J A N – M A R 2 0 16
THE GALLERY G U ID E
On the cover: Chua Mia Tee’s Portrait of Lee Boon Ngan was the larger-than-life centrepiece at the Gallery’s building façade during the Opening Celebration festivities.
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Copyright in the content on this publication may also reside in persons and entities other than, and in addition to the Gallery. The Gallery seeks to share our artworks with as many people as we can. We are fully committed to respecting the intellectual property rights of others and always use our best efforts to obtain permission for artwork images used. Please contact us should you have any queries about this. Unless otherwise mentioned, all artwork images have been provided through the courtesy of National Heritage Board. Unless otherwise stated, all artworks featured are from the National Gallery Singapore collection. All information is correct at time of print. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information within this guide. However, changes are sometimes unavoidable and the Gallery reserves the right to make modifications to the programmes without prior notice. Please check www.nationalgallery.sg to confirm details closer to each event. The views and opinions expressed by speakers, facilitators and docents at the workshops and tours do not necessarily represent the position of the Gallery. The Gallery Guide is published by National Gallery Singapore. All rights reserved. Materials in this publication may not be reproduced in part or in whole without written consent of the Gallery.
JAN –MAR 2 016
CO NTE NT S
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2 About the Gallery
Events & Activities
31 School Programmes
3 Director’s Message
18 Special Event
35 Gallery Publications
4 Art We Love
19 Film & Performance
38 Support the Gallery
6 Long-Term Exhibitions 8 Special Exhibitions 15 Gallery Tours
20 Courses & Workshops 22 Talks & Forums
40 Shopping & Dining
24 Community & Access
43 Ticketing Information
26 Kids & Families
44 General Information
ABOUT THE
GALLERY U N V E I LI N G M O D E R N S I N G A P O R E A N D SOU TH E A S T A S I A N A R T National Gallery Singapore is a new visual arts institution which oversees the largest public collection of modern art in Singapore and Southeast Asia. Situated in the heart of the Civic District, the Gallery is housed in two national monuments—City Hall and former Supreme Court—that have been beautifully restored and transformed into this exciting venue. Reflecting Singapore’s unique heritage and geographical location, the Gallery will feature Singapore and Southeast Asian art from Singapore’s National Collection in its permanent and special exhibitions. The Gallery will also work with international museums to jointly present Southeast Asian art in the global context, positioning Singapore as a regional and international hub for the visual arts.
BOARD MEMBERS Mr Hsieh Fu Hua (Chairman) Mr Jose Isidro N (Lito) Camacho Mr Chew Choon Seng Ms Chong Siak Ching Mrs Rosa Daniel Ms Jane Ittogi
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Mr Kwee Liong Seen Dr Kenson Kwok Ms Kathy Lai Mr Benson Puah Dr Suriani Suratman Mr Wee Sin Tho
DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE
Dear friends, The Gallery is finally open, and we are encouraged by the crowds of visitors streaming in each day. The New Year ushers in a slate of new exhibitions - alongside our permanent galleries and ink exhibitions, we present 2 new exhibitions at our Concourse Galleries in January - A Fact Has No Appearance and Earth Work 1979. We are also proud to present our first exhibition at the Singtel Special Exhibition Gallery in March. Reframing Modernism will draw on over 200 artworks by artists from Southeast Asia and Europe to re-examine the development of modernism in Southeast Asia. It will be the first in a series of international collaborations to come. There is something for everyone at the Gallery, and I encourage you to choose from the array of activities on offer - from daily tours, to film and performances, talks and workshops, family programmes, and special events for all like our monthly Gallery Late Night. We look forward to welcoming both our new and return visitors to the Gallery.
Dr Eugene Tan Director, National Gallery Singapore
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AR T
WE LOVE
DID YOU KNOW? This is Raden Saleh’s largest known work. He presented it as a gift to King William III of the Netherlands. See this in UOB Southeast Asia Gallery 2!
Raden Saleh Boschbrand (Forest Fire) 1849 Oil on canvas 300 × 396 cm Adopted by the Yong Hon Kong Foundation 4
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LONG -TERM EXHIBITIONS SIAPA NAMA K AMU? Art in Singapore since the 19 th Century Until 2020 | DBS Singapore Gallery
“Siapa Nama Kamu?” means “What is your name?” The inaugural exhibition of the DBS Singapore Gallery poses this question, inviting visitors to consider how art may relate to issues of self and community, and what it means to look at Singapore through its art.
Chua Mia Tee National Language Class 1959 Oil on canvas 112 × 153 cm
Siapa Nama Kamu? weaves together a rich and captivating narrative of artworks in a broadly chronological sequence, covering Singapore’s art history from the 19th century to the present day. Drawing on close to 400 works, it explores the influences and practices that have shaped and transformed Singapore art. Each artwork provides insights into why and how an artist responded to his surroundings and circumstances. Taken as a whole, the wide range of artworks reflects the complexities involved in telling this extensive story.
EXPLORE Get Interactive: Explore the Gallery’s collection on the multi-touch Social Table. Share artworks with your friends and family, explore artist connections and create a poster of your favourite artworks. Just for Kids: Go on a hunt for striped wall labels written for families and kids. Strike a pose, look for details and use your imagination as you learn and explore together.
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BET WEEN DECLARATIONS AND DREAMS: Art of Southeast Asia since the 19 th Century Until 2020 | UOB Southeast Asia Gallery
Housed in the former Supreme Court building,the UOB Southeast Asia Gallery presents an exhibition on the art of Southeast Asia through shared artistic impulses across the region. Starting in the 19th century, the history of Southeast Asian art is characterised by a continuous encounter with the new, inseparably linked to the region’s tumultuous social and political history. The meaning and expression of art was constantly negotiated as artists of Southeast Asia sought to incorporate and reinvent local expressions and aesthetic traditions as they grappled with modernity. The curatorial narrative explores four main themes in a broadly chronological sequence, each one critically examining the shared artistic impulse of the region for each period: Authority and Anxiety, Imagining Country and Self, Manifesting the Nation, and Re:Defining Art.
