Mysterious Gardens is not a specific area in Haw Par Villa – it is what I call a few areas in the entire compound that are quite… strange.
Tag Archives | culture
Haw Par Villa photowalk – Pavilion and Pagoda
The Pavilion and Pagoda zone at Haw Par Villa is a brief respite from the terrors of the Ten Courts of Hell. It is a small but open area, with a large pond being the key highlight – the Pagoda and Pavilion in the middle. A series of faded ornamental bridges link different parts of the pool together.
Haw Par Villa photowalk – Ten Courts of Hell
The Ten Courts of Hell is the hallmark attraction at Haw Par Villa. World famous for depicting all sorts of gruesome punishments for sins in one’s life, this harrowing journey to the netherworld is a short walkthrough within a dark tunnel.
Although similar to Hell Houses and some “Haunted” attractions, this attraction is not a Haunted House (well, not in the usual sense) and does not use effects as part of the experience. Rather, it is a glimpse into the beliefs of afterlife in Chinese culture and folklore, both modern and traditional. I’d say the purpose of this attraction is more of a cautionary tale than entertainment.
Haw Par Villa photowalk – Entrance Gardens
Haw Par Villa is a theme park lost in time. Originally called the Tiger Balm Gardens, this quaint park was built by the founders of Tiger Balm – the Aw brothers. It is filled with thousands of statues and dioramas to depicting Chinese mythology, history and traditional values. Under new management in the late 80s, the gardens evolved into a theme park – Haw Par Villa Dragon World, complete with shows and rides.
Gucci Flora Icon exhibition
Showing for just two days at the ArtScience Museum, the Gucci Flora Icon exhibition invites visitors to trace the origins of the Flora motif and discover some pieces that don the iconic motif. From garments to porcelain items, the Flora print breathes life to objects curated over the past five decades.
The Art of the Brick
The Art of the Brick presents a stunning collection of brick creations by Nathan Sawaya, famed LEGO artist (and LEGO Master Builder) from New York. Staged at the Level 3 Galleries in the ArtScience Museum at Marina Bay Sands, Sawaya’s creations dance between thought-provoking sculptures with the playful medium of colourful LEGO bricks.
Louis Vuitton: The Art of Packing
In the 1830s, a young frenchman walked 400 kilometres from his hometown to Paris. He became an apprentice layetier in Paris, packing luggage (trunks) for wealthy travelers. Eventually, he became famous for his craft and was asked to be the layetier for Empress Eugénie. Years later, he opened his own trunk workshop which over several decades, developed into one of the most iconic makers of fine luxury goods in the world. His name was Louis Vuitton.
Louis Vuitton’s trunks are produced at their historic workshop at Asnières, together with the top-end range, such as special orders. These hardsided trunks are made by hand by master craftsmen. While trunks are not commonly used as luggage today, they are sought by collectors for ornamental purposes or converted to opulent coffee tables.
A few months ago, Louis Vuitton unveiled The Art of Packing, an interactive experience filled with expert tips and how-to guides on packing luggage. It is also a travelling installation at select Louis Vuitton stores worldwide. Recently, it visited the Travel Room at Louis Vuitton Island Maison, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore.
Hermès – The Gift Of Time
Some of us dream of pausing time, or going back in time. But we can never stop the march of time.
Hermès presents The Gift Of Time – an exhibition at Tanjong Pagar Railway Station. Designed by Hilton McConnico, the exhibition tells a story (or several) about Hermès with contemplations of time. The concept of time is inherent to all the exhibits, with the exhibition space represented as time itself – with a circular, clock-like, walk-through layout. It provides playful interpretations to time (free time, suspending time, cycles of time, what comes with time, etc) with the use of Hermès products to construct various installations.
Whether you are a fan of Hermès or not, you should plan a trip to The Gift Of Time. The exhibition is free and will be open to public from now till 12 August 2012, 11:00AM ~ 09:00PM daily. Some areas of Tanjong Pagar Railway Station are also open to public during this period.
Harry Potter: The Exhibition – review
I read the Harry Potter books during my teenage years. J.K. Rowling’s writing, simple yet enchanting, has always brought me to the Wizarding World, even after countless re-reads.
I was very excited to hear that Harry Potter: The Exhibition will be shown in Singapore. Partly because I was working on a group project – an advertising campaign for the ArtScience Museum. The scope of Harry Potter allowed me to design A LOT – practically anything can be adapted from the Harry Potter universe into marketing materials.
A few months later, Harry Potter: The Exhibition opened at ArtScience Museum, Marina Bay Sands. For the first time in Asia, this travelling exhibition features props and costumes from the Harry Potter film series, including a first-ever complete set of Horcruxes.
Featuring artifacts in settings inspired by the film sets, go on a journey through the famous wizard’s world and experience first-hand all the wonders of Hogwarts™ such as the Gryffindor™ common room, Hagrid’s hut, and the Great Hall. Along the way you can pull a Mandrake from its pot, toss a Quaffle in the Quidditch™ area, and encounter centaurs, Buckbeak™ the Hippogriff and a giant Acromantula spider in the Forbidden Forest.
On display for the first time in Asia, Harry Potter: The Exhibition features all your favorite costumes and props like Harry’s wand and eyeglasses, Hermione’s Yule Ball gown, the Golden Snitch™, the Marauder’s Map and so much more.
Hermès Festival des Métiers
Have you ever wondered why people would pay a small fortune for Hermès products? Or why do Birkin bags command years-long wait lists? Or why do their stores carry this mystical air of timelessness?
Learn about the magic behind Hermès