Escape The Haze With These Fab Activities Happening Indoors

Make no mistake: malls all across the island will be thronging with people seeking respite from the haze. But what if we told you there’s a pocket of calm at Ion Orchard? Episteme, a brand-new sensorial installation at Ion Art Gallery, is just the oh-so-Zen hideout you need from both the crowds and the haze. It’s put together by Aesop, and true to the spirit of the skincare brand, Epistēmē (the Greek word for knowledge and understanding) takes you on a multi-sensory journey to explore cool installations, and a series of short films borne out of the brand’s collab with Dutch artist Bart Hess (the films are the dramatisation of Aesop’s popular products, such as the Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Facial Hydrating Cream). Coupled with the signature Aesop store scent wafting through the gallery, this is probably the most calming, soothing space along the Orchard Road belt.

Sep 19-29, 10am-10pm daily, at ION Art Gallery, Level 4 ION Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn.

What better way to escape the haze than to duck into a hipster cocktail bar that has fashioned itself after an alpine ski lodge? Junior, the rotating bar concept tucked away in a back alley in Tanjong Pagar, has just launched its new concept, Petite Chalet. You’re teleported to the Alps by way of its refreshed décor, whimsical cocktails and hearty bar bites, all inspired by the alpine retro ski scene. Start off with Supernature ($25), an immensely refreshing high ball of vermouth, celery soda, ginseng-like herb gentian, sherry and green herbs. Also not to be missed is the Garden Gnome ($25). It may be served in these cute retro mugs but what’s inside packs a punch — it’s a strong concoction of tequila, absinthe, cucumber, gentian, lime, mint and dill. Comforting bar nosh is also available — don’t miss the delicious traditional dish of tartiflette ($18), scalloped potatoes and lardons swathed in scrummy, gooey brie and gruyere. After a few tipples, you may start to feel like you’re on a ski vacation in Switzerland, rather than muggy, hazy Singapore.

Junior is at 43 Tanjong Pagar Road (enter via alley on Cook Street). Open Mon to Sat, 7pm-midnight. Tel: 81211462.

Since its inception here in 2016, Tokyo-based interdisciplinary collective teamLab’s super photogenic dreamscapes have become a must-see for visitors, Singaporeans and ’gramaholics, of course. Who doesn’t love traipsing around in the trippy Crystal Universe? But if you’ve visited ArtScience Museum’s permanent exhibition once and think you’ve seen it all, think again.

Future World has just been refreshed and with an all-new gallery and two new artworks for your viewing — and Instagramming — pleasure. You’ll find the all-new features in the City in a Garden gallery, one of four galleries (Sanctuary, Park and Space complete the line-up). If you haven’t realised by now, City in a Garden is a riff on Singapore’s Garden City status and the theme of integrating nature back into the concrete jungle, and takes you through fields of flowers, lush meadows and even an aquarium. Find out more here.

Future World: Where Art Meets Science is on at ArtScience Museum at Marina Bay Sands. Open 10am-7pm daily (last admission 6pm). Tix and info at www.marinabaysands.com.

Photo: teamLab

The F1 after-party is back this year with more fashion, art, and music. Among this year’s performers and guests are Melanie C (Sporty Spice in the house!) and Raleigh Ritchie (that’s Grey Worm for you Game Of Thrones fans). You’ll also get a sneak peek at luxury brand MTHEMOVEMENT’s 2019 fall collection. These three nights won’t be anything less than spectacular!

Sep 20-22, 10pm-4am, Grand Ballroom of The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore, Marina Bay, 7 Raffles Ave, S039799. Tickets from $188. More info at http://www.podiumlounge.com/sg/

Tired of the same EDM that plays over and over at your favourite clubs? Dutch trance legend Jeffrey Sutorius of Dash Berlin fame will be taking over the decks at Zouk with his signature sounds. Leave your worries behind and dance the night away to some of Jeffrey’s top hits.

