The i Light Singapore — Bicentennial Edition connected people and communities on an unprecedented scale to commemorate Singapore’s history and multi-cultural identity. The Festival, which was launched by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on 28 January 2019, kickstarted Singapore’s Bicentennial commemoration. Here are some highlights from the month-long event that ended on 24 February 2019.
More light art installations and bridges come alive
This year, a record 33 light art installations by 55 artists from 15 different countries, including Singapore were on display at i Light Singapore. It was a chance to see our city in a different light from Marina Bay and the Civic District, to the Singapore River and Raffles Terrace at Fort Canning Park. Themed “Bridges of Time”, the bicentennial edition delved into the concept of connectivity to reflect on Singapore’s history, growth, and relationships with the world over the last 700 years.
For the first time, the light art installations illuminated six iconic bridges on the Singapore River and in the Marina Bay area, to inspire hope and optimism as we acknowledge the past, celebrate our present, and look towards the future. In another first at the Festival, an immersive multimedia show at the Singapore River told a poetic story of a universal traveller who sailed through time and space to reach a mythical island in the East.
Connecting the community with the arts
One light art installation stood out for having hundreds of people from various communities involved in its creation. Conceptualised by industrial designer Yun, The Rainbow Connection featured 800 upcycled snack containers designed and painted by people from all walks of life, including children and residents of nursing homes.
Twelve art jamming workshops were held over four months with various community partners, including Lions Befrienders, Touch Community Services, and Sunlove Senior Activity Centre. During these workshops, participants created beautiful containers that were then converted into solar light modules for the display.
“Everyone adopts a different style for the container that they design, but very much like a society, though everyone is different, everyone has a part to play. What everyone draws can be very different, but they can come together as a very cohesive piece,” said Yun.
More programmes to deepen community engagement
Five distinct programming hubs added splashes of fun and interactive activities to deepen community engagement. More than 20 programmes, including acoustic music acts, movie screenings, and special piano showcases by local talents were put together to enliven the Festival. Among these were arts and cultural performances by students from Republic Polytechnic (RP)’s Create Club.
More than 100 RP students roused the crowds with captivating performances in percussion, martial arts, and hip-hop dance. One of the performers, Chase Pang, said: “I am very honoured to be part of this major event that has so many meaningful purposes.”
i Light Singapore — Bicentennial Edition connected people across generations through shared experiences, delectable food, delightful music and immersive play, while also promoting awareness about sustainability. “We are heartened by the strong support from the local community and talents to co-present this special edition of the Festival, for the public to come explore and enjoy the city, and join us in promoting the sustainability cause,” said Festival Director and URA Director (Place Management) Jason Chen.