Coca-Cola Singapore Launches Galactic Hunt for Star Wars Lighted Bottles

The most OMG!! Wow! announcement from today's Singapore Comic Con (SGCC) media preview was the launch of Coca-Cola Singapore's specially designed STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER lighted bottles, as part of their “Full Force No Sugar Campaign”.

Soon after Red Dot Diva posted a video of the bottles on Instagram, she received queries on how Star Wars fans can get their grabby hands on this unique collectible item.

First, some quick facts about the promotional merchandise.

* These are the world's first lighted STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER Coca-Cola No Sugar bottles.
* There are limited editions - only 8,000 up for grabs.
* These are only available in Red Dot Island!
* There are two bottle designs - one Rey design with a lightsaber that lights up in blue, and the other for Kylo Ren, with a lightsaber that lights up in red.

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One more time —- a closer look at the Coca-Cola Star Wars: The Rise is Skywalker light-up bottle only available in Singapore! I have the Rey version at the moment. More info on how you can get your hands on one, in the link posted@on my profile! —— #CocaCola @cocacolasg #StarWars #theriseofskywalker #GalacticHunt #merchandise #singapore #lightedbottle #collectible #lightsaber #Rey #KyloRen #video

A post shared by Red Dot Diva (@reddotdiva) on Dec 5, 2019 at 1:37am PST

So, how can you nab these bottles for your own collection? Well, the bottles will be hidden in 45 locations around Red Dot Island from 6 to 22 December, and fans will have to hunt them down as fervently as a bounty hunter from a galaxy far far away.



To get your bottles, here are your First Order instructions. Read them carefully. Commit them to memory.

1. The Galactic hunt takes place over 3 weekends - 6 to 8 December (that is during SGCC!), 13 to 15 December, and 20 to 22 December.

2. At 10 PM, on the night before each activation day, five riddles will be released through Coca-Cola Singapore's Facebook and Instagram, and the official campaign website.

3. Fans have to solve these riddles. The answer will lead them to the location of a gatekeeper, who will hand them a special pass. The passes are redeemable from the gatekeeper from 12 PM to 8 PM each day.

4. Using this special pass, fans will be allowed to purchase a lighted bottle at the nearest 7-Eleven outlet. It will be at the price of a regular Coca-Cola No Sugar 500ml bottle.

5. The purchase of the Coca-Cola No Sugar bottle from 7-Eleven will have to be done by 9 PM on the same day.

“We are excited to be launching the world's first lighted STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER Coca-Cola No Sugar bottles here in Singapore. We know how special the iconic lightsaber is to the Star Wars universe and its fans, so we wanted to bring this to life and deliver a one-of-a-kind experience through innovative packaging and a fun activation for consumers. We wish them all good luck hunting and may the Force be with you!” said Lim Kean Yew, integrated Marketing Communications Director for Coca-Cola Singapore.

During the promotional campaign, fans can also win other Star Wars-themed merchandise - like drawstring bags, lunch bags, rolltop backpacks and Royal Selangor R2-D2 canisters. They can participate in the “Full Force No Sugar Campaign” by purchasing a regular Coca-Cola No Sugar 500ml bottle from any 7-Eleven store, and submit their proof of purchase at this link: https://starwars.coca-cola.com.sg

How exciting is that?!

Singapore Comic Con (SGCC) 2019 - Q&A with Creative Hong Kong-based Artist Tik Ka

Since Tik Ka Ng's playful mash-ups of Western superheros and pop-culture characters dressed in Chinese opera and traditional costumes have gone viral, Red Dot Diva has kept a constant eye on his Instagram feed to see what amusing images he will come up next. Even celebrities like Stan Lee and Robert Downey Jr have noticed these creative mash-ups!

In his Tik Ka from East series, he has drawn the Guardians of the Galaxy, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, various Star Wars characters, and even characters from the Minions movies in old school Chinese clothes.