Sep 21, 10pm-4am, Zouk Mainroom, 3C River Valley Road, Clarke Quay, #01-05 to #02-06, The Cannery, S179022. Tickets from $50. More info at http://zoukclub.com/

At the Scentscational Orchids display at Gardens by the Bay, you have to heavily rely on your sense of smell to appreciate the exhibits — there are 58 types of orchids with various scents, categorised into delicate floral, sweet floral, spicy floral and intense floral. Cheem. The interactive nature of the display, coupled with the natural beauty of our national flower, makes for a good time for the entire clan, we reckon. Who knew there was so much to make scents of when it comes to orchids?

Until Sep 22, 9am-9pm, at Cloud Forest, at Gardens by the Bay, 18 Marina Gardens Drive, S018953. Admission charge to Cloud Forest applies. More info at http://www.gardensbythebay.com.sg/.

Photo: Gardens by the Bay

If you like floating inflatables, this one's for you. The latest showcase by ArtScience Museum takes you through five chapters of the history of inflatable sculptures. With more than 40 artworks, including eight giant inflatable sculptures, visitors will be in for a bouncing good time this June and beyond. Read our full review here.

May 25 - Sept 29, 10am–7pm, ArtScience Museum, 6 Bayfront Ave, S018974. Tickets from $12. For more info, visit https://www.marinabaysands.com/museum.html.

Anime fans, rejoice. This ongoing exhibition embraces the culture that has taken the world by storm since the 80s. Sift through anime-inspired artworks, toys and comics, all by people who have been inspired by favourites like Pokémon, Astro Boy Dragon Ball and many more. Get together with your otaku buddies and get a close-up look at how Anime has inspired artists and creators all over the world.

Till Oct 5, 7pm onwards, Kult Gallery, 11 Upper Wilkie Rd, Emily Hill, S228120. Refundable deposit at $5. More info at https://www.facebook.com/kult3D/

Assuming you were paying attention in history class (or National Day Parade rhetoric), you’d know all about the story of Sir Stamford Raffles in Singapore in 1819. But what was Singapore like before that? Back in the 1600s when cars and airplanes were merely pipe dreams, Singapore experienced much as its use as a trading port in the 17th century. Find out about how maps were used in the past not just to navigate the seas, but also their role as political documents. Featuring vivid paintings and pictures of our island’s unique trading history, this exhibit is open to all ages, from the young to the young at heart, so come down and rediscover Singapore.

From Sep 21, Exhibition Galleries, Basement Level, National Museum of Singapore, 93 Stamford Road, S178897. More info at https://www.nationalmuseum.sg/.

History goes high tech with this digital projection exhibition (replete with an interactive digital wall brimming with artworks) about the lesser-known snippets of Singapore’s history. Witness historical events that have moulded Singapore into what she is today, including the swearing-in of Yusof Ishak as first President of Singapore, the reveal of our national flag in 1959, and more. With gripping, lively projections and storytelling, you’ll feel as if you were living through these events that have cemented themselves into our nation’s history.

From Sep 1 to Aug 29, 2021, 10am-7pm, City Hall Wing, Level 3, City Hall Chamber, National Gallery Singapore, 1 St Andrew’s Road S178957. Tickets from $10. More info at https://www.nationalgallery.sg/

Forget about snapping Insta-worthy pix of our monuments and take a moment to appreciate the beauty of our historic landmarks through sketches done by three artists from the silver generation. This exhibition features poignant sketches of 18 national monuments like the Sri Mariamman Temple and Sultan Mosque. It travels through seven locations islandwide, beginning with the Jurong Regional Library (until Jun 29), before moving on to the likes of the Marine Parade Public Library and library@harbourfront.

Until Dec 30, selected NLB libraries. Free admission for Singapore Citizens and PRs. For more info, visit https://www.facebook.com/NationalHeritageBoardSG/.

Photo: Francis Theo