Artscience Museum To Host Interactive The World of Studio Ghibli Exhibition (4 Oct 2024 To 5 Feb 2025)

Artscience Museum will be hosting THE WORLD OF STUDIO GHIBLI exhibition from 4 Oct 2024 to 2 Feb 2025. This is a show that Studio Ghibli fans simply cannot miss!

The interactive showcase which features the charming Ghibli universe was held in Bangkok last year. Previously, the exhibition delighted fans in major Asian cities, like Hong Kong and Taipei. In a couple of week's time, THE WORLD OF STUDIO GHIBLI's latest iteration will land on Red Dot Island, and Red Dot Diva (who has probably watched all of the Ghibli movies), can't wait for it!

In case you are not familiar with Studio Ghibli, here's a brief history of the iconic Japanese animation studio. The company was founded by directors Isao Takahata, Hayao Miyazaki, and producer Toshio Suzuki in 1985. The studio's unique worlds and imaginative story-telling, depicted through detailed and emotive hand-drawn animation, are the key ingredients that have captivated film lovers worldwide. In a world flooded with flashy CGI effects, Studio Ghibli's hand-drawn films are exceptionally precious and special.

Studio Ghibli has received Academy Awards nominations for 7 of their films, and won Best Animated Feature for two of them - Spirited Away in 2003, and The Boy and the Heron in 2024.

Fans visiting THE WORLD OF STUDIO GHIBLI can expect to immerse themselves in 16 large and detailed theatrical sets displayed in 11 film galleries. These hail from beloved Ghibli movies, including My Neighbour Totoro, Spirited Away, Kiki’s Delivery Service, Howl’s Moving Castle, Princess Mononoke, and more! The upcoming show will also include the latest award-winning movie The Boy and the Heron. Needless to say, this would mean ample opportunities for your selfies and wefies. Who doesn't want to sit on a train carriage with No-Face?

You can also learn more about Studio Ghibli's intricate and creative process through 16 box art and trick-eye installations. At the end of it all - a retail store awaits you! Get prepared to be tempted by all those official Ghibli merchandise.

During the announcement of the exhibition, Vice President of ArtScience Museum Honor Harger said, "This year ArtScience Museum presents one of our largest and most ambitious exhibitions to date – The World of Studio Ghibli. It showcases the work of one of the most important cinematic production houses in the world, who have created some of the most beloved and critically acclaimed animated films of all time. We are incredibly honoured to host the first major exhibition by Studio Ghibli in Singapore.”

Studio Ghibli added: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to hold The World of Studio Ghibli exhibition at Singapore’s prestigious ArtScience Museum – a venue which is highly esteemed by Japanese visitors and many others. This exhibition will transport visitors into the realm of Studio Ghibli, where they will get to experience the films first-hand. Whether you are a Ghibli enthusiast or a newcomer, the exhibition offers something for everyone. As a leading destination for tourism and business, Singapore welcomes people from all around the world, and we hope they will also visit the exhibition to encounter the world of Ghibli and become fans of our films.”

Tickets are already available for purchase via Klook and Marina Bay Sands box offices. The prices for non-Sands LifeStyle members range from SGD 29 to SGD 49 per adult, depending on whether you are a local or not, and also, if you are visiting during peak or non-peak hours. Sands LifeStyle members will enjoy discounts on the tickets. There are also family ticket bundles. More details can be found at the two venues mentioned above.

THE WORLD OF STUDIO GHIBLI is expected to draw in a crowd of local as well as regional fans. So, in order not to miss out on the show, do get your tickets and book your choice slots early!


Dates: 4 October 2024 to 5 February 2025
Times: 10 AM to 7 PM (last entry is 6 PM)
Venue: ArtScience Museum, MBS
Admission: Visit Klook or MBS box offices (see links above).


----------------------------

If you enjoy Red Dot Diva's content, feel free to help her endeavours going by showing your support through ko-fi. Thank you!

Artscience Museum's Frida Forever (4 May to 1 Sep 2024) - An Immersive Celebration of Frida Kahlo's Unique Life

Mexican artist and icon Frida Kahlo is one of Red Dot Diva's favourite women personalities. The vibrancy and surrealism in her artwork, as well as resilience in the face of adversity, never ceases to amaze and captivate Diva's imagination.

Back in 2018, Red Dot Diva was thrilled to be able to catch the Frida Kahlo: Making Herself Up exhibit at London's V&A Museum. No photos were allowed at the exhibit but it did not matter. On display, were her personal belongings like her clothing, makeup items, her intricately painted plaster corsets, even her prosthetic leg. It was a very intimate insight to the artist's psyche, and her story continues to inspire people even in this day and age. So, when Red Dot Diva heard that Artscience Museum would be presenting FRIDA FOREVER - a line up of exhibits and events commemorating 70 years of the artists' passing in 1954 - Diva had to find out what the local event would be like.