Other than these mash-ups, Tik Ka has exhibited his paintings internationally in cities like London, Paris, New York and Milan. He has also designed for vinyl toys, like the attractive Hambuddha series, and the Chinese-looking Santa Guan figurines.

Red Dot Diva: Before Tik Ka from East series, you have another one featuring cute, cherubic babies, especially one called Chizi. How did this baby theme come about? 
Tik Ka (TK): I started from contemporary art. Before my discovery to infuse Chinese elements into the baby theme, I was a creative for an advertising firm. It was a highly charged profession, and I felt the strain. And it made me wonder if that is what I really wanted. I decided to leave that profession behind and concentrate on painting. I feel complete when I am busy with my paintings, and I have no regrets with that decision. 

Red Dot Diva: What made you decide to branch out from babies to drawing Western pop-culture characters and superheroes in Asian costumes and scenarios? 
TK: The baby painting art world or “Chizi”, is maintained throughout my paintings, while Tik Ka from East was derived from a culmination of Chinese elements. My years experiencing the mix of East and West culture while growing up in post-colonial Hong Kong has inspired me artistically. I try to mix these elements in my works, and I see the finished product as a representation of myself. 


Red Dot Diva: The Chinese opera costumes in these mash-up drawings are very detailed. Did you do a lot of research on this?
TK: I love Chinese culture! From the splendid food their dramatic opera, and its rich history and have spent countless hours researching. It is thus wise to find a balance between East and West elements, sort of like finding a common ground so as not to misrepresent any culture. 

Singapore Comic Con (SGCC) 2019 - Artist Alley Booth Highlight on Malaysian Artist Alan Quah

Malaysian artist Alan Quah has been a regular participant of STGCC's Artist Alley for many years, and he will be back again this year in the re-branded Singapore Comic Con, held this weekend at Marina Bay Sands.

A brilliant and versatile artist, Alan has worked with a range of comic book publishers, like Image, Titan, Zenescope, Valiant, Boom! Studios, IDW and yes, even DC Comics! His drawings of comic book characters look dynamic and powerful. They seem as if they might pop out of the page and step into reality any minute!

His artistic skills are also showcased in concept art for Royal Selangor's current line of Marvel and DC figurines.

Here's Red Dot Diva's quickie interview with Alan Quah: 

Red Dot Diva: Hi Alan! Nice to know that you are coming back to Singapore Comic Con this year! Is there anything different from your artist alley appearance this year, compared to previous years?
Alan Quah: It is always great to be back to Singapore and visiting Singapore Comic Con again. Even more so this year because I am coming with my family, the founders of Scott's Collectibles Alan and Daniel Scott, the people who were instrumental to getting me on mainstream comics and also with my buddy and colleague the talented Kael Ngu. This will be Scott's first year visiting Asia and we hope it will be the beginning of a larger presence with more of our colleagues joining the fun next year. And personally I am looking forward to see all my local friends again.

Red Dot Diva: You have done artwork for several comic book publishers - DC, Image, Titan, Valiant, just to name a few. Is there a particular project that resonates with you in a very special way?
Alan: I like to think that when I accept a project it will one that I am totally invested into and I will give my all to it. That has always been my approach. But if I have to pick one, it has to be my 1st mainstream DC Cover, Tales of the Dark Multiverse, Batman Knightfall. To those who followed my journey, know that I have gone through a lot trying to break in over the past 9 years. I came to STGCC in 2010 as an amateur artist hoping to get a break via the Marvel talent hunt, got shortlisted but eventually rejected multiple times over the course of the following years. Until this year, I got the DC call, thanks to my gaffer, and the 1st gig is a Batman cover. So yeah, that was something special.

Singapore Comic Con (SGCC) 2019 - Q&A With Artist Extraordinaire David Mack

Talented mixed-media artist David Mack was busy meeting and signing for fans at Tokyo Comic Con the past weekend. For his next convention stop, the creator of acclaimed comic book series “KABUKI” and the character Echo from the Daredevil series, will be in Red Dot Island for Singapore Comic Con (SG Comic Con) 2019 on 7 and 8 December. YEAHHH!

