For half my career, I have been blessed with a job that overlaps with my hobbies and life passions. So, whether I was traveling for work or pleasure. I was doing exactly the same thing. From the time I hit … Continue reading Art Exchanges
The design of the performing art centre was unveiled at an exhibition called “Taking Shape” on 21 July 1994. Minister Yeo opened the exhibition where he unveiled the name for the centre “The Esplanade: Theatres on the Bay”. We invited Ambassador … Continue reading Taking shape: lo mai kai or durians
The first consultant on the performing art centre project was Richard Brett who was appointed in 1987. The 1985 invitation to quote hastily put together by Ruby, Tisa and me attracted expression of interest from several theatre designers with “strong … Continue reading esplanade theatres – consultants
HITS A fully tuneable Concert Hall made possible by the cavernous “Russell Johnson reverberation chambers” with 108 doors, canopy and draperies. Asian expression in Concert Hall design with timber forms alluding to the hull of boat or basket, thanks … Continue reading esplanade theatres – hits & misses
After three years of programming music and visual arts programmes at the Ministry of Culture, I awoke to the realization that performances were ephemeral in nature. More must be done behind the scenes to create conditions that would sustain artists in their longer-term efforts to produce more high-quality productions. After MCD was formed in January 1995, my Deputy Secretary Lee Wai Kok agreed that I could set up the new “Cultural Services” branch (twinning the “Cultural Programmes” branch). I gave up my music and visual arts portfolios to focus on development work, on what is now called “capacity-building” including policy formulation, the strengthening and … Continue reading behind the scenes : hitting the ground after the glam
Every decade or so, there is a new blueprint for the arts. It’s not always clear whether the blueprint is the initiative of the current arts administration or the politicians in charge, whether it is a genuine attempt to improve things, an electioneering ploy as the Cultural Vision 1999 might have been perceived to be; or simply an expression of the current administration’s vanity. Some people will view blueprints with cynicism but for art enthusiasts hungry to propel arts into the mainstream, it is always a welcome platform to talk about the arts and inject a fresh impetus and resolve … Continue reading blueprint for the arts
On 16 November 2008, I organised a tour of the artworks in the stations of our Northeast Line. It is so wonderful how art has been integrated into the walls and floors of the stations and I so admire LTA Project Architect Andrew Mead for his great success in this endeavour. Unfortunately, we could not do for the Esplanade what he did for the NEL stations. Brother Joseph McNally, supported by a band of architects, lobbied for a modern art gallery in The Esplanade. They felt that visual artists had been short-changed as St Joseph’s Institution was not suitable for a modern art … Continue reading visual arts in the esplanade
In Aug 1996, the ground-breaking ceremony for the Esplanade was officiated by former Deputy Prime Minister Dr Tony Tan. The sun shone bright on this long-awaited occasion. Team members – construction workers, advisory panel members, architects, quantity surveyors, engineers, arts managers, everyone – gathered in anticipation of his arrival and the ceremonial first shovel of earth. The occasion was festive, enriched by the colourful artworks decorating the site’s hoardings, all entries from a student art competition “Young-at-Art” organized by a very capable Chew Su Yin. Prior to his address, DPM Tan toured the art works sharing words of encouragement with students … Continue reading esplanade theatres – breaking new grounds in the arts
In the 1980s, theatre groups had the choice of the Victoria Theatre (an 800-seat colonial legacy in the style of Her Majesty’s and Theatre Royal in Commonwealth countries), Singapore Conference Hall (a 1000+ seat convention centre designed by prominent Penang-born architect Datuk Lim Chong Keat and renowned acousticians Berenek, Bolt & Neumann (BBN)) and the 300-seat Drama Centre. The Victoria Memorial Hall hitherto used for fun fairs was renovated to house the fledgling Singapore Symphony Orchestra in 1978. Shortly after, a decision was taken to demolish the 3400-seat National Theatre with its unique cantilever roof, for safety reasons. Recognition of its unique architecture did not save this notable building designed … Continue reading Wishing, hoping and getting the esplanade theatres, a world-class performing art centre
In their own time, art-loving politicians and civil servants working in the Ministry of Culture in the 1960s and 1970s, must have yearned to build a “world-class” multi-auditoria performing arts centre in Singapore. When I joined the Ministry of Culture as Assistant Director (Music & Visual Arts Programmes) in April 1981, I joined their ranks, wishing that one day, in my time, Singapore would embark on a purpose-built art centre. I was one of the lucky individuals to have a role in realizing the dream of the performing art centre. The other fortunate individuals included George Yeo, former Minister … Continue reading Esplanade Theatres – I should be so lucky!
Singapore Arts Manager 1980's / 90's : Memories & Musings 