Juan Luna España y Filipinas (Spain and the Philippines) 1884 Oil on canvas 229.5 ×79.5 cm
EXPLORE Just for Kids: Look out for striped wall labels crafted specially for children to enjoy a fun day of learning together as a family. Travel Back in Time: Peer through the lens of a stereoscope. This optical instrument will give you a glimpse of life in the 19th century in 3D. Be Inspired: How do artists find inspiration? From an artist’s sketch to a poem, different pieces reveal more about the creative process behind the works. 7
SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS WU GUANZHONG: BEAUTY BEYOND FORM 吴冠中：大美无垠 26 Nov 2015–3 May 2016 | Wu Guanzhong Gallery
Spanning over 50 years of Wu’s career, this show features both oil and ink works, many of which will be on display for the first time in Singapore. Wu (1919 – 2010) was a major advocate and forerunner of synthesising Chinese art and Western modernism. This show highlights his proficiency in both Chinese and Western art traditions, and his distinctive contribution to the discourse of modern Chinese painting. “To indigenise oil painting and to modernise Chinese painting,” he said, “are two sides of the same face.” The Wu Guanzhong Gallery is named in honour of a significant gift of works by Wu to Singapore. This collection is the largest holding of his works in a public museum, and is one of the most valuable art donations ever presented to Singapore.
Wu Guanzhong Pines Upon the Yulong Mountains 1997 Chinese ink and colour on paper 136.9 × 68.9 cm Gift of the artist
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CHUA EK K AY: AFTER THE RAIN 蔡逸溪: 雨后 26 Nov 2015–3 May 2016 | City Hall Wing, Level 4 Gallery
Chua Ek Kay (1947 – 2008) was one of Singapore’s leading ink painters. His first show, in 1988, was a success, and within two decades of becoming a full-time artist, he enjoyed a level of acclaim that few other artists in Singapore had. After the Rain is a reflection of Chua’s artistic journey. He had a clear affinity with water, often referring to watery reflections, lotus ponds or rain in his paintings. Water also alludes to the potential for growth and renewal after adversity, which is a reflection of Chua’s artistic journey. It reminds us that although his practice has come to an end, his paintings have an afterlife, inspiring and captivating future audiences. This exhibition commemorates the significant donation of 38 works by the artist’s family to the National Collection in 2010 – 2011.
Chua Ek Kay After the Rain 2004 Chinese ink and colour on paper 244 × 120 cm Collection of Singapore Art Museum
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SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS EARTH WORK 1979 22 Jan–29 May 2016 | Concourse Gallery 2
In 1980, Singaporean artist Tang Da Wu presented his seminal Earth Work exhibition at the National Museum Art Gallery. Featuring land art interventions, earth installations and mineral pigment drawings, it was shut down after three days and moved to the Sin Chew Jit Poh promotion centre. This exhibition revisits that moment in 1980, displaying original artworks and re-creations alongside archival photographs, to explore the conceptual turn in Singapore’s art history.
Tang Da Wu Gully Curtains, 1979 Image courtesy of Tang Da Wu
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A FACT HAS NO APPEARANCE: ART BEYOND THE OBJECT 22 Jan–19 Jun 2016 | Concourse Gallery 1
Tan Teng-Kee. Fire Sculpture, 1979. “The Picnic”, Normanton Estate, Singapore. Photograph by and courtesy of Tan Teng-Kee
This exhibition investigates the impact of new ideas on Southeast Asian art in the 1970s by focusing on three key artists: Johnny Manahan (The Philippines), Redza Piyadasa (Malaysia), and Tan Teng-Kee (Malaysia/Singapore). Each artist broke new ground in Southeast Asian modern art, challenging the boundaries of painting, sculpture, photography, video and performance. Featuring original artworks, photographs and documents, A Fact Has No Appearance provides an insight into the approaches of three highly innovative artists during a dynamic moment in the region’s history.
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SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS REFRAMING MODERNISM NATIONAL GALLERY SINGAPORE AND CENTRE POMPIDOU PARIS 31 Mar–17 Jul 2016 | Singtel Special Exhibition Gallery
Cheong Soo Pieng Tend Cows 1951 Oil on canvas 40.5 x 71.2 cm Gift of Totalisator Board
The Gallery’s first international collaboration, this exhibition reframes the existing paradigm of how modernist painting is understood. Drawing on over 200 iconic works by modern artists from Southeast Asia and Europe, it invites us to reconsider how artists working in different global contexts approached modern art and modernism in the 20th century. For the first time, view modern masterworks by Southeast Asian artists such as Le Pho, Cheong Soo Pieng and HR Ocampo, alongside treasures from the Centre Pompidou collection by artists such as Pablo Picasso, Marc Chagall, Henri Matisse and Vassily Kandinsky
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Starting from individual artists’ bodies of work, Reframing Modernism leads visitors through an artistic-centric experience where they are free to explore and examine connections between different bodies of work based on common approaches, ways of working and conceptual orientations to modernism. Reframing Modernism, co-curated by National Gallery Singapore and Centre Pompidou Paris, is exclusively presented by Singtel.
Pablo Picasso La Chatte et le coq 1953 Oil on canvas 88.5 x 116 cm Collection of Centre Pompidou France Š Succession Picasso 2016
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SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS ROOF TOP COMMISSION
SIRA PISANG 24 Nov 2015–29 Feb 2016 | Ng Teng Fong Roof Garden Gallery
The artist with Sira Pisang 2015 Photograph by Chessa Lim
Malaysian artist Roslisham Ismail (aka Ise) is interested in how people live and relate to each other, often across cultures. Everyday experiences such as eating, conversing and travelling inspire his participatory events, interactive installations, drawings, books and animations. Since 2011, Ise has researched the cuisine of his home state of Kelantan, which traces its roots to the ancient Langkasuka kingdom that once included southern Thailand and northern Malaysia. Collecting recipes from people he meets across the region, Ise created a cookbook and series of drawings that share the delights of Kelantanese food with the world. This mural depicts how to make sira pisang (glazed banana), Ise’s favourite childhood dish. It reflects Ise’s open approach to art, drawing on popular forms such as comics and graffiti to create a work that audiences can view from above, walk through, or take home to cook for themselves.
