If you're interested in Asian civilisation and are looking for some cool places to visit, here's your chance to check out the best of the best. Listed below are all the activities set to take place in July and August at The Asian Civilisation Museum, Singapore.
Life in Edo | Russel Wong in Kyoto
16 April to 19 September 2021
Asian Civilisations Museum
Life in Edo | Russel Wong in Kyoto explores Japanese art and culture through two mediums – woodblock prints and photography.
The woodblock prints section looks at lifestyles and trends of Edo period Japan (1603 – 1868), including people's travels, ideas on beauty, pets, food and entertainment. The other component explores the beauty of nature and architecture of Kyoto today.
It also captures the vanishing traditions of the geisha (geiko in Kyoto dialect) community through the lens of Singaporean photographer Russel Wong.
The exhibition plays on the notion of duality: past and present, print and photography, Edo (today’s Tokyo and current capital) and Kyoto (the old capital). One side focuses on the past and the other looks at the present, yet the exhibition will attempt to show that past trends and lifestyles are still relevant to us today, and are a big part of what draws people to Japan.
#SGFASHIONNOW
25 June to 19 December 2021
Asian Civilisations Museum
#SGFASHIONNOW is ACM’s first display of contemporary Singapore fashion, exploring creative practice in Singapore in the context of Asia’s cultural heritage. The exhibition is a collaboration with LASALLE College of the Arts’ School of Fashion and the Textile and Fashion Federation (TaFF), and represents our commitment to working with community and industry to celebrate local fashion.
ACM hopes to encourage new ways of addressing the question - “What is Singapore fashion?” - from the perspective of our essence as an open, global, multi-cultural port city. In a departure from past exhibitions, students from LASALLE’s School of Fashion are the curators for this exhibition, with ACM staff and LASALLE faculty providing mentorship. #SGFASHIONNOW features works by eight practising designers, including Andrew Gn, Goh Lai Chan, Priscilla Shunmugam, and Carol Chen – winner of TaFF’s 2020 edition of Singapore Stories, an annual fashion design competition for emerging, locally-based designers.
Crossing Cultures at ACM: Game On!
Friday to Sunday, 2 to 4 July 2021
Free
Online and onsite
Rediscover traditional Asian games and learn about objects in the ACM collection that follow the theme of play. In this edition of Crossing Cultures, pick up a new game, sharpen existing skills, or just enjoy some fun activities. It’s Game On! this weekend.
Taking inspiration from ACM’s galleries, Crossing Cultures explores the collection through the performing arts, craftsmanship, food traditions, wellness practices, and other aspects of intangible cultural heritage – past and present. Dive deep into Asia’s rich heritage with these special weekend programmes. Learn, explore, and create with us at ACM.
Crossing Cultures at ACM takes place on the first weekend of March, July, September, and December. Follow us on ACM’s Peatix page (What's On at ACM | Peatix) to be notified when activity registration is available.
All onsite programmes will follow safe-distancing measures (SDM). Please note that you will need to wear a mask and remain in your personal group throughout all programmes. Additional measures will be in place for all participants based on SDM in Phase 3 (Heightened Alert) and are subject to change pending the latest Singapore Government Advisories.
Lecture Series
ACMtalks
3rd Thursday of every month
ACMtalks is a series of talks bringing leading scholars in conversation with the curators at ACM to explore our core curatorial themes: Maritime Trade, Faith and Belief, Materials and Design, and Peranakan.
It facilitates original research into the museum’s collections of export art, sacred objects and material culture, as well as historical applied arts (especially fashion and textiles, jewellery, and ceramics) of Asia.
Supported by Kris Foundation
And from her navel grew rice: Dewi Sri and her manifestations
Irene Agrivina & Faisal Husni
Thursday, 15 July 2021
To register, please visit: https://go.gov.sg/acmtalks5
There are many forms of and images dedicated to the goddess Dewi Sri in Bali and HJava, from wooden sculptures to coins and mounds of rice. Faisal Husni will highlight some of these, focusing largely on cili figures (offerings made of woven palm leaves) in the ACM collection.
He will explore how bringing these images into museum spaces raises complicated questions about collecting ephemeral objects, as well as those produced specifically for the consumption of non-locals, such as tourism art and commissions for early 20th-century World Fairs.
In addition to Dewi Sri, there are a number of other goddesses of rice across Southeast Asia, reflecting shared beliefs in fertility deities amongst different communities of the region. Irene Agrivina will explore some of these different divine manifestations – from Mae Pho Sop to Nang Khosop – and will highlight the shrines, amulets, myths, and mantras surrounding them.