A fan favourite with the fans in this region, David Mack has been here a few times already, but he was still sorely missed last year when he was unable to attend the pop-culture convention due to other commitments.

Since the last time he was here, David Mack has been busy as always. He has been working with long time bestie Brian Michael Bendis again on the Jinxworld series called “COVER”, and drawing beautiful covers for comics, including Neil Gaiman's “AMERICAN GODS” and Chuck Palahniuk's “FIGHT CLUB”. In addition, he has been working on Dark Horse's new 400-page plus “KABUKI Omnibus”, which will be released in December in celebration of the 25th Anniversary of “KABUKI” .

Red Dot Diva managed to catch up with David Mack and talk about his various projects - the past, current and future ones!

Red Dot Diva: Helloooo David! We were so happy to hear that you will be back in Singapore for the comic convention. What is it about the convention and our island that draws you back? (Is it the Kopi-O, kaya and toast? Haha.)
David Mack (DM): I’m very happy to be returning to Singapore! The convention, the people, the culture, the food, the art & artfulness… all of it has been inspiring for me every time!

Red Dot Diva: What is it about your friendship with Brian Michael Bendis that makes the artistic collaborations between the two of you work so well? Do you both have your thoughts in sync?
DM: Brian and I have been best friends since 1993, so we have a long history together of creating together. We try to bring out the best in each other’s work, and I think when we work together, each of us pushes the other into a zone that we would not normally explore on our own. It feels like making music together in which each of us is contributing a part, and the other is building on that, and back and forth for each step.

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!

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

Barbie Celebrates Her 60th Anniversary With A Special Singapore-style Exhibit

For her 60th Anniversary this year, Barbie® has collaborated with The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) for a special exhibit held at *SCAPE. The showcase was launched as part of the Street Superior Festival, an event that focuses on street culture and art.

For the Barbie Doll exhibit, 18 local creatives and design brands has been challenged to customise Barbie dolls inspired by Singapore culture, street art or other interesting ideas.

Barbie doll by Josiah Chua

The display of 60 specially customised dolls, includes two by fashion designer/ stylist Josiah Chua. For one of the Barbies, he paid tribute to Red Dot Island as a Garden City, by creating a gown made out of orchids and other flowers. He also used turmeric, roselle and butterfly pea flowers to dye the outfits for both of his Barbies.

Singapore Comic Con (SGCC) 2019 - Q&A With Thai Award-Winning Manga Artist Prema-Ja

Thai artist and animator Prema Jatukanyaprateep - more commonly known by her pen name Prema-Ja - will be coming to Red Dot Island this December as one of the guests of popculture convention, Singapore Comic Con (SGCC) 2019.

In 2014, BOKBIG, her manga about a boy and his mischievous pet dog, beat 256 entries and won the 2014 Gold Award at the International Manga Award in Japan.

Prema-Ja's cheerful, colourful and fun artwork has been featured in children's books as well. Go take a look at her her social media accounts, where she has posted an imaginative take on Inktober with a series of wonderful mermaid drawings, and you will see what Red Dot Diva is talking about!

Red Dot Diva: What got you interested and passionate about animation art?
Prema-Ja: I think it is about the storytelling. When start working on my art projects - beside beautiful pictures, I try to focus on the story in the work. And I love telling a story so the animation art and also comic art serves my intention.

Red Dot Diva: Who are your favourite artists, and why?
Prema-Ja: Amano Yoshitaka, a Japanese artist. His style is unique. The ambiance in his work, mysterious and brimming with fantasy, fascinates me. Another one is Beatrix Potter, an English artist. I love how she draws humanoid animals characters. They are so attractive.

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A post shared by Prema-Ja (@prema_ja) on Oct 28, 2019 at 7:39am PDT