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G ALLE RY TOURS Explore the rich history of our buildings and collections by joining a docent-led tour. These engaging hour-long tours run at different times in English or Mandarin. Registration opens 20 minutes before each tour at the Daily Tours counter located at B1 Concourse. 20 slots are available on a first come, first served basis. Tours are free but admission fees to exhibitions may apply.
GUIDED TOURS BUILDING HIGHLIGHTS English, 11am daily | Mandarin, 11.30am Fri–Sun DBS SINGAPORE GALLERY HIGHLIGHTS English, 2pm daily | Mandarin, 2.30pm Fri–Sun UOB SOUTHEAST ASIA GALLERY HIGHLIGHTS English, 3.30pm daily | Mandarin, 4pm Fri–Sun HIGHLIGHTS OF WU GUANZHONG: BEAUTY BEYOND FORM AND CHUA EK K AY: AFTER THE RAIN English, 4.30pm Sat–Sun | Mandarin, 2pm Sat–Sun
GALLERY E XPLORER APP You may also go on a self-guided tour using the Gallery Explorer App. Choose between a self-guided tour or curate your own. Download the app for free from the Apple Store. An Android version will be released soon. Avaliable for download on
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G ALLE RY TOURS SPECIAL TOURS Engage with experts in the field through a series of intimate tours led by our directors, curators and special guests.
Chua Ek Kay: After the Rain exhibition.
INTRODUCTION TO WU GUANZHONG AND CHUA EK KAY EXHIBITIONS Fri 8 Jan, 11 Mar | 7.30pm Tour departs from Level 1, Padang Atrium Information Counter $30 per ticket, available through our website and ticketing counters
Our ink exhibitions showcase the important contributions of two celebrated ink artists in integrating Chinese and Western art traditions through their innovative practice. Join Low Sze Wee, the Gallery’s Director (Curatorial and Collections) as he explores the main themes of the exhibitions through a selection of key artworks.
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ARCHITECT’S TOUR Sat 9 Jan | 10.30am Tour departs from Level 1, Padang Atrium Information Counter The tour is free but registration is required. Register through specialtours@nationalgallery.sg with your name and contact number.
In 2015, National Gallery Singapore was awarded the Architectural Heritage Award (AHA) in recognition of the exceptional restoration of the City Hall and Supreme Court buildings. Join architects from studioMilou and CPG Consultants, who helped to transform two of Singapore’s most significant monuments into a museum, as they share their insights on the process and challenges involved in the project. This tour is jointly organised by National Gallery Singapore and the Urban Redevelopment Authority as part of the AHA tour series.
吴冠中: 其人生和创作
THE ART & LIFE OF WU GUANZHONG
2月19日 | 7.30PM $25 集票可在本馆的网址或集票处预购
Fri 19 Feb | 7.30pm Tour departs from Level 1, Padang Atrium Information Counter
想了解关于吴冠中的人生和创作生涯？策展 人蔡珩博士将带大家看画，且分享吴冠中的 人生点滴和画作的背后故事。
$25 per ticket, available through our website and ticketing counters
Join Dr Cai Heng (Curator, Wu Guanzhong: Beauty Beyond Form) as she shares fascinating insights into how Wu’s life experiences and writing career shaped his artistic pursuits and practices. This tour is conducted in Mandarin.
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E V E NT S & AC TIV ITI E S SPECIAL E VE NT
Resumes Fri 29 Apr | 6pm onwards Please visit our website for more information
Celebrate the end your work week with a dose of late night inspiration at the Gallery! Once a month, join us for an invigorating line-up of after-hours programmes. Browse the exhibitions, go on a Gallery tour, or simply enjoy the live music and creative collaborations while indulging in specialty food and drinks throughout the night.
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FILM & PE RFORMANCE
PAINTING WITH LIGHT: SOUTHEAST ASIAN FILM SERIES Sat 5 Mar | 7.30pm Sun 6 Mar | 3pm Auditorium $10 per ticket (includes booking fee) | Tickets available through our website, ticketing counters and SISTIC channels
Held on the first weekend of every month, Painting with Light is a film series featuring some of Southeast Asia’s best cinematic stories over the last hundred years. The selection showcases works from the early cinema to present-day film industry by veteran and emerging filmmakers, significant for their observations on art and subjects that matter in this part of the world. Curated by Philip Cheah. Please visit our website for the full programme.
LIVE ART SERIES NATIONAL LANGUAGE CLASS BY SPELL#7 Fri 22 Jan | 8pm Sat 23 Jan | 8pm Sun 24 Jan | 2pm, 8pm City Hall Chamber $25 per ticket (includes booking fee) | Tickets available through our website, ticketing counters and SISTIC channels
Beginning as a Malay language lesson, National Language Class stages multiple readings of Chua Mia Tee’s seminal painting of the same name, in a bid to come to grips with an important moment in Singapore’s history. As it develops into a power-play between teacher and pupil, the performance toes the line between humorous and menacing, tender and explosive, asking: what is the relationship between who you are and the language you speak? And what does it mean to take a new language as your own—or to give yours away? The annual Live Art Series features productions inspired by the masterpieces of the Gallery, realising visual art on the live stage.
