Ron Arad's 720° arives in Singapore

Ron Arad’s 720°. A large light show on a stage.

Ron Arad’s 720° arrives in Singapore as part of the city’s International Arts Festival (SIFA) – which is more ’international’ this year than ever before

(Image credit: Call The Shots Photography)

By Elly Parsons

last updated 24 August 2022

in Features

Ron Arad's Curtain Call has been wowing crowds since its London inauguration in 2011. Now, reformulated as 720°, the vibrant curtain is lighting up a picturesque bayside public garden in Singapore.

Part of Singapore International Festival of Arts (SIFA), the 8m-high installation drapes a curtain of 5,600 silicone cords in a perfect circle, providing an interactive 360-degree stage for performances and cinematic projections.

The aim of the festival was to be truly international, linking global artists with local talent – and this rendering of 720° embodies the universal theme. It will play host to a theatrical display from Singaporean contemporary artist Brian Gothong Tan, who has created an electrifying multimedia performance – Tropical Traumas: A Series of Cinematographic Choreographies – staged inside Arad's immersive, silicone skeleton. The self-professed 'feast for the senses', which promises to transport you to the tropics, engulfs the space with hypnotic music and projects ethereal moving imagery onto the glowing backdrop of Arad's curtain.

This merging of international talent is seen throughout the festival (Gabriel Chan with Wu Man in Borderlands; Oliver Chong with Fernando Rubio in Time Between Us) making for a truly global experience, and giving new meaning to Gothong Tan's performance, with its focus on exploring and cross-continental travel. As the festival director Ong Keng Sen explains, 'We want to bring Singapore audiences brand-new, fresh productions from around the world. What's more, our investment in supporting and developing artists, rather than simply shopping for productions, will set SIFA apart in a crowded landscape of arts festivals in Asia.'

A large light show on a stage with buildings behind it. — The 8m-high installation drapes a curtain of 5,600 silicone cords in a perfect circle, providing an interactive 360-degree stage for performances and cinematic projections

A large light show on a stage with city buildings behind it. — The 8m-high installation drapes a curtain of 5,600 silicone cords in a perfect circle, providing an interactive 360-degree stage for performances and cinematic projections

A large light show on a stage. — Arad’s immersive, silicone skeleton will play host to a theatrical display from Singaporean contemporary artist Brian Gothong Tan, who has created an electrifying multimedia performance – *Tropical Traumas: A Series of Cinematographic Choreographies –* staged inside

A stage with people sitting next to it surrounded by curtains with a light show on it. — The self-professed ’feast for the senses’, which promises to transport you to the tropics, engulfs the space with hypnotic music and projects ethereal moving imagery onto the glowing backdrop of Arad’s curtain

A large curtain on a stage with a light show displayed on it. — Festival director Ong Keng Sen explains, ’We want to bring Singapore audiences brand-new, fresh productions from around the world. What’s more, our investment in supporting and developing artists, rather than simply shopping for productions, will set SIFA apart in a crowded landscape of arts festivals in Asia’

INFORMATION

Ron Arad's 720° is on view until 17 September at The Meadow, Singapore. For more information, visit Ron Arad's website

Photography: Call The Shots Photography

ADDRESS

The Meadow
18 Marina Gardens Drive
Singapore 018953

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Elly Parsons is the Digital Editor of Wallpaper*, where she oversees Wallpaper.com and its social platforms. She has been with the brand since 2015 in various roles, spending time as digital writer – specialising in art, technology and contemporary culture – and as deputy digital editor. She was shortlisted for a PPA Award in 2017, has written extensively for many publications, and has contributed to three books. She is a guest lecturer in digital journalism at Goldsmiths University, London, where she also holds a masters degree in creative writing. Now, her main areas of expertise include content strategy, audience engagement, and social media.

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