As the iLight Marina Bay Festival comes to an end, we have a special interview with the creators of the Merlion light display. Entitled “Light of the Merlion”, this installation happens to be a BIG HIT with the kids and it was great fun as I got to interview Carole Purnelle from OCUBU.

This Portuguese company definitely made an impression in the Singapore Skyline, and it was definitely great fun for the kids. Hope you guys enjoy the interview!

1. Where did you get the ideas from to do this light display in Singapore?

Mary-Anne, the festival director, proposed us the Merlion as canvas for a
light installation.
When we worked the ideas about the festival theme "Light meets Asia", we
thought this icon should be intervened by the all the public and not just by
us, the artists. With the interactive platform, anyone can be an artist and
paint the Merlion and share it with the others. We usually do "Participative
Art"

2. We’ve been so amazed when we saw our local icons transformed during iLight. Was it intentional to use these familiar icons?

It was completely intentional because we wanted to integrate the work in the
festival theme – "Light meets Asia". If we look at the Merlion as the city
icon, then we think that every single person in the city should be able to
interact with it and paint it paint it the way he wants. It is a place of
creativity sharing to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the sculpture.

3. Which is the most challenging display that you had to put up in iLight? Why?

"Light of the Merlion" was really challenging because we had to respect the
existing sculpture and its design lines. The projection had to be perfect
because we are working on such an icon and thousands of people will be
watching and interacting with the installation for almost 1 month.

4. Which is your favourite display and why?

Since we are participating artists, our work has a special meaning for us.
It is an achievement to which we have been working for weeks and now it
became true; it is there; you can really paint the Merlion the way you want.

In general, interactive works are our favorite ones because they invite the
public to be part of the work.
We liked also After Light because of it’s integration with the city and the
festival’s theme.

5. How is iLight different from light exhibitions in other countries?

The sustainability issue is of course a major aspect of it’s differentiation.
But in terms of feeling, as a spectator, the fact that it is organized around a bay has something magical.

——————————-End of Interview—————————————

Last weekend, we were in Hong Kong and we had a real BLAST!

Why? Because we were not just in Hong Kong, but we were at Hong Kong Disneyland!!!

When we broke the news the kids, they went wild! And who could blame them…as the experience was simply magical!  

The moment we entered the magical kingdom,  we were surrounded by a wave of music…how can you not be happy when you hear “Zip-A-Dee-Do-Da-Zip-A-Dee-Dey! My-O-My, What a Wonderful Day!”

Check out the joy beaming out of the children’s hearts, as they posed at the entrance of Disneyland.

As we reached the park at midday, we were just in time for the parade. Entitled “Flights of Fantasy”, the kids could not contain their excitement, as they awaited for the floats to come down Main Street.

The great thing about this trip was that we were invited guests for “Disney’s Prestige Tour”.

This means that we don’t need to queue up for the attractions, and when we were at the “Flights of Fantasy Parade”  we had special reserved seating! Oh! it was simply fantastic, as it meant that we did not have to fight for a place on the sidewalk!  

To add to the festivities, the kids were also invited to participate in the Parade. Here is a picture of Nicole and Kirsten (From Mothers Inc), trying out the “Limbo Rock”

Next stop was “it’s a small world!”

It was under renovation, the last time we went to Disneyland, 2 years ago. So, it was good to finally catch this attraction. Disney really knows how to create a really happy atmosphere, as there was really Happy Music everywhere, and the rides brought us to different worlds.

With the Prestige tour, we also got Priority seating at a Broadway Style Musical called “The Golden Mickeys!”

Due to our guides, we also managed to skip the long queues, and get on the “Jungle River Cruise” in record breaking time.

Nathan was a bit apprehensive about the boat ride, as the last time he went on it, he was a bit afraid of the fire, when the boat was caught in mini rapid.

Check out the silent determination as he got into the boat, and of course, he made sure that he sat in the centre of the boat as well, away from any possible danger  

Here are some views from the ride:

And oh YES! Our little Tiger made it through the ride without any tears. Even 4 yo Nadine, had no problems with the ride. So in case you are wondering, it’s safe for the kids!  

But the highlight of the tour, was of course our visit to the latest attraction at Hong Kong Disneyland! And this was none other than Toy Story Land!

With our tour guides, we were able to skip all the queues and go for any ride that we wanted! It is even faster than any fast pass, as you still have a 5-10 queue with those passes.

And this was Nathan’s favourite ride! Yes! The Slinky Dog Spin!

While Daddy went for the scariest ride of them all…

This 27m U-Shaped monster called “RC racer, shoots you into mid-air had my heart pumping like a speed engine! Try spotting me as I went through my ordeal!

If you look carefully, I am in the last row…2nd guy (next to Kelvin from Mothers Inc, who has his hands raised).

We were sitting in the last row…which is also the scariest row…trust me…I did not do it again!

Find out in our next post, which was mummy’s scariest ride!

If you  have been walking around the Marina area, the last few weeks, I am sure that you  have seen the magnificent light display at the Bay.

As the Official Blogger for the iLight Marina Bay, I managed to interview Adrian Goh, the creator of “Garden of Light”, which is a light projection on the Art Science Museum. The exhibit incorporates  a variety of light and sound effects to tell a story about environmental sustainability and highlights the beauty of the natural world.

1. Where did you get the ideas from to do this light display in Singapore?

This projection technology has been around for many years and its very
popular in Europe. In fact Singapore has adopted it for a few times in
National Day and even the Youth Olympic games opening ceremony. However,
these are not really 3D in nature. This projection this time is the biggest
3D mapping projection so far in Singapore with content creation of 3D object
and also mapping on the building structure itself. Unfortunately this
festival’s theme do not allow us to do other "very Popular" effects like
building transforming, cracking etc. Everything has to be based on
"beautiful" and "positive" content.

2. We’ve been so amazed when we saw our local icons transformed during iLight. Was it intentional to use these familiar icons?

Yes, projection on Art Science Museum always a popular icon. It was a
challenge to project onto a 3D object with duo-axis curved, the curvature
for depth of focus and brightness is 1 of the most challenging thing in
projection.

3. Which is the most challenging display that you had to put up in iLight? Why?

I believed this is the one. 16 projectors over 3 different spot, 3 different
angle, 3 different distance 60m, 160m and 280m respectively.

4. Which is your favourite display and why?

Coral Garden, a nice blend between technology and nature.

5. How is iLight different from light exhibitions in other countries?

In this festival, you sees the sustainability effort and at the same time
being able to entertain the visitors just like every other lighting festival
around the world.

—————————End of Interview——————————————

Do check out the exhibits at the Marina Bay before 1 April 2012.

Looking for something to do this weekend?

Check out the Light Catcher creation workshop as they recycle everyday items into  instruments that can catch light.

Situated within the Breeze Shelter which is near the Marina Promontory, this event will appeal  to young participants, and it will last for approx 45mins ($6 per pax)

Stay tuned for more exciting events happening this weekend!

This weekend will be the last weekend to catch the light-up at Marina Bay.  Besides the lights installations such as the Merlion that I highlighted in my previous post, here are some other installations that you can look out for.

With the display integrated into Social Media, the whole display is definitely an uncommon sight, and one that drew many curious onlookers.

One light installation that caught the kid’s eye was the sphere located at the Marina Floating Platform.

Check out the kids, as they tried to figure out, how the multi-patterned sphere is created.

And if you still think that the Marina Bay area has nothing else to offer, check out this Lighted igloo on the waterfront.

This will be the last weekend that the lights are on display, so do come down and check them out for yourselves!