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E V E NT S & AC TIV ITI E S COURSE S & WORKSHOPS
中国水墨纵观：讲谈系列 INK MASTERS SERIES 不同日期 | 3pm–5pm| 礼堂
Various dates | 3pm–5pm | Auditorium 每堂讲课的售票可在本馆的网址或售票处预购
Tickets available through our website and ticketing counters
Held in conjunction with our Wu Guanzhong and Chua Ek Kay exhibitions, the inaugural Ink Masters Series takes you through the history and development of ink painting. Join our speakers for the following sessions: 为配合吴冠中和蔡逸溪的展览，新加坡国家美术馆将推出一系列中国水墨讲谈。 欢迎报名任何以下的讲课或者报名整个讲谈系列: 2月21日：宋、元时代的水墨发展 SUN 21 FEB: INK DEVELOPMENT DURING THE SONG & YUAN PERIODS 宋元时代，文人时代开始崛起。随着北宋苏轼提出以书法融合于绘画当中，文人画 的盛行逐步奠定了中国画崇尚平淡冲和的审美观。这时期的绘画多着重于表达道教 和佛教天人合一的思维。主讲学者将详谈宋元水墨发展的启发和影响。 3月20日：明、清时代的水墨发展 SUN 20 MAR: INK DEVELOPMENT DURING THE MING & QING PERIODS 明朝时代，画作的颜色开始较宋元画更为丰富。在画派方面，开始出现不同的画派。 到了清初，画家逐渐一反以往遵行绘画的传统，择而追求更为自由的画法。海派画家 如吴昌硕对新加坡水墨的发展，更有着深远的影响。主讲学者将详谈明清水墨发展 的启发和影响。 3月27日：中国近现代水墨 SUN 27 MAR: INK DEVELOPMENT DURING THE 20TH CENTURY– KEY ARTISTS 20世纪初至70年代，中国经历了风起云涌的动荡年代。 同时，中国艺坛也出现了 百花齐放的时期，并蕴育许多名家如齐白石、黄宾虹、傅抱石、徐悲鸿、林风眠、 潘天受、赵无极、朱德群和吴冠中等。70年代末经济改革开放后，艺术学院以及 毕业团体再次成立，中国艺术家亦尝试新的主題及技巧。主讲学者将详谈中国近 现代水墨的启发和影响。
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Wu Guanzhong Household of Hainan 2001 Chinese ink and colour on paper 58.4 x 69 cm Gift of the artist
4月10日：新加坡水墨发展 SUN 10 APR: INK DEVELOPMENT IN SINGAPORE 中国水墨画在新加坡的发展，可谓一个既延续传统、又不断更新的历程。在20世纪的大部分 时期，移居本地的学者和画家把书法和水墨画技艺传授给年轻一代。在源源不断的创作过程 中，几代艺术家均致力以水墨画法表现本土的丰富题材。随之， “新加坡水墨画”独成一派， 其特点是将中国水墨画的审美传统与西方绘画的表达手法融为一体。主讲学者将详谈新加坡 水墨发展的启发和影响。 4月17日：吴冠中的绘画与文学创作 SUN 17 APR: WU GUANZHONG’S ART AND WRITINGS 吴冠中跟许多同代的中国画家一样，在20世纪40年代到法国巴黎留学。他精通中国传统水墨 以及西方油画技巧，并且通过融汇中西以开拓创新之路。除了绘画，吴冠中在文学也有卓越的 表现。时隔30年之余，其文采和个人的独特见解，仍受艺术界的广泛关注。主讲学者将详谈吴 冠中的绘画与文学创作的影响。 注: 讲课将以华语进行，配有英语同步翻译。
Lectures are conducted in Mandarin and translated simultaneously into English.
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E V E NT S & AC TIV ITI E S COURSE S & WORKSHOPS
SUNDAY STUDIO Various dates | 2pm–4pm | Rooftop Studio Tickets available through our website and ticketing counters
Try your hand at art-making under the guidance of experienced instructors. Art supplies are provided. SUN 31 JAN | PATTERNED PAPER CUTS
This class introduces participants to the distinctive art of Chinese paper cutting. Learn basic techniques alongside the rich history and symbolism behind this traditional craft. SUN 20 MAR | INK PAINTING BASICS
This class focuses on painting with Chinese ink, giving participants a broad overview of the brush techniques and cultural ideas behind traditional and contemporary ink styles. TALKS & FORUMS
ARTIST TALK: A FACT HAS NO APPEARANCE Sun 24 Jan | 11am–12.30pm | Concourse Gallery 1 Free admission, 20 slots available on a first come, first served basis
Join Senior Curator Russell Storer and artist Tan Teng-Kee for an exclusive discussion about Tan’s works in the exhibition.
DBS SINGAPORE GALLERY: SIAPA NAMA KAMU? Sat 27 Feb | 2pm–4pm | City Hall Wing, Singapore Courtyard Free admission
Join our curators as they share behind-the-scenes insights on the making of the inaugural exhibition of the DBS Singapore Gallery.
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TALKS & FORUMS
CAPTURING THE MOMENT: EXHIBITING AND COLLECTING TIME-BASED ART AND ARCHIVES Sun 24 Jan | 2pm–4.30pm | Auditorium Free admission
This forum delves into the key complexities of collecting and exhibiting ephemeral or time-based artworks and archival materials in a contemporary context. Museums and collectors today face numerous challenges on how best to understand, conserve, exhibit and provide ongoing access to such materials. How do they approach the collecting of such materials and artworks when collaborating with artists and artists’ estates? What are the ethical and legal considerations involved in remaking lost or destroyed artworks or re-presenting performance art works? Join our panelists as they share their wealth of experiences and insights on the topic. The forum is conducted in English and translated simultaneously into Mandarin. 注: 讲课将以英语进行，配有华语同步翻译。
PA R T O F
SU PP OR TED BY
This forum is part of Singapore Art Week (16–24 January 2016). An initiative by the National Arts Council, in partnership with the Singapore Tourism Board and Singapore Economic Development Board, Singapore Art Week reinforces Singapore’s position as Asia’s leading arts destination. It is a nine-day celebration of the visual arts, offering a myriad of quality art experiences, from art fairs, gallery openings, exhibitions, lifestyle events and public art walks, to enriching discussions on art and culture. www.artweek.sg
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E V E NT S & AC TIV ITI E S COMMUNIT Y & ACCE S S
GALLERY SIGNS Sat 9 Jan, 13 Feb, 12 Mar | 3.30pm
Experience the Gallery’s collection in Singapore Sign Language (SgSL) through intimate conversations about art and history. Each session is led by a docent and Sign Language interpreter from the Singapore Association for the Deaf (SADeaf). This year Gallery Signs focuses on highlights from the DBS Singapore Gallery. 10 slots are available per session with limited spaces for SgSL students to observe. To register, please email nurdiana.rahmat@nationalgallery.sg. For information on community group visits, see p.45.