FRIDA FOREVER consists of two connecting exhibits in Level B2 of the building, as well as a VR offering on the 4th floor. Here are Red Dot Diva's thoughts from her sneak peek of the exhibits.

FRIDA KAHLO: THE LIFE OF AN ICON

In this immersive exhibit Frida Kahlo comes to life with colourful interactive installations, digital technologies, and 360-degree projections. As you wander from one zone to another, you will learn about the fateful accident that changed her life trajectory and how that affected her decisions for the rest of her artistic journey and choices. Check out some of the highlights:

At an altar that is inspired by the Mexican tradition of Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), you will have the chance to contemplate and remember about Frida's eventful life.

A digital representation of the impact of her traumatic accident when she was 18 years old, is a powerful reminder of the suffering Frida Kahlo has endured for most of her life. The incident changed her feelings and thoughts about art, and it was the beginning of the outlet she needed to express how she viewed herself, her body, her beliefs and her struggles.

At the La Rosita tavern, Frida secured a space where her students were able to start painting murals. In this segment, you can sit down to colour your own Kahlo-inspired artpiece. Consider that a mission for Red Dot Diva! You can then scan your finished artwork and it will appear as a light projection on the wall.

Tada! How do you like Diva's work of art? :D

A crazily psychedelic light projection room depicts the various symbols and motifs that Frida Kahlo often use in her paintings. These include pineapples, monkeys, calaveras (Mexican skulls), and marigolds.

It is also a great photo spot for the 'Gram.

Frida Kahlo's look is instantly recognisable and her icon style has fueled inspiration for various fashion houses like Givenchy, Jean Paul Gaultier and Valentino. In this segment, a few Mexican-style clothing, including the huipils featuring traditional embroidery that Frida loves to wear, are on display for us to admire. The artist favoured long skirts to conceal her shortened right leg due to childhood polio, and later her amputation.


The piece de resistance of this exhibition is the 360-immersive biography of Frida Kahlo's, chronicling her life in 45 minutes. With a fantastic soundtrack that also feature readings of poems in Spanish, weaved in the moving visuals of key moments in Frida like her childhood, her time spent in San Francisco, her place of convalescence, her love for animals and plants and more.

After the getting to know Frida's story, it is time to delve a little deeper by heading into the next exhibit entitled...

LAID BARE: FRIDA'S INNER WORLD

This is a smaller and more intimate look into Frida's that consists of 40 photographs, diary pages, medical records, and exclusive interviews with Cristina Kahlo Alcalá — the great niece of Frida Kahlo. In the recorded interview, Cristina Kahlo Alcalá shared how she managed to obtain medical records from the American British Cowdry Hospital in Mexico, where Frida spent most of her time in treatment for her medical troubles.

It is amazing to see the rebellious and defiant look in her eyes in one of the main photos, against the pictures of her prosthetic legs, mangled spine and medical records. And from living with chronic pain throughout most of her life, she usurps the narrative to make it her own by displaying her pain and mental resilience in eye-catching and moving artwork like Tree Of Hope, Remain Strong (1946). The artwork depicts the duality of the universe - light vs dark, as well as her life - the one on the left, broken and marred by surgical scars, and on the right, the sad yet confident Frida dressed in vibrant red and holding the flag with lyrics from a song “Cielito Lindo”, which means “Tree of Hope, Remain Strong.”

Laid Bare: Frida’s Inner World is curated and produced by ArtScience Museum with the support of Cristina Kahlo Alcalá and Circe Henestrosa.

As you leave this exhibit, do not forget to admire the beautiful floral arch installation by Singapore-based Mexican artist and curator, Lidia Riveros.

EXQUISITE CORPSE: VR EXPERIENCE

To add on to the knowledge you have now acquired about Frida Kahlo, there is a VR experience entitled Exquisite Corpse developed by Layers of Reality and Blit Studios.

The digital journey begins when Frida was confined to the hospital bed while recovering from her health issues. This was the pivotal point where she decided to express herself through art. As you follow her journey, you will get to immerse yourself in a 360 view of her world, surrounded by her iconic colours and symbols.


Artscience Museum's FRIDA FOREVER tribute is a great introduction for those who are not familiar with the Mexican artist's life. Even for those who already know of Frida's extraordinary story, the displays provided more intimate details about her medical conditions, and enhances your appreciation of her outlook on life and death even more. When delving into Frida Kahlo's time on this earth, Red Dot Diva's tends to wonder if exquisite art is always spawned from immense suffering. What do you think?

FRIDA FOREVER runs from 4 May to 1 September 2024. Tickets can be purchased via Fever, at this link: https://feverup.com/m/165967


----------------------------

If you are not able to make it to FRIDA FOREVER, watch Red Dot Diva's walk-through video filmed while at the event's preview!

----------------------------

If you enjoy Red Dot Diva's content, feel free to help her endeavours going by showing your support through ko-fi. Thank you!

