Top Image: Breathe Respite by Panelogue and POIESIS Architects

Each year, SingaPlural is challenged to raise the bar in its celebration of local design. In its fifth year running, SingaPlural 2016 demonstrates good growth, since its debut, running in tandem to a rapidly evolving creative culture. New names across various fields are witnessed, proving that there are indeed no shortage of creative people in Singapore. Meaningful bridges are formed amongst students, designers and industry players. The coming together of a spectrum of fields reveal diversity, while the presentation of niche mediums portray creative courage.

A visit also proves that SingaPlural is an event that reaches out to people from all walks, as installations venture beyond pure technicalities to engage the senses.

Tile It Up by WY-TO and Hafary

A recurring and key segment each year, Project X gathers creative professionals from diverse fields to produce a series of lifestyle products, using a single material. The process of creation is closely documented prior to the commencement of the festival and revealed at the venue itself. This year, Park + Associates, Studio Juju, Voidworks and Weekend Worker were invited to explore solid surface LG HI-MACS by Luxx Newhouse Group.

Light by Studio Juju for Project X

Studio Juju created three lighting pieces, Light 1 (wall hung), Light 2 (floor lamp) and Light 3 (table lamp). Each piece bears an organic form and ‘ribbed’ texture that exposes the innate flexibility and translucency of solid surface to generate an overall soft and comforting lighting ambience.

Hive by Park + Associates for Project X

With Park + Associates’ Hive, solid surface is envisioned as a modular system to portray wide possibilities of configuring the material.

Closer by Weekend Worker for Project X

Weekend Worker married clay – the ceramic artist’s core medium – with solid surfaces. Titled Closer, the resulting mushroom-like pieces invite the viewer to marvel at the intricate beauty of the two materials in juxtaposition.

Sense of Place by Voidworks for Project X

Based on the elevation data of various geographical locales, Sense of Place by Voidworks sees intricate landform patterns carved onto the solid surface material.

SCOPE exterior by Lekker Architects for EDL

SCOPE interior by Lekker Architects for EDL

Venturing further in, many more installations can be witnessed. SCOPE by Lekker Architects for EDL is a triangular tent-like structure that takes visitors on a visual trip. The exterior of the installation is formed using timber laminates in a weave pattern while the interior surface is created using mirror laminates. The experience of standing inside the structure is akin to being in a life-sized kaleidoscope.

ENGULF by Celine Ng, XTRA and BOLON

ENGULF, a collaboration between Celine Ng and XTRA demonstrates the visceral beauty of the ocean using Scale tiles from BOLON’s Flow collection. The installation is composed of cloud forms that enable light to seep through – an interpretation of what is observed in the underwater world.

I Feel The Clouds Singing by Studio Asobi

Cloud forms were also created using ceramics in I Feel The Clouds Singing by Studio Asobi. Also using rattan, the interactive ‘cloud-scape’ calls upon the user’s engagement to generate therapeutic soundscapes by making the ceramic pieces sway and come in contact with one another.

Journey by M!lk Inc for Admira

Touch and feel a spectrum of decorative laminates by Admira through Journey. Conceived by M!lk Inc, the circular structure is made up of multiple wheels that present various colours and materials when spun. Elevating the experience, each wheel is incorporated with mechanisms that generate different sound effects through movement.

Emotional Landscapes by students from Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts and Polystone

Students from Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts partnered with natural stones specialist Polystone to create a series of sculptural pieces, entitled Emotional Landscapes, that revolve around the everyday activities of eating, working, leisure and rest. More than 15 original functional and decorative objects were created, including furniture, lighting and office accessories.

Silhouettes by Tiffany Loy

Tiffany Loy’s Silhouettes captures the colour and fading forms of textiles and invites the visitor to observe the layering effect of the woven material.

Breathe Respite by Panelogue and POIESIS Architects

There are also installations that reflect upon the current state of affairs in society. Breathe Respite by Panelogue and POIESIS Architects invites the user to stop and smell the roses, literally. Contemplating themes of Retreat, Respire and Relate, harmonisation between nature and urban spaces are proposed. The installation was crafted using Organoid, a new-to-market panel surface from Austria, created using raw floral materials that retain their original scent for at least ten years.

What I Put In My Heart Is Heaven by Alvin Tan and Topos Design Studio

What I Put In My Heart Is Heaven is an immersive chamber in the form of an abstract geometrical heart that depicts the cultural fabric of duality in society today.

Volumetric Blending – Movement by Nano Art Studio 

Creative installations aside, visitors can participate in talks, tours and workshops running in conjunction with the event.

SingaPlural 2016 is held from 7 – 13 March, 11am – 10pm daily at 99 Beach Road. Ticket at SGD$10 per person.

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