DBS Singapore Gallery 3
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SPECTRUM Sat 12 Mar–Sun 13 Mar | 11am–6pm Free admission to programmes but admission fees to exhibitions may apply
On the second weekend of every quarter, Spectrum presents special programmes that invite all audiences to experience the Gallery’s collection. Interactive performances, hands-on workshops and live demonstrations inspired by the art will bring family and friends together for a fun-filled day out. For its launch weekend in March, Spectrum shines the spotlight on this island we call home and explores what it means to us.
Look out for these highlights: • Cross-genre musical collaborations at 2pm and 4pm •C ontemporary dances inspired by traditional Asian aesthetics at 12pm and 3pm • Hands-on children’s activities as part of the Gallery’s monthly Family Weekends series from 11am–6pm (p.30) •C onversations about art and its benefits to our mental health at 11am
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E V E NT S & AC TIV ITI E S KIDS & FAMILIE S
The Gallery works closely with arts practitioners across various disciplines to develop programmes for families and children. Alongside our special programmes, the Keppel Centre for Art Education features four unique and vibrant art spaces with an exciting line-up of activities for kids all year round.
Students exploring and playing with colourful chips.
VOYAGE BY TWARDZIK-CHING CHOR LENG ALL AGES
ART CORRIDOR, KEPPEL CENTRE FOR ART EDUCATION free admission
Voyage is an interactive artwork inspired by topographical maps of waterways of Singapore. Colours, shapes and lines intersect, creating a lively colour scape that changes with the natural light of the corridor. Move colourful chips over hidden paths in the artwork, discover your favourite colour combinations and travel the longest distance without losing your chip.
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THE ENCHANTED TREE HOUSE BY SANDRA LEE 5–12 ART PLAYSCAPE , KEPPEL CENTRE FOR ART EDUCATION YEARS
free admission, registration required at the Keppel Centre for Art Education Family Reception
A fantastical play area inspired by the idea of “entering a painting”, The Enchanted Tree House invites young visitors to explore a magical forest, roam through a labyrinth and survive a dangerous river. Thrown out of the sea by a tornado, Fynn the Fish-on-Sticks, and his forest friends go on a journey to save their forest home from destruction. Discover mysteries, unexpected surprises and stories of friendship and courage along the way! Children must be less than 100cm tall to enter the tree house.
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E V E NT S & AC TIV ITI E S KIDS & FAMILIE S
HOME-A-SAPIENS BY TAN WEE LIT 7+ PROJECT GALLERY, KEPPEL CENTRE YEARS FOR ART EDUCATION free admission, special activity kits are available at $4/kit
Home-a-Sapiens is an immersive environment that encourages creative thinking through a hands-on experience. Hanging artworks, from homes in the sky to ones that travel with you, inspire visitors to imagine future dwelling spaces. They will be invited to dream up and build their own interpretations.
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VISUAL DICTIONARY BY MILENKO PRVACKI 7+ CHILDREN’S MUSEUM, KEPPEL CENTRE FOR ART EDUCATION YEARS
free admission, pocket sculpture starter kits are available at $2/kit
Step into the Children’s Museum and enjoy a display of artworks, experiments and art tools that provide insights into the artistic process. Explore handling objects, write about your favourite artworks and create a “visual postcard” for the artist.
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E V E NT S & AC TIV ITI E S KIDS & FAMILIE S
SUPERHERO ME WORKSHOP Sat 13 Feb | 2pm–4.30pm | Rooftop Studios Admission is free but registration is required. Register through programmes@nationalgallery.sg with your name and contact number.
Organised in collaboration with Superhero Me, a youth-led craft movement led by community artist Logue & design studio In Merry Motion, this parent-child workshop inspires children to rediscover the power of their imagination and the joy of creative confidence through costume making. Drawing inspiration from the Gallery’s collection, participants are guided by adults to imagine themselves as heroes and create costumes through hands-on craftwork.
photo: Superhero Me / Lien Foundation
FAMILY WEEKENDS Sat 12 Mar–Sun 13 Mar | 11am–6pm (last admission at 5.30pm) Free admission to programmes but admission fees to exhibitions may apply
Family Weekends features a line-up of parent-child programmes that use the Gallery’s collection as a springboard to introduce little ones to art. Designed in collaboration with artists and art practitioners, the programmes offer interactive experiences to awaken children’s natural curiosities and stretch their imagination to a whole new level! Visit our website for programme line-up and details.
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SCH OOL PROG R AM M E S Our school programmes support teaching, learning and research in art and museum education. Guided school tours engage students and teacher in active discussions, developing visual observation and interpretation skills. Each tour lasts 70 minutes and slots are available from Mon–Fri between 10am–4pm. Studio workshops develop creative and critical thinking through art-making activities conducted by our Gallery educators. Each workshop lasts 120 minutes and slots are available from Mon–Fri between 10am–3pm. Registration is required 4 weeks in advance. Please email school.bookings@nationalgallery.sg to register.