It's Winter Time And Changi Airport Gets Frozen 2

Winter has arrived in Red Dot Island again!

To escape from the heat and humidity, enjoy a little frost and snow at Changi Airport's “A Frozen Wonderland” as Disney “FROZEN 2” is brought to life at the different terminals, from now till 5 January 2020.

The main installations are held at Terminal 3's Departure Hall.

TERMINAL 3

MEET ELSA, ANNA AND OLAF
Always dreamt of meeting Queen Elsa, Princess Anna and Olaf in person? Here's your chance!

Head to the frozen wonderland at Terminal 3 and get there early to line up because this opportunity is FREE of charge, and there are limited passes available.

Dates: From now till 24 November, and 29 November to 1 December,
Times: 11.30 AM, 2 PM, 3.30 PM, 5 PM and 6.30 PM

Red Dot Diva got to meet the lovely and elegant Elsa, who was freely giving warm, cool(?) hugs to wide-eyed kids who could not believe that they have finally met their favourite character. Elsa complimented on Red Dot Diva's colourful hair. Red Dot Diva suggested doing her signature pose, but Elsa leaned toward her and whispered that she rather not make the hall too cold. So, they both made this gentle snow flurry power pose instead!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Red Dot Diva (@reddotdiva) on Nov 21, 2019 at 8:01pm PST

Get A Dose of Nostalgia At The Little Red Brick LUG SG50 LEGO Show

A long list of free activities began this week in celebration of Red Dot Island's 50th birthday.

Many attractions and sites are either offering free access (like the various museums) or discounted ticket prices (the zoos/ Gardens by the Bay), which would most probably mean snake-long queues and equally long waiting times. So, here's an alternative SG50-related event that is both free and would not need lining up in order to have some family fun!

Red Dot Diva highly recommends a trip to the National Library Singapore (Victoria Street) atrium for the Little Red Brick LUG's LEGO Exhibition, called "Past Forward: Hearts and Crafts".

These lovely structures - over 40 of them - were build by a group of passionate brick builders from the local community. From the displays, it was evident to Red Dot Diva that a lot of heart and soul was lovingly put into the pieces - many of which evoke much Nostalgia Feels.

Noise Singapore 2014 Showcase: Eclectic Expressions of the Whimsical and Weird at ION Basement 4

For those who are not aware, the art showcase for Noise Singapore is currently going on at ION Basement 4 this year!

There are only a few days left as the exhibition wraps up on 14 September. So, if one has time this week, do head down to the open area near Muji/ Jason's supermarket, any time from 10 AM to 9 PM, to admire some visually interesting works of art.

Noise Singapore, an initiative set up by the National Arts Council, aims to promote young artists, which include photographers, film-makers and musicians as well. Throughout most parts of the year, Noise Singapore had held workshops and concerts held to help create more buzz for these new artists. They could, after all, one day create something that might make the world sit up and take notice.

The Last Bookstore: (Happy Sigh) Diva in Book Heaven

When one is living or visiting Los Angeles, do not miss visiting this visually stunning shop called The Last Bookstore. It is a sight to remember as well as a great hideout for any book-lover!

The Last Bookstore is housed in what was used to be the Citizens National Bank, in a 100-year-old building at historic Spring Street, Downtown LA. The space is large - about 10,000 square foot of book heaven!

Upon entering the main wooden doors, Red Dot Diva felt that immediate familiar wave of swhoosh! when something wonderful and magikal is about to happen.

SDCC 2014: Diva's Fun and Laidback Preview Day!

A bright, sunny Preview Day is definitely a Diva-tastic way to start off the largest pop-culture event in the US!

And to have enough proteins and energy to get goin', one must have a good hearty breakfast - complete with caffeine input. A good place for that is the Broken Yolk, at the corner of J Street and 6th Avenue.

Red Dot Diva and her roomies walked to the breakfast cafe from their Hilton Bayfront Hotel early in the morn and was surprised to discover that the place was pretty empty.

Standing just outside the cafe, one of Diva's favourite geek dude, Artimus was already waiting for them. The group did not need to wait long at all for their table. 

Diva and Artimus

The Interactive and Illuminating i Light 2012 at Marina Bay

The Marina Bay Waterfront area is one of the prettiest places to visit at night on Red Dot Island, and one of Red Dot Diva's favourite people-watching spots.

Without a doubt, it is the perfect arena for the i Light Marina Bay - an outdoor light art festival on sustainable energy presented by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and organised by Smart Light Singapore (SLS). It is the first and only one held in Asia!

Last year, Red Dot Diva went for the first i Light Marina Bay festival with some of her friends. It was a muggy night but she remembered that it was moderately enjoyable, because it was the first time she was walking along the Promenade.

For this year's i Light, Red Dot Diva's hardy 68-year-old momma joined her as walking companion. It turned out to be a cool and beautiful night - great weather for a good leisurely walk around the bay.