She will examine how Dewi Sri influenced her own art and practice, and how the goddess provides a potent approach to communicating about biology and pseudoscience.
Speaker:
- Irene Agrivina, Artist, technologist and educator. Founding Member and Co-Director of House of Natural Fiber in Yogyakarta and Co-Founder of XXLab.
- Muhammad Faisal Husni, Assistant Curator for Island Southeast Asia, Asian Civilisations Museum
Exhibition Programmes
Life in Edo | Russel Wong in Kyoto
Food Talks
Wednesday, 7 July, 4 August 2021
8pm
Free
Online, ACM Facebook
There’s no denying that Japanese food is indeed “oishi!”. But what makes it special? Learn about the history and food culture of Edo-period Japan in these informative videos featuring Chef Tomoo Kimura from Sushi Kimura and Chef Yoshi of Yoshi Restaurant with ACM’s very own director, Kennie Ting.
Tanabata Celebrations
Wednesday, 7 July 2021, Online, ACM Facebook
Saturday, 14 August 2021, Asian Civilisations Museum
Celebrate this beloved Japanese festival with ACM. Learn more about the folk legend that inspired the Tanabata Festival. Check our Facebook page on 7 July to join in the festivities online or come to the museum to collect a special goodie bag on or after 14 August.
Sunday Out!
Sunday, 11 July 2021
1 to 5pm
Free
Online, Registration required on Peatix
Enjoy a fun time bonding with the whole family when you sign up for our online weekend workshops. Create your own pinhole camera, build a mini Japanese garden, and have an origami craft kit couriered to your home.
Yasumi Fridays
Friday, 23 July 2021
7 to 9pm
Free
Online, Registration required on Peatix
Have a "yasumi" (relaxing) Friday evening with ACM online and unleash your creativity! Learn Ikebana, the Japanese art of floral arrangement, and decorate your own porcelain plate with Japanese-inspired decals. Then stay tuned for the Facebook premiere of Focus...on Art featuring Russel Wong on 23 Jul, 8pm.
Artist & Curator Tour - featuring Clement Onn and Russel Wong
Wednesday, 11 August 2021
7.30 to 9pm
$30 per participant
Asian Civilisations Museum
Join us on an exclusive tour that will take you into the heart of our special exhibition Life in Edo | Russel Wong in Kyoto. Follow exhibition curator Clement Onn and renowned fashion and portrait photographer Russel Wong as they share their thoughts on the show. Look out for more details on Peatix.
Safe management measures will be implemented for all onsite programmes.
Exhibition Programmes
#SGFASHIONNOW
Student Curator Guided Tours
Friday, 6 August 2021
7.30 to 8.30pm
Asian Civilisations Museum
$10 refundable deposit per participant via Peatix
Join a tour conducted by the LASALLE student curators, who will share their perspectives on putting together this special exhibition.
Conversations – Singapore Fashion, Now
Friday, 13 August 2021
3 to 4pm
Online
Livestream on ACM Facebook and YouTube
Why is supporting local fashion important, and who are some designers in Singapore to watch out for? How can we champion and support local design initiatives?
In the latest instalment of Conversations, hear from various parties involved in ACM's collaboration with LASALLE College of the Arts in this rich, one-hour discussion.
Programmes
ACM Adventures: Hats Off to You!
Sunday, 25 July 2021
1 to 5pm
Free
Online, ACM Website
This month, journey with us as we discover the world of scholarly pursuits. Catch a drama performance and a storytelling video, then get crafty and make your own scholar’s hat.
ACM Adventures: Market Exchange
Sunday, 29 August 2021
1 to 5pm
Free
Online, ACM Website
This month, discover what it was like when trade was carried out over year-long voyages, with these exciting drama performances and stories of old. Fashion your own sailboat to take with you on your next adventure!
Regular Programmes
Let's Learn About...Racial Harmony Day!
2 to 31 July 2021
Free
Online, ACM Website
This month, Let’s Learn About...Racial Harmony Day! Celebrate cultural diversity by understanding more about the ethnic outfits in our collection.
Activities You Can Do Everyday
Free
Online, ACM Website
Enjoy everyday activities from the comfort of your home. Explore, discover, and have fun with trails and videos for everyone.
Audio Description Tours
Free
Online, ACM Website
Listen to descriptions of key objects in our collection from the comfort of your home.
For more information, please visit www.acm.org.sg