Iconic amongst the Singapore skyline, the ArtScience Museum in Singapore performs the intensely tricky task of seamlessly fusing different worlds and ways of thinking, all within one futuristic building.

A Singapore Icon

The name says it all. ArtScience Museum placed at the feet of the lofty Marina Bay Sands invites guests to take a peak into a world they may not be familiar with; one which celebrates art and science simultaneously. Upon your initial glimpse at the fascinating, abstract structure, you might begin to question the influence or symbolism expressed through the design. The museums structure was designed to symbolise a hand, one with ten fingers, all anchored to a rounded base in the centre. Each finger encompasses unique gallery spaces of different shapes and sizes which feature skylights at the tip of each finger to illuminate the interior walls. Filtering natural light, the building is designed to showcase interior exhibits in the best light possible. This iconic Singaporean structure in the very heart of the city has been dubbed ‘the welcoming hand of Singapore’.

Impressive exhibitions

Housing a constantly changing range of international scientific exhibitions, the ArtScience Museum in Singapore works with a number of impressive institutions such as the American Museum of Natural History and the Smithsonian Institute. Topics and themes explored at the establishment have included, but have not been limited to, particle analysis, marine biology, space exploration and big data. ‘The Deep’ an exhibition on deep-sea life provided visitors with a chance to view a phenomenally large collection of sea life, and ‘The Nobel Prize: Ideas Changing the World’ showcased how Nobel Prize-awarded discoveries have moulded our world and the future for the better. Its safe to say that the ArtScience Museum is up to date and at the forefront of groundbreaking science. What’s more, with hints of environmental awareness and sustainable futures laced throughout the museum in endlessly creative ways, you’re bound to leave charged with environmental passion.

In terms of art, the museum has staged large scale exhibitions by world-famous artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Salvador Dalí, Andy Warhol and Vincent Van Gogh. More contemporary exhibits in the creative field have included multimedia pieces by Eric Valli that reflect real life along the Yangtze River, as well as displays about animation and the work of DreamWorks. Granted, the ArtScience Museum has housed insanely impressive collections and exhibitions relating to both art and science, but how do these worlds merge and interlace inside the futuristic, welcoming hand of Singapore?

Art, science, culture and technology intertwine

The mission of the ArtScience Museum is to explore where art, science, culture and technology come together. At this fascinating intersection, brand new, innovative ideas are formed and this is what the museum strives to express. In other words, the future itself is created when art, science, culture and technology work together; a very profound and inspiring thought. By pushing the boundaries with its world-class exhibitions, visitors to the museum will certainly leave with a lot to think about. No part of the ArtScience instils this concept of art-science fusion better than the museum’s permanent exhibition: Future World. In this section, visitors immerse themselves in a colossal digital universe of art installations, some of which are interactive.

Themes including Nature and Towns come alive in the form of thousands of fantastically coloured lights; its a treat for the eyes. Completely immersed in creativity and magic, the exhibition inspires your imagination in a world of playful possibilities. In the Universe of Water Particles, watch flowing water respond to your presence in the room, and in Flutter of Butterflies Beyond Borders, watch butterflies disappear as the room is left empty, only to flourish with vibrant colours as visitors re-enter. At the end of your journey through Future World, sketch animals and then scan them, to see them come to life and actually interact with them too!

Sustainable functions

Just like a great deal of attractions in Singapore, ArtScience Museum chooses to include sustainability in its design, using the most innovative of methods. The museum was actually the first in the Asia Pacific to attain an LEED Gold Sustainability achievement. This particular award, given by the United States Green Building Council, certifies that the museum stands out for its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). Taking into account the tropical climate, architects designed the building to capture rainwater which is channeled through the roof and collected through a Rain Oculus. Water is then used for landscaping and toilet flushing.

ArtScience Museum also has particularly efficient energy usage, and shows incredibly high performance standards when it comes to waste management and recycling. Recognised for its sustainable functions as well as showcasing groundbreaking science and technology, the ArtScience Museum stands as a progressive icon of scientific and environmental progress, contributing to Singapore’s already impressive profile.

Take a trip to ArtScience to explore a brand new world, sculpted to perfection through the use of vibrant digital art and mind-blowing creativity. Keep your mind open and allow yourself to be inspired by the colliding of science and art as they work together to showcase the history and future of scientific breakthroughs. A future with technology, science and sustainability all at the forefront looks to be pretty wonderful at the ArtScience Museum. 

Where?

Website: www.marinabaysands.com/museum.html

Address: 6 Bayfront Ave, Singapore 018974

When?

Monday – Sunday | 10am – 7pm