Returning as a satellite site this year, South Beach will play host to Lumi, a dynamic artwork shaped like a meandering river by art collective 65 SQM @ SUSA SPACE. At the Fountain Plaza, visitors will be invited to sit on illuminated yoga balls wrapped in upcycled net fabric where they can move them around and play, rest and interact with others. 

Floyd Cowan words and photos

(Singapore May 29, 2024) i Light Singapore (iLSG) returns for its 10th edition from 31 May to 23 June 2024 to light up Marina Bay and neighbouring precincts – South Beach, Millenia Walk and for the first time Tanjong Pagar. 

My favorite installation is Fish are Jumping by Studio Toer of the Netherlands. It is whimsical and surprising when you see it before you know what it is. Small blots of light suddenly leap out of the dark water, land a few feet away and disappear. Very difficult to photograph. While most of the installations co-operate by staying still – not all of them do.

The media preview began at the venue for GastroBeats in Marina Bay where you can satisfy your cravings for great food, live music, and endless fun. GastroBeats returns for its highly anticipated annual run.   

Mr Jason Chen, (pictured above) Festival Director of i Light Singapore 2024 and Director (Place Management) of Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) briefed the media: “The light art installations showcased at this milestone edition of i Light Singapore have been carefully selected for their originality, immersive and interactive nature as well as their ability to transform the urban experience. As this vibrant signature event enlivens our city, we also hope that the sustainable artworks serve as reminders of the importance of sustainable living and inspire a collective vision for a greener future.” 

This year’s Festival sees 25 artists from 11 countries present a vibrant showcase of artworks inspired by the theme of Cyclical Nature and the colour green, to explore the endless potential of everyday objects for re-design, restoration and repurposing. 

Near the Red Dot Design Museum, Liminal;Minimal by Singapore University of Technology and Design students Benjamin Lim and Yeo Soon Yii use repurposed materials from building sites and spotlights the issue of construction waste. Juxtaposed against the cityscape along the Marina Bay waterfront promenade, it serves as a reminder for more sustainable practices in the face of rapid urban development.

Organised by the URA, the engaging line-up of artworks and programmes for iLSG 2024 is the result of continued collaboration with many partners – event organisers, sponsors and precinct stakeholders. Visitors are invited to immerse themselves in contemplative and interactive artworks that explore the endless potential of everyday objects for re-design, restoration and repurposing. 

“Since its inception in 2010,” Chen stated, “visitorship to i Light Singapore has grown from over 400,000 to almost 2 million in recent years with the public viewing over 200 eclectic light art installations and exciting programmes. Each edition of the Festival is anchored on a colour from the visible light spectrum, which comprises different wavelengths that symbolise ways of seeing and understanding the world.” 

i Light Singapore provides a platform to foster greater public awareness on environmental issues and promote cultural exchange amongst artists from around the world. “This edition marks another milestone as we have onboarded more partners who share our passion for art and sustainability. We look forward to inspiring more visitors to shape a sustainable future for all through i Light Singapore.” said Mr Lim Eng Hwee, Chief Executive Officer, URA. 

The Beauty and Wonder of Cyclical Nature

At Marina Bay, visitors can explore an immersive world of light art installations that offer unique perspectives on pertinent environmental issues. 

At the Mist Walk, Spin Me a Yarn by United Kingdom-based Studio Vertigo features larger-than-life yarn balls that are intertwined with its surroundings, signalling how yarn preparation by the fashion industry contributes significantly to global pollution. The artwork reminds us of the need to reverse unsustainable practices that underpin modern lifestyles. 

Another creative take on the theme of circularities is Kinetic Perspective by Spain-based Juan Fuentes Studio, located at the Marina Bay Sands Event Plaza. Made of upcycled iron remnants from industrial sources and inspired by optical illusions, the circles in the installation move continuously to create infinite combinations, transforming the familiar into something extraordinary.

 Arc ZERO: Nimbus by Studio James Tapscott encircles the floating pontoon near the Red Dot Design Museum. Visitors can take a walk along the pontoon and view the city skyline through a ring of mist, animated with the lifeblood of our existence - water, air and light. 

Purse Ring Xu Dongliang (China) Toryo International Lighting Design Center in collaboration with Glow Shenzhen from Shenzhen China in Marina Bay Event Square.

Immerse in Aesthetic and Interactive Artworks at Satellite Locations

Around Guoco Tower and Orchid Hotel, visitors can marvel at BottleBlooms by Singaporean artist Yun. The artwork is a captivating display of solar-powered plastic blossoms upcycled from approximately 1,000 polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles from a public collection drive, demonstrating the transformative potential of discarded materials. 

At the DTP Community Green, visitors can delight in Kickit Team Tennis, an interactive light installation by Hungary-based artist collective Limelight. Two teams of up to five-a-side can put their agility to test in a game reminiscent of tennis, where players on two ends kick the illuminated balls and send delightful light paths across a field.   

Located in Millenia Walk – also a returning satellite site – is the larger-than-life Modern Guru and the Path to Artificial Happiness by Australia-based art and technology studio ENESS. This artwork brings visitors on an immersive journey featuring whimsical inflatables, before meeting the Modern Guru who reminds them to seek contentment in the present.

Also at South Beach is The Lantern by Josephine Pun Tsz Kiu from the National University of Singapore, a luminous pavilion ingeniously upcycled from over 5,000 plastic bottles, symbolising renewal while serving as a sobering reminder of the waste we generate. 

Admission is free while charges apply for certain programmes.

W: ilightsingapore.gov.sg  

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