movement, an installation incorporating the sounds and colours of Little India with master artist Vijaya Mohan.
At Kreta Ayer Square in Chinatown, The Gathering features Singapore artist Wong Lip Chin and curator John Tung recreating a teahouse set within a traditional Chinese garden that will serve as a gathering point for the public to take in tea and incense experiences.
Malaysia’s health ministry will suspend umrah trips to Saudi Arabia for a month from Saturday (January 8), in light of the rising number of Omicron variant cases among returning Umrah pilgrims.
During this period, the health ministry and other relevant authorities will be carrying out a risk assessment and updating the SOPs for umrah travellers, including making booster vaccines mandatory for all pilgrims in the future as well as monitoring their health status while they are in Saudi Arabia.
According to health minister, Khairy Jamaluddin, Omicron variant cases among Umrah pilgrims made up 64.08 per cent or 157 cases of the 245 cumulative positive Omicron cases detected in Malaysia as of January 6.
In a statement, Selangor Association of Travel and Tourism Agencies president, Fathir Badri, expressed disapproval of the umrah travel ban. He said a better solution would be to allow the Umrah pilgrimages to continue, but to tighten the SOPs for returning Umrah pilgrims at the airport.
He said about 10,000 pilgrims will be affected by the government’s latest decision as they have already obtained the umrah visa which includes hotel and transportation in Saudi Arabia, valued at RM3,500 (US$833).
He said refunds are not possible as payments have already been made to suppliers in Saudi Arabia, and also because the decision to postpone was made by the government of Malaysia and not Saudi Arabia.