There comes a point in every relationship where you hit a rut.
You’ve been dating your partner for a while. You’ve done movies, brunches, fancy dinners, treetop walks, and you’re honestly running out of things to do and places to go with your lady (or man). We’ve been there, we know the struggle.
If you are looking for new ways to inject fun into your relationship, why not head over to a-list.sg for some arts and culture-inspired ideas? Not only will you share a totally different experience with your beau, these events are sure to give you plenty to talk about, not to mention lots of Instagram-worthy moments!
Here is A List’s guide to cool, hipster dates for June through July.
1. Yayoi Kusama’s ‘Life is the heart of a rainbow’
We’re kicking off this list on a very colourful note with Yayoi Kusama’s ‘Life is the Heart of a Rainbow’. Kusama is one of the world’s most influential artists and her museum shows have been known to attract long queues worldwide. Now, you get to catch the first major survey of her work held in Southeast Asia, right at the National Gallery Singapore.
Image Credit: A List Singapore
Happening from 9 June – 3 September, this exhibition focuses on the immersive and extensive nature of the Japanese artist’s body of work. It features a total of 120 artworks, including paintings, sculptures, videos and installations, from the 1950s to today. Several works that have never been shown before will also be showcased at this blockbuster show.
Image Credit: Wikipedia
Be mesmerised by one of her infinity mirror rooms, let your inner child come alive among her trademark dots and pumpkin motifs, and check out the paintings in which 87-year-old Kusama pushes the envelope on her art.
Image Credit: Deezen
An exhibition that is equal parts fun and intriguing, you and your other half will lose yourselves in the splash of dots and colour of Kusama’s bold works. Before you head down, don’t forget to check out this guide on the key highlights and an insight into the inspiration behind Kusama’s work. As A List puts it, “the best way to appreciate art is to gain a better understanding of the artist.”
Yayoi Kusama’s ‘Life is the heart of a rainbow’
Address: National Gallery Singapore, 1 St Andrew’s Road, Singapore 178957
Date: 9 June – 3 September
Admission: $15 (Singaporeans), $10 (Singaporean concession-holders), $25 (Non-Singaporeans), $20 (Non-Singaporean concession-holders)
To purchase tickets, click here.
2. Silent Disco Asia 1st Birthday Party
You saw it at i Light, you saw it at the Star Wars Festival, and you probably saw it at dozens of other venues—silent discoes are a hot new trend in Singapore and it looks like it’s here to stay. If this is your first time hearing about such a thing, it’s exactly like it sounds—a noiseless dance party where instead of dancing to music blasting from speakers, you’re dancing to the tune of your own headphones.
Image Credit: Asialive365
On 17 June, Silent Disco Asia, the group that brought this trend onto our shores, will be celebrating its first birthday with the BIGGEST silent disco in Singapore, at the place it all began: Kult Kafe. Regardless of whether you and your partner are the dancing sort, put on those dancing shoes because this is a totally different kind of party.
Image Credit: Weekend Notes
Choose your own channel, dance to your own beat, and party well into the AM with music courtesy of DJs who’ve graced the Silent Disco Asia decks over the past year.
Ticket price is inclusive of 1 FREE drink.
Silent Disco Asia 1st Birthday
Address: Kult Kafe, 11 Upper Wilkie Road, Singapore 228120
Date: 17 June
Admission: $35 (Standard), $45 (Late tickets)
To purchase tickets, click here.
3. The O.P.E.N. 2017
Looking for something with a slower tempo? The O.P.E.N. 2017 is another event worth considering. Short for Open, Participate, Engage and Negotiate, this exploratory event spans a total of 5 weeks.
A festival of ideas that serves as a prelude to this year’s Singapore International Festival of Arts (SIFA), it encourages the audience to consider this year’s theme: Enchantment.
True to its name, The O.P.E.N. is known to be participatory, and this final edition elevates the promise of participation and engagement.
Explore the idea of enchantment through a dizzying array of programmes across multiple mediums. Watch award-winning independent films you won’t find screened in movie theatres, engage with interactive installations, sit in on workshops, performances and keynotes, and be truly immersed in new ideas and perspectives.
In Art as Res Publicae, one of their programmes, audience will get to participate in a forum-like discussion revolving around the ‘intangible value’ of art.
What’s more, this wouldn’t be just another formal discussion. It also incorporates a play, commentators and a ‘special moment’ for the audience to participate. Keen to know how this works? Read this handy guide, which also include details on other pre-festival highlights you can look forward to.
