Funan ushers the new year with its signature public art initiative, “Creative Intersections,” themed “Snakes and Ladders.” The creative direction is to manifest the attributes of the Snake zodiac sign—creativity, insightfulness, and transformation—into diverse forms of art, workshops, and merchandise.
Back for its fifth iteration from 17 Jan to 16 Feb 2025, feast your eyes with no less than 23 exhibits – representing the efforts of 15 local artists and 13 brands curated by Vertical Submarine and various mall exhibits – that will be put up for public appreciation. Creative Intersection: SNAKES and LADDERS is positioned as an “art-meets retail” program recognised by the annual Singapore Art Week 2025 as a form of public art.
The exhibition will be presented on two fronts. At the tenant level, brands are partnering with various artists to co-create works of art that will be displayed in their stores. This year, eight brands are participating for the first time in Creative Intersections: Audio Technica, Dal.komm COFFEE, Dreame, Omnidesk, Sinpopo Brand, Skin Belief, The Green Collective and The Pace.
At the mall level, Funan collaborates with local artists to create exhibits for public display. These mall exhibits include “Puzzled by the Stairs” by Vertical Submarine, Funan’s first interactive puzzle at its Grand Stairs; a new animation entitled “Dance like a boa, Swing like a bae” by Umami Labo at the first-of-its-kind Kinetic Wall; six Passion Snakes and a 15-meter “Fortune Snake” hanging art installation.
#1 PUZZLED BY THE STAIRS
SNAKES AND LADDER INTERACTIVE PUZZLE
This interactive puzzle – located at the Level 1 Grand Stairs – invites visitors to Funan to explore the ups and downs of life through play. Inspired by the classic board game and the reflective themes of the poem Snakes and Ladders, this installation is designed as an engaging activity for all ages. Visitors are challenged to solve a whimsical children’s poem by guessing the missing letters.
HOW TO PLAY
1. SCAN QR CODE Visitors scan the code to access an online form where they can input their guesses for the missing letters on each standee.
2. PLAY FOR A CHANCE TO WIN The first 25 shoppers to guess correctly each week from 17 Jan to 16 Feb 2025 will win $10 eCapitaVouchers in the CapitaStar app. Prizes are available while stocks last!
ABOUT THE CREATORS
Interactive puzzle: by Vertical Submarine, an art collective acclaimed for its interdisciplinary projects.
Campaign key visual: by Wendy Mack, artist, author, and educator.
#2 PASSION SNAKES
#3 KINETIC WALL ANIMATION
The Kinetic Wall is Singapore’s first-of-its-kind 7-storey digital art installation at Funan. It measures 13m high and 9m wide and is constructed of 1,271 motorised light blades and embossed aluminium panels. Mirrored ceilings complement this spectacular structure to heighten its visual impact.
“DANCE LIKE A BOA, SWING LIKE A BAE”
Click here to see the Kinetic Wall animation.
This artwork draws inspiration from the enduring presence of snakes in popular culture, juxtaposing iconic representations that have captivated audiences through the ages. From the serpent offering Eve the forbidden apple to the whimsical game of Snakes and Ladders, the martial arts classic Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow, and the pixelated nostalgia of Nokia’s Snake game, these elements reveal a rich tapestry of entertainment history.
The piece reflects the evolution of technology and its impact on our entertainment experience. The pixelation is a metaphor for the digital age, where simplicity often conceals deeper narratives. Just as the snake embodies temptation and duality, our current state of entertainment oscillates between the profound and the trivial, merging ancient archetypes with contemporary platforms.
This artwork not only honours the timeless allure of the snake but also critiques the rapid changes in our media landscape. It invites viewers to consider how these age-old symbols resonate in a world increasingly dominated by screens and pixels.
WHEN CAN SHOPPERS VIEW THE NEW ANIMATION
Location: At the intersection between Coleman Street and North Bridge Road
Period: 17 Jan 2025 to 16 Feb 2025
Time: 10 am to 10 pm.
Intervals: Every 10 minutes. For example, 10.00 am, 10.10 am, 10.20 am.
Duration: 1 minute
ABOUT THE CREATOR
Umami Labo is an indie multidisciplinary studio founded by a passionate visual artist and creative with expertise in art direction and visual marketing. They specialise in blending fine art with innovative experiences that truly delight.
ABOUT CREATIVE INTERSECTIONS: SNAKES AND LADDERS
Justin Loke, Creative Director of Vertical Submarine, curated Creative Intersections: SNAKES and LADDERS as a gamified exhibition that celebrates the timeless charm of the ancient board game and delivers an immersive experience.
Justin gathered a colony of Singaporean and Singapore-based artists to envision associated themes, such as resilience, transformation, and interconnectedness, into diverse art forms. From paintings, sculptures, multimedia installations, and interactive experiences, these artists weave their unique blend of influences, pop culture, and heritage into their creative works such that shoppers embark on an art odyssey at Funan.
Vertical Submarine, a collective of artists, crafted the exhibition poem, which can be found at the SNAKES and LADDERS interactive puzzle at the Grand Stairs.
EVENT DETAILS AT A GLANCE
EVENT NAME: Creative Intersections: SNAKES and LADDERS at Funan
GENRE: Art exhibition
DATE: 17 January – 16 February 2025
TIME: 10 am – 10 pm
VENUE: Funan 107 North Bridge Road Singapore 179105
TICKETING: Free
Funan’s multifaceted experiential exhibition – Creative Intersections: SNAKES and LADDERS – is held as part of the Singapore Art Week. There are 23 exhibits created by 15 local artists, 13 brands, and the artist group Vertical Submarine, and they are displayed within the mall and at participating stores. Satiate your curiosity and appetite for art in myriad serpentine forms such as installations, animations, murals, sculptures, merchandise, talks, workshops and even auctions. For the first time, Funan transforms their Grand Stairs into an interactive Snakes and Ladders puzzle that shoppers can play with and win exciting rewards!
Website: www.capitaland.com/sg/malls/funan/en.html
Facebook: www.facebook.com/FunanSG
Instagram: www.instagram.com/funansg
Official hashtags: @FunanSG #FunanSG #CreativeIntersections
