Preview of the Imaginarium: A Voyage of Big Ideas

Ever since Tiffany turned 12 months old, I became more enthusiastic in looking for activities that we can do as a family. Especially activities that engage both parents and child, so that none of us will feel bored or left out.

Thanks to CRIB, our family scored entry to the private preview of the Imaginarium: A Voyage of Big Ideas. Before we attended the preview, I imagined Tiffany running around excitedly while her father and I stand aside and take pictures of her. After all, it is an art exhibition for children. However, I was proven wrong as the Imaginarium was really engaging for the adults too!

Some background on the Imaginarium:

The fifth edition of Singapore Art Museum's annual contemporary art exhibition for children, the Imaginarium: A Voyage of Big Ideas is inspired by the crescent moon on the Singapore flag, symbolising a young nation on the rise and its capacity to dream big and think large. It focuses on the themes of adventure, discovery, new possibilities, and 'Big Ideas'. 

The artworks range from installations which require visitors' active participation to complete or enhance the artwork, to poetic and comtemplative works, and playful magical worlds to roam and discover. The exhibition as a whole has been curated with careful attention paid to how children learn and play, and to appeal to different senses, modes of learning and exploration.

As we begin our journey through the Imaginarium, we were welcomed by fascinating and beautiful illustrations sprawled across the walls at each stair landing. Named Imagine-a-doodle, the massive artwork (by Singapore collective Band of Doodlers) that spans all four levels of SAM at 8Q brings to life a fantastical version of the Singapore story, through adaptations of local folklore and of an imagined future.

The Singapore Story by the Band of Doodlers - definitely my favourite artwork of the exhibition!

Us in front of my favourite wall

Starting from the highest level, Dream House is the work of South Korean artist Jeeyoung Lee. Here, Lee created a fairytale-like gingerbread house filled with candy that visitors can pick and 'plant' in a larger-than-life 'garden'.

This exhibit is a no-shoe zone, so if you are icky about your child walking bare feet on the ground, do remember to put socks on for them. For yourselves, please do wear shoes that are easy to take off and put on. I saw a few mummies struggling with their footwear, so do yourself a favour and save the hassle.

Papa 'planting' a candy with Tiffany. If only this 'garden' was real, and there were candy trees in real life, I would be a very happy mama! :P

Children having a good time playing among the 'trees'.

 On the third floor, we were amazed and enthralled by the work of Canadian-born, Singapore-based Vincent Twardzik, Green II: Interstellar Overdrive. The artwork here comes alive only when visitors cycle on stationary bicycles which are hooked up to various objects.

Though it is stated on a sign that this exhibit is suited for children 8 years old onwards, I really like that there are baby seats attached to some of the bicycles so that they can still be included when parents visit with them. Here, KU is powering a radio while Tiffany enjoys the 'ride' behind. 

Comfortably seated and secured in the baby seat.

On the second floor, we had fun at the moonroom, which is a space for exploration and learning. All the walls, save for one, had cute moon/space-related illustrations on them. I was really amazed at the talent of these artists!

So, what about that one wall which had less doodles? It is this one in the picture below, called the doodle deck. According to our guide, workshops will be held to teach children how to draw and they can then fill up the remaining space on the doodle deck with their own artwork. I think it's a really good way to get children excited about art - letting them contribute to the exhibition and have their work shown to the public alongside the professional artists.

In addition, children could write a letter to the moon and the best letter each month gets a reply from the museum's moonwalker!

Letters to the moon and thrown into this message transmitter to be read at a later date. Good luck, children!

There were other interactive activities in the moonroom, such as origami folding. The tables had folding instructions stuck on them so that children (and parents) can have fun folding their own paper rockets!

Making an origami rocket with papa

Writing a letter together to the Moon!

 On level one, we were given the opportunity to become architects and builders of our own make-believe cities. Drawing inspiration from urban-planning, Singapore artist Chiang Yu Xiang invites everyone to create their own housing estates and city skyline with Tetris-shaped housing blocks in his We Built This Estate! interactive installation.

I personally loved the stuffed characters that were velcro-ed onto the walls and I'd go a step further to say that children can have fun creating their own stories with the characters and their cities.

 The 'windows' of the HDB blocks also have adorable hand-drawn characters peeping out at visitors! On the lower 'floors', the 'windows' are filled with artwork submitted by children. I love how children are made to feel included in the exhibit once again!

Hugging my favourite stuffed character with Tiffany.

This exhibit is also a no-shoe zone and I'd highly recommend socks here for toddlers as the 'grass' is rather rough on their soles. Tiffany refused to walk or even be put down when we were here cos she didn't like the 'grass', which was a pity cos we really thought she'd enjoy the colourful illustrations on the wall and the stuffed characters. :( so, lesson learnt here, we'll bring socks for her the next time we come!

Closer look at the 'grass'

These are not all we saw, but please do come down with your children and experience the exhibition for yourselves! There are so many activities within the exhibits themselves that parents and children alike will enjoy. Best of all, you can do things TOGETHER. :)

Imaginarium: A Voyage of Big Ideas is opened from 14 March to 19 July 2015 and entry is free for all Singapore citizens and PRs. For more information, please visit www.singaporeartmuseum.sg

Fun at the photobooth

Thank you SAM for having us and for CRIB, Singapore’s first social enterprise that aims to empower women entrepreneurs through networking, matchmaking and incubation, for making this happen!

Disclaimer: KU and I were invited to the media preview for the Imaginarium. We did not receive any monetary awards to write this review. All views expressed in this  post are ours.