KINDERGARTEN SCHOOL TOURS
STORIES AROUND US Jan–Dec 2016
How do artists use colours, lines and shapes to tell different stories? S TUDIO WORKSHOP
LINES THAT MOVE Jan–April 2016
Using only lines, create an artwork that conveys movement and mood (in conjunction with Beauty Beyond Form and After The Rain). LIGHT, COLOUR, PLAY! Jan–Jun 2016
What happens when colours collide, overlap or intersect? COLOURS, SHAPES, PATTERNS Jan–Dec 2016
Explore shapes and patterns in our natural and man-made environment.
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SCH OOL PROG R AM M E S PRIMARY SCHOOL SCHOOL TOURS
STORIES OF HOMES Jan–Dec 2016
Does every artwork tell a story? Can art reveal unexpected twists to familiar stories? S TUDIO WORKSHOP
MAKE YOUR OWN STORYBOOK: MYSTERY & SUSPENSE Jan–Jun 2016
Explore using scale, ratio and proportion to create a sense of mystery in your artworks. FUTURE HOMES & FANTASTICAL CITIES Jan–Dec 2016
Create fantastical cities inspired by nature and architecture using collage and mixed media. THINKING & WRITING ABOUT ART Jan–Dec 2016
Develop interpretive and presentation skills through role-playing as curators, artists and art-writers.
SECONDARY SCHOOL SCHOOL TOURS
STORIES OF PAST & PRESENT Jan–Dec 2016
Are there more than two sides to every story? Questions must be asked! S TUDIO WORKSHOP
UNSENT LETTERS, UNSPOKEN WORDS Jan–Dec 2016
Explore the relationship between images and text and create a letter to your past or future self. NARRATIVES AND SYMBOLS Jan–Dec 2016
Create powerful stories using book pages, photographs and found materials.
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JUNIOR COLLEGE & ABOVE SCHOOL TOURS
BEHIND-THE-SCENES Jan–May 2016
Learn about the nuts and bolts of curating and installing ephemeral artworks from the curators and conservator (in conjunction with Earth Work 1979 and A Fact Has No Appearance). STORIES IN HISTORY Jan–Dec 2016
Let’s talk about how historical stories are constructed and understood (recommended to self-guide using activity sheets or the Gallery Explorer). S TUDIO WORKSHOP
CURATOR’S TOUR AND EDUCATION FACILITATOR -LED WORKSHOP Jan–May 2016
Learn about key curatorial ideas and participate in a conceptual art workshop (in conjunction with Earth Work 1979 and A Fact Has No Appearance). HOMES AS SOLITUDE SPACES Jan–Dec 2016
Explore form, structure and text to create artworks about personal spaces, public spaces and the community. Please email education@nationalgallery.sg for more details.
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SCH OOL PROG R AM M E S
Mayflower Primary School, 2015
SCHOOL OUTREACH The Gallery brings art appreciation to schools through art talks and travelling art kits. Students are introduced to artworks in the National Collection through lively presentations, discussions and quizzes delivered by Gallery-trained speakers. Talks are developed for Primary and Secondary schools and can support an audience of 40 to 1200 persons. There are limited sessions available for 2016, sign up soon! For more information, please email education@nationalgallery.sg.
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GALLERY PUBLICATIONS The Gallery publishes books on the visual art of Singapore and Southeast Asia. We are continually expanding our range of titles and have published to date a collection of children's books, exhibition catalogues and albums, as well as research titles. Our titles are available for purchase at our museum shop. For more information on our books, please contact us at publications@nationalgallery.sg.
SIAPA NAMA K AMU? ART IN SINGAPORE SINCE THE 19TH CENTURY: SELECTIONS FROM THE EXHIBITION Paperback | 120 pages | $12 inclusive of GST ISBN: 978-981-09-7384-1 This album offers an overview of Siapa Nama Kamu? through an inspired selection of 100 works from the exhibition. Beautifully reproduced in full colour, these images tell the story of nearly two centuries of art in Singapore—one of diverse influences, shared impulses and ceaseless flux. Accompanying curatorial texts explain the themes and concerns of the exhibition, making for a compelling look at the most comprehensive survey of art in Singapore to date. BETWEEN DECLARATIONS AND DREAMS: ART OF SOUTHEAST ASIA SINCE THE 19TH CENTURY: SELECTIONS FROM THE EXHIBITION Paperback | 120 pages | $12 inclusive of GST ISBN: 978-981-09-7385-8 This album presents an overview of Between Declarations and Dreams through 100 works from the exhibition. Carefully chosen and beautifully reproduced, these images speak of points of connection, as well as diversity, in art across Southeast Asia. Accompanying curatorial texts flesh out the themes and sections of the exhibition, constituting a timely, thoughtful look at the art of this region.
