SingaPlural, the annual anchor event of the Singapore Design Week, has officially kicked off. Titled Unnatural Phenomena, this year’s edition of SingaPlural celebrates “the unexpected, the weird, and the wonderfully bizarre” by drawing on the evolution in nature and challenging disciplinary boundaries with unorthodox collaborations between local and international brands and creatives.
Here are 5 installations you shouldn’t miss out on at SingaPlural 2019.
- Tilt Shift by FormwerkzFor people who dabble in architectural photography, the term ’tilt; shift’ is one that is commonly used to describe two different types of movements to simulate shallow depth of field when photographing buildings. Drawing inspiration from this, architecture firm Formwerkz has come up with a wall feature that transforms the industry term into something every common man and woman can enjoy. Situated right outside the National Design Centre, this dynamic presence utilises ’tilt’ to create a dual point of view through 15 layers of PVC boards, and ‘shift’ to pull visitors into the exhibition by simulating the behaviour of waves that intensifies as you approach the main door. With the element of play attached to it, this installation is the perfect way to start your visit of SingaPlural 2019.
Image credit: SingaPlural
- A Portraiture of Facets by Admira x Studio DAMUsing laminates to create art? Colour us intrigued! In the world of design, laminates are traditionally used as surface finishes. However, when the people over at Studio DAM were going through Admira’s – a local surface design company – entire library of laminates, they started seeing each piece as an individual colour. Soon enough, the team begun viewing the entire collection as a diverse range of palettes, hues and shades. Through the inlaying technique, individual pieces of laminates were then pieced together to create an archive of faceted portraits any design-savvy person would be proud to display in their home.
Image credit: SingaPlural
- Graceful Fig by Stone Amperor x MM Galleri x Lian ArchitectsWho would have thought the humble graceful fig shell was actually a distant cousin of the sought-after Portoro gold marble? Sharing more than 50% of its chemical composition with the highly-prized material, the shell was the main inspiration behind this stunning installation. However, the three-way collaborators spun the shell’s primary purpose as a protective element on its head to create a truly unique showpiece. Utilising the Fibonacci sequence, the shell was unravelled to reveal an organically-shaped table surface, and the design was then brought to life by using MM Galleri’s patented state-of-the-art stone bending process to bend the Portoro gold marble into shape.
Image credit: SingaPlural
- Autumn by Decor Fan Singapore x FractionFor a fully immersive installation that ignites all of your senses, Autumn is a must-visit. Combining technology and art, this creative exhibit is inspired by the season of harvest. Surrounded by spinning pinwheels, simply put on the virtual reality (VR) goggles and you’ll be immediately transported into a glorious autumn landscape that’s been bathed in warm golden sunlight. And as the fan above picks up speed, not only will you be able to feel the cool breeze running through your hair and washing over your skin, the dancing pinwheels under the wind will also remind you of crisp brown leaves crinkling through the air and all around you.
Image credit: SingaPlural
- Enjoy the Silence by AntiCAD x TakahashiLim A+DWe listen to sounds everyday, but not many may know that it is due to the folds and undulations of our ears that we are able to channel and modulate sound. Inspired by the shape of our ears, Enjoy the Silence is a sculptural installation that melds complex mathematical principles with sound absorbing materials to create an unnaturally pocket of silence within the crowded foyer of SingaPlural. If you’ve ever wanted to shut out the noise and hide away from the hustle and bustle of the city, this installation will let you do just that.
Image credit: SingaPlural
SingaPlural 2019 will run from 4 – 17 March at the National Design Centre. Admission is free. For more information, visit www.singaplural.com.
