Marina Bay Sands Enters Its Art Era With Its Annual Arts Festival
MBS' art festival, Where Art Takes Shape, returns for its third iteration with world-class art exhibits and gastronomic wonders.
It's officially art season in Singapore this month, what with Singapore Art Week 2025 kicking off next week. Marina Bay Sands is one of the key locations of this major event, being the site of the glitzy ART SG fair – but beyond ART SG, there's a whole slew of art events taking place throughout the integrated resort.
Cue Where Art Takes Shape (WATS) – Marina Bay Sands' festival that transforms the integrated resort into an arts hub unto itself. From January 16 to 26, the festival provides a platform to encounter art in all its forms; from the ongoing Studio Ghibli blockbuster, to exclusive culinary interpretations of art by MBS' chefs, the festival offers a rich and diverse curation of artistic experiences from all over the world. Scroll on for some event highlights.
ART SG
The biggest art fair in Singapore and Southeast Asia is at the heart of WATS, featuring a range of artwork, film, and talks for the serious art critic and aficionado.
What: ART SG is one of the biggest international art fairs in Southeast Asia. In collaboration with over 106 galleries, ART SG brings a range of art genres to broaden your artistic experience. This art fair presents a curation of contemporary art, films and videos, and talks and panels. The fair will also be presenting a selection of art films, and films about the lives and careers of well-known artists – those interested can catch the screening at ArtScience Museum.
For the aesthetes, an exclusive preview is up for grabs. On January 16, VIP ticket holders will have access to the exclusive vernissage and be the first to meet works from some of the world's most celebrated galleries, ahead of ART SG's official opening to the public.
When: January 17-19, 2025, various times
Where: Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Marina Bay Sands
Purchase tickets here
THE WORLD OF STUDIO GHIBLI
Meet your neighbour, Totoro, IRL at the ArtScience Museum.
What: As seen on FEMALE's TikTok, the ArtScience Museum has been hosting The World of Studio Ghibli exhibit since early October. With 11 galleries inspired by Ghibli classics like Howl's Moving Castle and Spirited Away, this exhibit is for those looking to get in touch with their inner child. You can literally step into the world of Ghibli heroines, and meet beloved characters like No Face and Totoro. For true-blue Studio Ghibli fans, the exhibit also offers a deeper insight on the studio's creative processes and bask in your childhood nostalgia. Even ArtScience Museum curator, Dimitris Kontopoulos, himself has a soft spot for Princess Mononoke, one of the films featured in the 16 theatrical sets in this exhibit.
When: Now until February 2, 2025, open daily (Sun to Thurs 10am-7pm and Fri to Sat 10am-9pm)
Where: Basement 2 and Level 3, ArtScience Museum, 6 Bayfront Avenue
Purchase tickets here
BEHIND THE CANVAS SERIES 1: JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT EXHIBIT
Experience the life and genius of renowned artist, Jean-Michel Basquiat. Get to know the intimate details of his early life, his days as a budding artist, and the thoughts and ideas that propelled him into the spotlight.
What: If you're obsessed with contemporary art, you'd know who Jean-Michel Basquiat is. An artist who changed the game for contemporary art, this artistic genius continues to make waves in art, fashion, pop culture, and even lifestyle. Making its global debut in Singapore, Behind the Canvas is a series of art exhibits that explores the work and artists who have transformed art movements and culture. Its first subject: Basquiat. Dive into Basquiat's creative process; sketches, illustrations and his blend of art, fashion, literature and technology are all on display.
When: Now until March 6, 2025, open daily 10am-8pm
Where: Level B2, Exhibition Hall D at Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Marina Bay Sands
Purchase tickets here
ALTERED STATES: EXPERIMENTS IN MOVING IMAGE
What does 'moving image' mean and entail? Of the many art installations and works, artist Youki Hirakwa presents Fallen Candles- Triplet. It depicts the passage of time through the patterns left by melting candle wax.
What: The Altered States: Experiments in Moving Image exhibit explores the blurring of boundaries between art, science and experimental cinema. Featuring a curation of local and international artists and filmmakers, each artwork asks the questions of what makes a moving image. Mediums and techniques within and beyond your imagination are being used; from the pensiveness of melting candle wax, to the science behind soap films, each work of art poses a challenge against traditional visual narratives. The result: the offer of new ways of seeing and comprehending the moving image.
When: Now until February 2, 2025, open daily (Sun to Thurs 10am-7pm and Fri to Sat 10am-9pm)
Where: Level B2, ArtScience Museum, 6 Bayfront Avenue
Purchase tickets here
CULINARY CURATIONS
This culinary wonders are as much a treat for the eyes as they are for the stomach. (From left to right) Mika Passiona by Benny Lim from Bread Street Kitchen and Kiwi, Cherry Blossom by Febie Futalan from WAKUDA Restaurant and Bar, Floating Island by Mandy Pan from Maison Boulud and Canvas by Abegaile Sanchez from Yardbird Southern Table and Bar.
What: For gluttons who also feast with their eyes, MBS' chefs have created a series of limited-time dishes in commemoration of WATS. Inspired by WATS' key colors (orange, pink, blue and green). During the festival, restaurants hosted in MBS will be offering exclusive Show and Dine bundles. From restaurants like Gordon Ramsay's Bread Street to Maison Boulud, chefs use their culinary expertise to craft artistic deserts and cocktails.
When: January 16-26, 2025, various times
Where: Various restaurants
Make a reservation here
ART TRAIL
Along the Marina Bay area, the MBS Art Path features a selection of art installations for anyone to visit. Sky Mirror by Anish Kapoor, for example, is a literal reflection of the city's energy and skyline, featured outside the ArtScience Museum.
What: When MBS' Art Path first opened in 2010, eight art installations were specifically commissioned for the path. It was part of the government's effort to integrate art into public spaces and for Singaporeans to integrate art into their everyday lives. Fast forward to 15 years later, the Art Path now has 11 installations by a range of internationally-acclaimed artists. Spanning across the Marina Bay area, each work of art was specifically chosen to compliment MBS's iconic architectural design. For casual art appreciators, this path is perfect for self-guided art exploration.
When: Always available
Where: Across the Marina Bay area
For more information here