The Bicentennial Experience (2019)

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Photo from The Singapore Bicentennial

President Halimah Yacob launched The Bicentennial Experience on 30 May 2019. The showcase was opened to the public on 1 June 2019. As of November 2019, it has attracted about 700,000 visitors.[1]

Background

Reverse Rain: One of the highlights of the exhibition. Photo from 8Days

On 9 April 2018, the Singapore Bicentennial Office (SBO) announced the launch of an experiential showcase at Fort Canning Centre to commemorate the nation’s bicentennial milestone.[2] According to SBO curator Chang Yueh Siang, The Bicentennial Experience is the office’s “signature event” that aims to offer a “more global overview” of Singapore’s 700 years of history.[3]

Creative & production process

Helming the creative process are Beatrice Chia-Richmond (theatre director) and Michael Chiang (media consultant and playwright). According to Richmond and Chiang, they have been working on the exhibition’s concept since November 2017. The pair drew inspiration from live shows like the Secret Cinema in London “which combines film screenings with interactive performances in purpose-built sets”. They had also used museums in Amsterdam and Berlin as case studies, observing “audience reactions to the use of technology and multimedia presentations”.[4]


According to Kingsmen Exhibits Pte Ltd, the appointed agency for The Bicentennial Experience, the project began to take shape in February 2018.[5] The experience was divided into 2 main sections: The Time Traveller and Pathfinder.

Event highlights

One of the highlights from the exhibition. Photo from The Straits Times
One of the outdoor pavilions from The Pathfinder. Photo from The Straits Times
Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat pictured in the indoor rain room. Photo from The Straits Times

The Time Traveller

The Time Traveller is an indoor segment located inside Fort Canning Centre. It consists of 5 acts that unravel Singapore’s 700-year history through sets, live performances and multimedia.[6][7] The music was fully composed by Don Richmond.[8]

Act Title Highlight Production Crew Role Refs.
1 Beginnings Live-action sequence performed on a travelator Stage One Creative Services The UK-based construction engineering company constructed the custom travelator. [9]
Lim Yu-Beng The homegrown actor choreographed the live-action sequence. [10]
2 Arrival Animation sequence from the perspectives of the indigenous wildlife found in Singapore in 1819. CraveFX The Singapore-based video production company designed the animation and storytelling sequence. [11][12]
3 Connectivity A storytelling sequence highlighting prominent individuals in Singapore’s history. Stage One Creative Services The UK-based construction engineering company constructed the moving screens and rotating seats. [13]
4 Occupation Dramatic re-enactment of Yap Yan Hong’s oral account as a survivor of the Sook Ching Massacre. Brian Gothong Tan Director [14]
Zhaowei Films To recreate the scene of Changi Beach in the 1940s, the creative team had to film the segment on a beach in Malacca, Malaysia. [15]
5 Destiny Indoor rain room - - [16]

Pathfinder

The Pathfinder, an outdoor segment at Fort Gate, comprises of 8 pavilions and installations for visitors to explore. While The Time Traveller is a guided experience, The Pathfinder is free and easy. The segment was designed to showcase Singapore’s history over time and space via the following mediums and themes: maps, artefacts, perspectives, words and reflections.[17]  

Reception

As of November 2019, it was reported that The Bicentennial Experience has an approval rating of 97.3% out of the 700,000 visitors it has welcomed.[18]


Following the initial success, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced in his 2019 National Day Rally speech that the Bicentennial Experience would be extended for an additional 3 months. The experience is slated to end on 30 December 2019.[19]

Prospects for a permanent exhibition

On 6 October 2019, Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat announced that the government is “carefully studying” the feasibility of making The Bicentennial Experience a permanent exhibition.[20] As of 4 December 2019, no further announcement has been made regarding the prospects of a permanent installation.