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GALLERY PUBLICATIONS SIAPA NAMA K AMU? ART IN SINGAPORE SINCE THE 19TH CENTURY (EXHIBITION CATALOGUES) Hardback | 312 pages | $75 inclusive of GST ISBN: 978-981-09-7352-0 Published to accompany National Gallery Singapore’s inaugural exhibition Siapa Nama Kamu?, the catalogue stands on the shoulders of giants to present a survey of Singapore art from the 19th century to the present, charting major themes across broad time periods. Over 400 works of art in a wide range of media are brought together to trace the ebb and flow of the history of Singapore art. Curatorial essays provide insight into the exhibition making, as well as examine the geographical confines of Singapore, the parameters of national identity and margins of time. BETWEEN DECLARATIONS AND DREAMS: ART OF SOUTHEAST ASIA SINCE THE 19TH CENTURY (EXHIBITION CATALOGUE) Hardback | 296 pages | $75 inclusive of GST ISBN: 978-981-09-7349-0 Years in the making, Between Declarations and Dreams is National Gallery Singapore’s inaugural exhibition of the art of Southeast Asia from the 19th century to the present. This handsome catalogue tracks the broad time periods and thematic sections of the exhibition with more than 300 artwork images. These are accompanied by essays that provide curatorial insight to a task as monumental and intricate as the positing an art history of a region as diverse as Southeast Asia. THE MAKING OF NATIONAL GALLERY SINGAPORE Paperback | 168 pages | $75 inclusive of GST ISBN: 978-981-09-7343-8 The Making of National Gallery Singapore animates the story of the origins and physical transformations of the City Hall and former Supreme Court buildings into National Gallery Singapore. Accompanied by stunning photographs, these chapters flesh out details of the colonial past of the buildings, the conception and organisation of the architectural design competition, and the ambitious ten-year envisioning, design and building process. 36
CHUA EK K AY: AFTER THE RAIN 蔡逸溪－雨后 Paperback (平裝) | 212 pages | $50 inclusive of GST ISBN: 978-981-09-7353-7 Chua Ek Kay is regarded as one of Singapore’s leading ink practitioners, celebrated for his distinctive visual vocabulary that bridges Chinese ink painting traditions and Western aesthetics. This catalogue accompanies an exhibition at National Gallery Singapore that gathers a collection of works presenting momentous inflections in over three decades of Chua’s prolific practice. Essays illuminate his approaches to ink painting and underscore his contributions to its development in Singapore. The catalogue also includes a heretofore unpublished manuscript interview by Chua discovered posthumously in his study, as well as reflections by Mrs Chua Ek Kay. SEEING THE KITES AGAIN: THE WU GUANZHONG DONATION COLLECTION
又见风筝－吴冠中捐赠作品集 Hardback (精裝) | 288 pages | $205 inclusive of GST ISBN: 978-981-09-7498-5 Wu Guanzhong has gone further than any of his contemporaries in fusing the Western and Chinese art traditions, and stands as one of the greatest artists of 20 th century China. In 2008, he surprised many when he made a generous donation of 113 works to Singapore. It remains the single largest donation made by the Chinese master artist to any public museum. This beautiful volume featuring essays, over 100 artwork images and a detailed biographical timeline, celebrates Wu’s art, life, his remarkable achievements, and his donation to Singapore.
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SUPPORT THE G ALLE RY The Gallery offers opportunities for you to enhance and cultivate your love for the arts. Your support helps us to build a world-class collection, pioneer original research, and develop our public programmes to bring art to a wider audience. Support the Gallery as a:
DOCENT Be part of a vibrant, growing community of individuals who are passionate about art, history and culture and want to share this with visitors to the Gallery. Our training programme will equip you with an understanding of Singapore and Southeast Asian art, and the history of our buildings. To learn more about becoming a docent, email docent.programme@nationalgallery.sg.
VOLUNTEER Volunteers play an integral role in supporting and fulfilling the Gallery’s mission of inspiring and engaging people through art. If you are passionate about arts, join us as a Best Friend of the Gallery (BFG). Choose from a wide range of opportunities, from engaging with visitors to supporting the research efforts of our curatorial and education departments. For enquiries about becoming a volunteer, email BFG@nationalgallery.sg.
DONOR Your support as a donor is crucial to the future growth of the Gallery’s collection and programmes, and you may be eligible for a generous tax deduction in appreciation of your donation. We will be pleased to advise you on the different ways of contributing to the Gallery. If you are interested in making a cash donation, please contact supportus@nationalgallery.sg. If you are considering donating an artwork to the Gallery, please email collections@nationalgallery.sg.
MEMBER From a promotional rate of just $20 a year (for the first 2000 members), you can enjoy a range of exclusive benefits—including free entry to exhibitions, priority booking for selected programmes, members-only events, discounts at our restaurants and bars, and much more! Sign up as an individual, join with a friend or together as a family. You can also purchase membership as a gift for your loved ones. For more information, email membership@nationalgallery.sg.
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National Gallery Singapore would like to thank our corporate partners for their generous support.
FOUNDING PARTNERS
DEVELOPMENT PARTNER
INNOVATION PARTNER
For details on sponsorship and partnership opportunities, visit www.nationalgallery.sg/support.
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SHOPPING & DINING Beyond exhibitions and programmes, the Gallery houses a range of art-inspired lifestyle venues including a suite of specially curated dining and retail spaces that offer a variety of cuisines and one-of-a-kind museum merchandise.
SHOPPING & DINING GALLERY & CO. CITY HALL WING , #01-05–#01-17
Sun–Thu 10am–7pm; Fri–Sat 10am–10pm
This progressive retail and dining destination presents a curation of art and design products alongside the Gallery’s unique and exclusive brand of food and goods to complete your museum experience.
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DINING AURA RESTAURANT CITY HALL WING , #05-03 | Tel: 6866 1977 Daily noon–2.30pm, 6.30pm–10.30pm Aura Restaurant treats diners to classic Italian cuisine and a world-class contemporary dining experience. The menu is an extensive expression of Italian creativity, showcasing a variety of antipasto, pastas and wholesome mains that feature the finest, freshest ingredients from the land and the sea. AURA SKY LOUNGE CITY HALL WING , #06–02 | Tel: 6866 1977 Daily 11.30am–1am Fronted by the spectacular skyline of the Marina Bay, Aura Sky Lounge is a stylish lounge and bar with a strong Mediterranean focus. Moving from day to night with its Mediterranean lunch and high-tea options in the afternoon, it becomes the ultimate rooftop bar with happy hours in the evenings. NATIONAL KITCHEN BY VIOLET OON SINGAPORE CITY HALL WING , #02-01 | Tel: 9834 9935 Daily 11am–3pm, 6pm–11pm Helmed by local celebrity chef Violet Oon, National Kitchen is a celebration of fine local flavours reflecting Singapore’s colourful culinary heritage. Dine indoors in an elegant dining hall or enjoy sweeping views of Singapore’s skyline with local bar bites and sunset cocktails on the veranda. ODETTE SUPREME COURT WING , #01-04 | Tel: 6385 0498
Mon 7pm–9.30pm; Tue–Sat noon–2pm, 7pm–9.30pm Odette reflects Chef-Owner Julien Royer’s respect for seasonality, terrior and artisanal produce. Using classic French techniques, Royer presents the world’s finest seasonal ingredients in their purest form and flavour.
