Yes, Can Touch: Larger-Than-Life Art To Interact With In Your Neighbourhood

Janelle Yong
Wed, 11 May 2022 00:00:00 Z

Wah, fun leh! Bishan-AMK Park, Jurong Lake Gardens, and Punggol Waterway Park just got a little more vibrant with five public art installations inspired by the changes we’ve gone through since COVID-19 hit our shores.

PHOTOS: ISAIAH CHENG

You've heard of Arts in Your Neighbourhood, now it's time for Art in Your Parks.

From now till 30 October 2022, three of our parks (Bishan–Ang Mo Kio Park, Jurong Lake Gardens and Punggol Waterway Park) are playing host to "As You Were", a series of five interactive and larger-than-life art installations that reflect their creators' imaginations of an endemic world.

Commissioned by the Public Art Trust under the National Arts Council, these artworks encourage you to not only look but also touch, interact and play.

PHOTOS: ISAIAH CHENG

PHOTOS: AARON LIM (LEFT) AND QUEK JIA QI (RIGHT)

"Can You Hear Me?" by Aaron Lim and Quek Jia Qi

Where is it: Bishan–Ang Mo Kio Park

How big is it: 7.0m (L) x 2.0m (W) x 2.2m (H)

What is it: Remember making your own "telephone" with styrofoam cups and string as a kid? "Can You Hear Me" is basically the same thing, except massive and made of fibreglass and powder-coated galvanised steel.

PHOTO: ISAIAH CHENG

PHOTO: DANIEL CHONG

"Small Moments" by Daniel Chong

Where is it: Bishan–Ang Mo Kio Park

How big is it: 3m (L) x 0.15m (W) x 3m (H)

What is it: "Small Moments", a giant half-eaten Marie biscuit made of marine plywood, plays on the absurd - and we can think of all the absurd photos you can take with this installation.

PHOTO: ISAIAH CHENG

PHOTO: TEO HUEY LING

"Our Dreams Must Continue" by Teo Huey Ling

Where is it: Jurong Lake Gardens

How big is it: Series of 4, Variable Sizes

- Design A: 1.74m (L) x 0.05m (W) x 2.28m (H)
- Design B: 1.13m (L) x 0.05 (W) x 1.92m (H)
- Design C: 1.26m (L) x 0.05 (W) x 1.55m (H)
- Design D: 1.59m (L) x 0.05m (W) x 1.41m (H)

What is it: Colourful, kaleidoscopic patterns in oddly shaped resin-and-steel bubbles? Beautiful and intriguing as they may be, this also reminds us of the nebulous form of a virus, and that COVID IS STILL AROUND, PEOPLE.

PHOTO: ISAIAH CHENG

PHOTO: ANG SONG NIAN

"Afloat" by Ang Song Nian

Where is it: Punggol Waterway Park

How big is it: 7.98m (L) x 2.01m (W) x 2.5m (H)

What is it: If "paper boat" is the first thing that comes to mind when you see this, you’re right! Inspired by paper boats (duh) and the masks we've been wearing for the past few years, "Afloat" is an 8-metre long inflatable made of Oxford cloth. Now that's a large boat!

PHOTO: ISAIAH CHENG

PHOTO: ADELINE KUEH (LEFT) AND HAZEL LIM (RIGHT)

"n o o n (at play)" by Adeline Kueh and Hazel Lim

Where is it: Punggol Waterway Park

How big is it: 2.6m (L) x 1.8 (W) x 2.5m (H)

What is it: These two seesaws have plexiglass shapes in the middle that look like wings. Grab a few friends, have fun reliving your childhood at the playground, and watch the "wings" flap as you play!