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Night Festival 2009!

Last Friday night saw Hina and I trooping down to the stretch between Dhoby Ghaut and City Hall for the famed Night Festival event.

For those not in the know, Night Festival is an annual event organised by the National Museum of Singapore, showcasing an outdoor extravaganza of theatrical performances. Boyfie went for last year’s event [I was out of town!] and was wowed by it, so I decided I should not miss this year’s buzzzz.

Anyway, by the end of the night , I have learned a very important lesson - THAT I SHOULD GET A DSLR [Or something. Anything more than my point-and-shoot. Bah.] .

Hina and I knew it would be a big event, but we didn’t know how huge it was until we reached the Bras Basah precinct. There were easily thousands of people! *taken aback*

One small section of SMU campus green where Bersama Hijau, the opening show of dance, percussion and vocals, were held.

The people at campus green were incredibly chilled out; they were either milling around watching the multicultural performances on stage or picnicking with their family on the grass while taking in the colourful scenes around them. It felt like Melbourne, where people sat outside the Melbourne Library to soak in the sun and sights.

Guess what caught Hina and my attention?

A late night bazaar! Ahem.

[I want a better camera!]

A weakness for flea markets, Hina and I hurried up to the row of indie shops in search of unique accessories, apparels and random stuff. Some shops were so packed I could hardly see what they were selling.

One of the stores selling handmade bracelets and necklaces.

There were a crazy number of peeps waiting purposefully outside the National Museum with their fanciful DSLRs and whatnots, and we were wondering what was going on. All was dark and quiet; something big was going to happen.. but only in two and a half hours’ time. -_-” The lights from the public art in the near distance distracted us so we went around to explore.

Public art - The Golden House Book.

There were two giant pop-up books like the one above. There were miniature artworks inside the houses which can only be seen clearly if you stoop down and peer in. I felt like Alice in Wonderland.

This is one of the reasons why I need a better camera - to take better night shots!

Kiddos were fascinated by the blinking LED lights and kept trying to crawl into the miniature houses. Laughs.

I was trying to get less blurry shots of the houses when someone beside piped up “eh, xiao jie [eh, woman]…” I turned only to come face-to-face with Darkelfin and his girlfriend. Lol. Didn’t expect to meet them even though I knew they were going. Apparently the rest of the gang was scattered around the premises, doing their own stuff.

Public art - The Tree.

The tree is a reconstruction of a series of interlocking frames with orange lights glowing in the night.

Sitting under the metal tree. A guy nearby was mightily amused by our camwhoring.

Taken from the Night Festival guide:

Hanging microphones simulating that of aerial roots will detect environmental sounds and alter the lighting nature of The Tree. This installation will inspire people to slow down, take a breather and simply bask in this recreation of nature’s wonder.

The tree and the outdoor escalator [I need a better camera]. I took this picture when I was heading down to meet boyfie by the tree. Awww… so romantic, right? Laughs.

The Tree is on outside the National Museum til 23rd August for those who are interested in catching sight of it!

Cowgoesmoo messaged me something about having the best view from the top of the SMU building. BAH!

Almost ventured into Fort Canning. Laughs.

Public art - The Crystal City.

This was taken with my iphone because I left my belongings with boyfie who was hanging out at one of the cafes listening to a live band [I need a good camera!].

The artist for this installation piece created this city using crystal glasses from everyday objects such as jars, cups, bowls, bottles and decanters.

Lights shone through the surfaces, creating fluid patterns that shifted and changed as the lights brightened and dimmed.

The city will be present til 30th August.

Hina the Hercules.  

One of our last stops for public art - Love Tank (The Temple).

Despite how it looks against me, the tank is gigantic! Seven tanks stacked on top of one another, this work juxtaposes war and killing with love and peace to humankind. The tank, an instrument of war machine, is decorated with red lotuses and something else which boyfie pointed out to me.. do you see it in the next picture?

The love tank is on display til 4th October.

Apart from indoor and outdoor visual arts, there were other happenings around - some of which we missed, such as events in the Peranakan Museum, Substation Theatre and Singapore Art Museum Glass Hall. So much magic were occuring at the same time, I wonder if anyone managed to cover everything that night!

Before boyfie joined us, Hina and I wandered to the bus bay of National Museum where an open-air cinema was screening [according to boyfie] a classic film from Malaysia - Seniman Bujang Lapok / The Nit-Wit Stars.

The “bujang lapok” trio of Ramlee, Sudin and Ajis go to Jalan Ampas Studio in response to an open call audition. During their audition, they drive director Ahmad Nisfu crazy by forgetting the script and improvising with their own lines. However, the studio boss likes their natural comedic talent and tells the director that the trio is to be signed on for an oncoming film.

Back at home, Ramlee is in love with a nurse, Cik Salmah, who is being watched by Sharif Dol, a villain from a neighbouring village. Sharif Dol sends his mother to propose but Salmah turns him down. The vengeful Sharif Dol burns down the entire village to get even, but is later arrested for his crime.

It was pretty funny. I love the old-skool idea of sitting under the stars watching an old-skool film. Simplicity. =D

A long queue of peeps waiting to go in some other hall.

After the movie, we set off to view other visual displays. To our surprise, all the lights from the public art were switched off. A hush settled over the other side of National Museum - the place where Hina and I saw many peeps waiting with their DSLRS and video cams. Something big was going to happen.

Something big…. called The Loop of Fortune, a large-scale finale performance using acrobatics, acting and fireworks display

Woah!

The two dudes playing on the drums were flipping around like nobody’s business! Everybody was enraptured.

Just when we thought it was over, the dancers went on to the ‘hamster wheel’ and a haunting melody wafted into the air, enchanting the audience.

At one point in time, the fire(s) surrounded the four dancers and worried gasps could be heard among the audience.

I recorded an eight minute video of the performance but… youtube decided to work against me. I can’t upload the grand finale! =(

After the extravagant display of lights and fireworks, I messaged boyfie who was apart from me at that time.

Me: darl, wish you were by my side just now!
Him: i was. very near your heart.

Talk about killer lines! *heart melt*

What do you know, my camera battery went flat and I had to go photo-less and video-less for the rest of the night. -_-” I need a camera! *whine whine*

It was an interesting night indeed. There is some arty hippie indie hope in S’pore after all!  T’was a pity I couldn’t stay on til the closing time of 2am ‘cuz of work the next day. For those who missed this year’s, join me for next year’s!