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SHOPPING & DINING SAHA SIGNATURE RESTAURANT, BAR & CAFE SUPREME COURT WING , #01-03 Daily noon–3pm, 6pm–11pm Experience modern Indian cuisine with an innovative interpretation by renowned Chef Patron Abhijit Saha. Saha’s menu offers an array of eclectic flavours originating from the rich culinary tapestry of various Indian regions, recreated with a twist.
SMOKE & MIRRORS CITY HALL WING , #06-01 | Tel: 6384 5595 Sun–Thu 11.30am–12.30am; Fri–Sat 11.30am–1am Enjoy magnificent panoramic views over the Padang and Marina Bay while savouring a drink from a meticulously curated menu including signature cocktails, wines and craft spirits.
YÀN CITY HALL WING , #05-02 | Tel: 6384 5585
Daily 11.30am–2.30pm, 6pm–10.30pm; Sat–Sun (afternoon tea) 2.30pm–5pm Yàn offers diners the best in Cantonese cuisine. The sophisticated and innovative signature dishes crafted with diverse ingredients alongside familiar flavours promise to tantalise your taste buds.
Opening soon! Look out for a gastrobar and cafe helmed by Chef Saha of Saha Signature Restaurant & Bar.
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TICKETING INFORMATION Tickets are required for admission into all exhibition galleries and Keppel Centre for Art Education.
GENERAL ADMISSION TICKET Entry to Siapa Nama Kamu?, Between Declarations and Dreams, Beauty Beyond Form, After the Rain Singaporeans/PRs Free admission Non-Singaporeans Standard: $20 Concession holders: $15 Children 6 years and under: Free admission
SPECIAL EXHIBITION TICKET
Concessions apply to: Children (7 to 12 years) Full-time Students • Students currently enrolled in locally based institutions enjoy free entry • I nternational students currently enrolled in institutions overseas enjoy the non-Singaporean concessionary rate • A valid student pass is required for verification Teachers & Full-Time National Service Personnel (NSF) • A valid pass is required for verification Seniors (60 years and above) • An I/C or valid pass is required for verification
Entry to Reframing Modernism Children 6 years and under Free admission Singaporeans/PRs Standard: $15 Concession holders: $10 Non-Singaporeans Standard: $25 Concession holders: $20
COMBO TICKET Entry to all exhibitions Non-Singaporeans Standard: $30 Concession holders: $25
GROUP VISITS Community Groups The Gallery provides free admission to groups from non-profit community organisations, specifically Voluntary Welfare Organisations (VWOs), Non-Govermental Organisations and benificiaries, based on the Gallery’s eligibility criteria. To request an appointment, please email programmes@nationalgallery.sg. School Groups Refer to p. 31 for more information. Corporate or Other Groups Please email groupenquiries@nationalgallery. sg for more information.
A ticket is not required to visit:
Ng Teng Fong Roof Garden Gallery Concourse Gallery 1 Concourse Gallery 2 43
GENERAL INFORMATION EXHIBITION OPENING HOURS Mon–Thu, Sun and Public Holidays 10am–7pm Fri–Sat and Eve of Public Holidays 10am–10pm Sale of tickets and transaction will end 30 minutes before closing time
ENQUIRIES 6271 7000, info@nationalgallery.sg
GETTING TO THE GALLERY We are located at 1 St Andrew’s Road #01-01, Singapore 178957 By bus (stops at Parliament Lane) 195, 961 By MRT 5-minute walk from City Hall MRT station via the Art Connector 10-minute walk from Clarke Quay and Raffles Place MRT stations By taxi Taxi stand is located at Coleman Street entrance of the Gallery. Other taxi stands are located at The Adelphi and Funan DigitaLife Mall. By car Drop-off point for cars is located at Coleman Street entrance. Parking is available at the Gallery on B2 and B3. Entrance to the carpark is on the far right of Coleman Street after you turn in from St Andrew’s Road.
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PARKING RATES AT THE GALLERY Daily, including Public Holidays 7am–6pm $1.30 per half hour 6pm–1am $3.20 per entry $1.00 per entry for motorcycles
LOST & FOUND Please approach the Information Counter or Visitor Services located at B1.
FOOD & BEVERAGE Food and drink (including bottled water) is not permitted in the galleries and public spaces. Food and drink should be consumed at cafés, restaurants and bars only.
PROTECTING THE ARTWORKS Please do not touch the artworks. Even clean hands can damage surfaces. Running, shoving, horseplay or other physical acts that may endanger works of art are prohibited in the galleries. Young children should stay close to their minders and parents at all time. All large bags and bulky items including umbrellas should be stored at our lockers located at B1.
CONSIDERATION FOR OTHERS Respect others by speaking in soft tones.
All galleries and most facilities are wheelchair accessible. Standard-size motorised wheelchairs are permitted in the galleries.
ACCESSIBLE ENTRANCE An accessible path to the Gallery’s Coleman Street entrance is available along the Art Connector at North Bridge Road. The Art Connector begins at City Hall MRT’s Exit B, and can be accessed via an elevator at Exit D. Taxis and other vehicles may use the Coleman Street entrance to drop off and pick-up visitors with disabilities.
ACCESSIBLE PARKING Designated parking spaces are available for visitors with disabilities on a first come, first served basis.
WHEELCHAIR ACCESS Lifts are located on all levels of both wings of the Gallery for easy access to the galleries. Please seek assistance at the Information Counters or from the Gallery’s security. Manual wheelchairs are available for loan, free of charge on a first come, first served basis at the Information Counters. Unfortunately the Gallery cannot assist wheelchair users around the museum.
ACCESSIBLE TOILETS There are accessible toilets at every level except the Padang and Coleman Decks on Level 6 of City Hall Wing. 45
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