Street Art & Tech Art In Singapore
For a fee which is eminently reasonable we are able to delay checkout till 6pm, hugely useful when it’s an overnight flight home. One last ride on the MRT and a couple of stops on the Skytrain and we’re wandering into a crowded Changi Airport, still far too early for our flight but happy to kill time with a beer and a sandwich. Until, that is, the lady at the check-in desk suggests we stay land-side and head to the Jewel.
Has anyone seen the Jewel at Changi in the last few years? At night? Just when we think we’ve seen all of the wonders which Singapore has to offer, we stumble upon this amazing, incredible scene. In the centre of what in any case is a hugely spectacular and brilliantly modern shopping-mall-with-everything, here is something which wouldn’t be out of place at the biggest and best rock gig you’ve ever been to. It’s called The Rain Vortex.
Cascading from way up in the domed roof, water descends like a bridal veil waterfall, crashing into the pit below where it is joined by more H2O which heaves over the edges of the well and down the inside of this amazing creation. Then, to cap it all, the light-and-sound show begins, colourful forms projected on to the wall of water, moving and twisting, all accompanied by dramatic music. As good a special effect as you will ever see live, and it’s here, in an airport – in an airport shopping mall, no less. Singapore is endlessly magical, forever surprising.
Singapore is, in keeping with its clean and tidy nature, just about entirely free of graffiti, and instead leaves street artists free to work in the more bohemian and carefree districts. Having not included these previously in our Singapore posts, here’s a selection which does justice to what is an impressive collection, mostly telling stories of the history of Chinatown…
22 Comments
Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle
What beautiful street art! It allows me to see more into the day to day life of Singaporeans 🙂 I love when art imitates life
Phil & Michaela
It’s great, Rochelle…like a potted history of Chinatown on the walls
Toonsarah
Aha, I was promised a post about Singapore street art and here it is! It’s all wonderful, full of life, but my favourite is the odd one out among the bunch, the giant teapot and teacups 😀 Love the look of the Rain Vortex too – amazing sight for an airport! I’m reminded a little of the illuminated staircase in Kyoto station but that doesn’t have water.
Phil & Michaela
Yes I liked the teapot one too, Sarah, especially the guy leaning out of the window to complain to the pourer. Also, on the chicken one, the frog escaping from the bucket (and casting a shadow while doing so). Changi is ever so slightly unbelievable!
Alison
How absolutely wonderful, so much more than murals, you could gaze for hours at these, I love them all.
I’ve seen that beautiful waterfall and included it in a post last year. It’s amazing isn’t it. I didn’t do the walk though as you had to pay for that. There’s so much to do at Singapore airport
Phil & Michaela
It’s a little bit different from other airports, isn’t it. As for the murals, the more you look, the more little details you see!
Alison
Are the murals fairly recent, I’ve never seen them before
Phil & Michaela
Yes they are, mostly created since 2017 I believe
Helen Devries
Until now, I’d only thought of Changi in terms of the prison camps during WWII…very glad to have another image of it now!
Phil & Michaela
It’s amazing as airports go!
Monkey's Tale
I had to reread because I thought I misunderstood, that water feature is in the airport!? What a city! I also love the street art that is more traditional and not a modern creation. Maggie
Phil & Michaela
Yes! The terminals are arranged in an arc around the Jewel – the Rain Vortex is the centre point of Jewel. So you can easily reach it from any terminal.
WanderingCanadians
What a beautiful display of lights and water from the jewel. Good thing that lady at the check-in recommended seeing it.
wetanddustyroads
The Jewel is … well, it is a gem 😉. Lovely colours. And also love the artwork – especially the teapot and teacups – or wait, actually they’re all great.
grandmisadventures
Hands down the most beautiful airport ever!
Mike and Kellye Hefner
I can’t imagine something as beautiful as the rain vortex in an airport! The street art is absolutely stunning. What is it about Singapore that keeps everyone out of trouble and doing what they’re supposed to do? Surely there are other cities around the world that could follow that lead. Thank you for sharing this post. I’m truly amazed.
Phil & Michaela
It’s a wonderful place…can thoroughly recommend to anyone and everyone (as long as their wallet can stand the strain!)
Annie Berger
Actually, as of yesterday there were reports of corruption at the city state’s highest level! Greed is not immune in even a place as spectacular as Singapore
Phil & Michaela
Indeed so
Latitude Adjustment: A Tale of Two Wanderers
Love the waterfalls!
Annie Berger
Your posts constantly amaze me, Phil, as they highlight the incredible changes that have so often occurred in cities since we last visited! It almost makes me feel like we should be going back and not just looking forward to visiting new places on our ever expanding travel list.
We were last at Changi in mid-March of 2020 as we had to cut very short our planned 4.5 month trip we’d just started two weeks early. Too bad we didn’t know of the Rain Vortex then as it’s just stunning. Liked your description of it being akin to a bridal veil – so apt.
Phil & Michaela
One last whammy just when we thought Singapore had whammied us out!