References/Citations

  1. ↑ “Creating the Bicentennial Experience”. Channel News Asia. December 3, 2019. Accessed 4 December 2019. Retrieved from channelnewsasia.com
  2. ↑ Toh Ee Ming. “S’pore to commemorate 200 years of history with series of events in 2019”. Today. April 9, 2018. Accessed 4 December 2019. Retrieved from todayonline.com
  3. ↑ Co, Cindy. “ ‘Reverse’ rain to feature in immersive, multisensory Bicentennial Experience showcase”. Channel News Asia. May 25, 2019. Accessed 27 November 2019. Retrieved from channelnewsasia.com
  4. ↑ Melody Zaccheus. “Creative NDP veterans promise ‘cinematic and engaging’ Bicentennial showcase”. The Straits Times. December 9, 2018. Accessed 27 November 2019. Retrieved from straitstimes.com
  5. ↑ Tan, Gerardine-Donough. “Kingsmen creates immersive experience for SG Bicentennial”. Biz Events Asia. June 13, 2019. Accessed 4 December 2019
  6. ↑ Melody Zaccheus. “Creative NDP veterans promise ‘cinematic and engaging’ Bicentennial showcase”. The Straits Times. December 9, 2018. Accessed 27 November 2019. Retrieved from straitstimes.com
  7. ↑ Toh Ee Ming. “S’pore to commemorate 200 years of history with series of events in 2019”. Today. April 9, 2018. Accessed 4 December 2019. Retrieved from todayonline.com
  8. ↑ “The musical mind behind The Bicentennial Experience”. Singapore Bicentennial. November 28, 2019. Accessed 4 December 2019. Retrieved from Facebook
  9. ↑ “Guide. From Singapore to Singaporean: The Bicentennial Experience”. Singapore Bicentennial. Accessed 15 November 2019. Retrieved from The Bicentennial Experience exhibition at Fort Canning Centre
  10. ↑ “Guide. From Singapore to Singaporean: The Bicentennial Experience”. Singapore Bicentennial. Accessed 15 November 2019. Retrieved from The Bicentennial Experience exhibition at Fort Canning Centre
  11. ↑ “Guide. From Singapore to Singaporean: The Bicentennial Experience”. Singapore Bicentennial. Accessed 15 November 2019. Retrieved from The Bicentennial Experience exhibition at Fort Canning Centre
  12. ↑ “Creating the Bicentennial Experience”. Channel News Asia. December 3, 2019. Accessed 4 December 2019. Retrieved from channelnewsasia.com
  13. ↑ “Guide. From Singapore to Singaporean: The Bicentennial Experience”. Singapore Bicentennial. Accessed 15 November 2019. Retrieved from The Bicentennial Experience exhibition at Fort Canning Centre
  14. ↑ “Guide. From Singapore to Singaporean: The Bicentennial Experience”. Singapore Bicentennial. Accessed 15 November 2019. Retrieved from The Bicentennial Experience exhibition at Fort Canning Centre
  15. ↑ “Guide. From Singapore to Singaporean: The Bicentennial Experience”. Singapore Bicentennial. Accessed 15 November 2019. Retrieved from The Bicentennial Experience exhibition at Fort Canning Centre
  16. ↑ “Guide. From Singapore to Singaporean: The Bicentennial Experience”. Singapore Bicentennial. Accessed 15 November 2019. Retrieved from The Bicentennial Experience exhibition at Fort Canning Centre
  17. ↑ Melody Zaccheus. “Creative NDP veterans promise ‘cinematic and engaging’ Bicentennial showcase”. The Straits Times. December 9, 2018. Accessed 27 November 2019. Retrieved from straitstimes.com
  18. ↑ “Creating the Bicentennial Experience”. Channel News Asia. December 3, 2019. Accessed 4 December 2019. Retrieved from channelnewsasia.com
  19. ↑ “NDR 2019: Bicentennial Experience to stay open for an extra 3 months in response to many requests”. Channel News Asia. August 18, 2019. Accessed 4 December 2019. Retrieved from channelnewsasia.com
  20. ↑ Yuen Sin. “Govt to carefully study whether Bicentennial Experience exhibition can be made permanent”. The Straits Times. October 6, 2019. Accessed 4 December 2019. Retrieved from straitstimes.com
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