Giant lotus or welcoming hand? That’s the question many ask when first seeing the ArtScience Museum. It stands before us a beacon of creativity. The ArtScience Museum blends art, science, culture and technology. It opened its doors on February 17, 2011. Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong was present. The ArtScience Museum is more than just a building. It is a place where ideas converge.
Sheldon Adelson, Las Vegas Sands chairman, called it the “Welcoming Hand of Singapore”. The ArtScience Museum is designed by Moshe Safdie. Its unique architecture features a round base. Ten extensions reach towards the sky like fingers. Each finger holds a gallery space. Skylights at the fingertips provide natural light. This reduces the need for artificial illumination.
Rainwater is cleverly harvested at the ArtScience Museum. It flows through the building’s center. The water collects in a reflecting pond below. This recycled water is then used in the restrooms. The ArtScience Museum is not only beautiful but also sustainable.
Inside, the ArtScience Museum boasts 21 gallery spaces. These cover 6,000 square meters. While a permanent exhibition was planned, the museum now mainly hosts touring exhibitions. These exhibitions come from museums around the world.
Past exhibitions have included “Traveling the Silk Road” and “Genghis Khan”. “Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition” also graced its halls. The ArtScience Museum has hosted “Harry Potter: The Exhibition” and “The Art of the Brick”. These diverse shows attract visitors of all ages and interests.
Imagine stepping into the “Singapore 2219” exhibit. This exhibit was presented in five acts. The first act, “Arrival”, features six giant screens. These screens display images of our current world. They highlight our role in its changes. Act two, “Home”, presents a futuristic Singaporean home. Hydroponically grown food and mealworm gardens are essential here. Act three, “Underworld”, explores subterranean existence. A library of essential books emphasizes the importance of passing on knowledge.
In act four, “Adaptation”, visitors meet a species older than humans which is jellyfish. An aquarium of jellyfish serves as the centerpiece. Experts describe why jellyfish will outlive us. The final act, “Memories”, asks us to consider what future generations will find of us. What meanings will they attach to our objects?
Consider the “Sketch Town” installation. Visitors color objects. They scan their drawings. The objects then appear in a virtual town. You can even defend the town from a dragon. The ArtScience Museum encourages interaction and play.
The ArtScience Museum combines education and entertainment. It offers something for everyone. Its blend of art and science creates a breathtaking experience. So, step inside. Explore the wonders within this iconic lotus-shaped museum. Let your curiosity guide you through its many worlds. The ArtScience Museum awaits.