An event that will engage your mind and all of your senses, you and your partner will have plenty to talk about after experiencing the diversity of works at The O.P.E.N.
After a four-year run, this year may be your last chance to catch The O.P.E.N. Make sure to register for the programmes you’re keen on attending, as capacity is limited!
The O.P.E.N. 2017
Address: Various Locations
Date: 28 June – 30 July
Admission: $45 (All programmes*), $25 (Concession pass-all programmes*), $10 (Single Entry Ticket)
Website
*Note that one O.P.E.N. pass allows you to register for up to 6 O.P.E.N. films and up to 1 O.P.E.N. Kitchens Session
To purchase tickets, click here.
4. Imaginarium: To the Ends of the Earth
Back for its seventh edition, Imaginarium: To the Ends of the Earth is the perfect exhibit if your partner is big on nature and the issues surrounding it. Happening between 6 May and 27 August, these artworks by nine contemporary artists invite you to consider our surroundings through immersive, interactive installations.
Image Credit: Adelaide Biennial
Explore the ways in which we, plants and animals respond to our habitats through ideas and stories both real and imagined. Touch, experience, and play amongst Mary Bernadette Lee’s responsive mobiles in Wanderland and keep a lookout for Hiromi Tango’s Lizard Tail installation, a beautiful metaphor for the resilience of humans. Amidst all the technological progress, these works hope to make visitors slow down and appreciate the Earth’s wonderful marvels.
Amazingly, the inspiration behind these great artworks comes from everyday life, from a cluster of mushrooms on the field to even East Coast Park!
Image Credit: Time Out Singapore
An exhibition about our relationship with our home, this art show will have you seeing our environment in a brand new light.
Imaginarium: To the Ends of the Earth
Address: Singapore Art Museum, 71 Bras Basah Road, Singapore 189555
Date: 6 May – 27 August
Price: Free for Singaporeans, permanent residents, and children under six. For non-Singaporeans and PRs, $6 for adults, and $3 for children.
Prices vary for programmes. General admission to Imaginarium: To the Ends of the Earth Family Night at the Museum is $12
To purchase tickets, click here.
5. Art Day Out! At Gillman Barracks
Gillman Barracks seems to be the place to be for a growing group of art-lovers and hipsters all over the country. Drawing crowds from all over at events like Art After Dark, this art cluster off Alexandra Road definitely ranks high on our list of top hipster date spots.
Image Credit: Gillman Barracks
This June, its popular Art Day Out! will return for a special School Holidays edition.
Before you tune out, pegging this as a kids-only event, there will be plenty of things for the grown ups among us to do as well. Think a curation of new exhibitions and special programmes, including an interactive art tour by one of Singapore’s leading theatre companies, The Finger Players.
Image Credit: The Finger Players
Also, witness the opening of the Wallpaper* Handmade-on-Tour exhibition, a showcase that will see one-off creations—furniture, fashion, foodstuffs, and more—made by the best designers, artists and manufacturers, all in one venue.
Image Credit: CDN Wallpaper
Experiencing various art forms in a place that’s off the beaten path? It doesn’t get more hipster than that!
Art Day Out! At Gillman Barracks
Address: Gillman Barracks, Singapore 108937
Date: 24 June
Price: Free
This list of events is brought to you by A List Singapore.
A List Singapore
For the unacquainted, A List Singapore is an arts and culture guide by the National Arts Council. Featuring all things arts and culture, you’ll find all sorts of interesting events to go to with your partner, friends, and even solo! No matter your age or artistic preference, there’s bound to be an event that will suit your fancy at A List Singapore.
To sweeten the deal, you’ll be happy to know that A List Singapore has recently created a mysterious Black Box. It will contain curated items that open the way to different arts experiences every month. In it, you’ll find tickets to arts and culture festivals, exclusive merchandise, and tons of other cool stuff.
This month, A List will be giving away its Black Box to one lucky winner!
Look forward to EXCLUSIVE A List merchandise, The O.P.E.N. Festival passes for two and Janice Wong gourmet chocolates worth over S$200. To get your hands on this exclusive black box, all you have to do is click here and follow the instructions.
This giveaway ends on 11.59pm, 21 June 2017, so enter soon to get a chance to put your name in the draw! Like A List Singapore’s Facebook page here for more updates.
