SINGAPORE  – Mapletree Investments (“Mapletree” or “the Group”) is proud to announce the launch of “Culture City. Culture Scape.” on 5 March 2021, an art book published by NTU Centre for Contemporary Art (NTU CCA Singapore) at The Single Screen, Blk 43 Malan Road, in Gillman Barracks. The book documents the public art commission, under the eponymous theme of “Culture City. Culture Scape.”, at Mapletree Business City (MBC) II and showcases works by renowned international artists Dan Graham (United States), Tomás Saraceno (Argentina/Germany), Yinka Shonibare CBE RA (Nigeria/United Kingdom) and Zul Mahmod (Singapore). It also includes the curators’ conversations with the artists and the Chairman of Mapletree, Mr Edmund Cheng, as well as reflective essays on the potential of art in public spaces, which explore the role art can play in public education and social corporate investment.

The highlight of the launch was a conversation between Mr Cheng, Mr Peter Schoppert, Director of NUS Press; and Professor Ute Meta Bauer, Founding Director of NTU CCA Singapore. The trio touched on the inspiration for the art book and how it complements the Public Art Trail, while serving as a valuable educational resource for future generations and policy makers alike. Public art also sparks debates and dialogues, which help to collect public views to address contemporary issues.

Mr Cheng shared that, “Commissioning public artworks is a long-term commitment for corporates. We hope to set an example for other corporates and the public sector to do the same by incorporating art into their vision and developments so that art can reach out to every member of society. This unique collaboration also signals the importance of corporate partnerships in contributing significantly to cultural vibrancy in our urban environment. At the same time, the working community would also benefit as public artworks inspire them to think differently, thus achieving balance that would benefit their corporate work with the added perspectives.”

The launch also premiered the trailer of an online resource — the Virtual Tour of the MBC II Public Art Trail — for those who are not able to visit the Art Trail in person, by introducing Elliptical Pavilion (2017), Stillness in Motion — 3 Airborne Self-Assemblies (2017), Wind Sculpture I (2013) and Sonic Pathway (2017) as well as two artefacts, the Merryweather Pump Escape Fire Engine and the Fullerton Lighthouse, from Mapletree’s maritime collection, which have been restored as art pieces.

Professor Bauer said, “When you create a public artwork, there are many parameters at stake: it has to last long; it needs to be durable; it should be a work that you enjoy ten years from now. It’s not just that there is an artwork; it needs a commitment to make these artworks accessible to the community.” She further stressed that the Mapletree-NTU CCA Singapore Public Art Education Programme provides this accessibility in a diverse yet integrated manner: “the publication works holistically with other educational resources, from the Culture City. Culture Scape. web page, to the Centre’s downloadable educational resource guide, and our ongoing walking tours for the Public Art Trail.”

The book launch that was held in conjunction with the Singapore Art Book Fair 2021 is part of the Mapletree-NTU CCA Singapore Public Art Education Programme, which started in October 2017, and includes guided tours on the Mapletree Public Art Trail, public events, educational seminars and conferences.

For more information on the artworks in the Mapletree Public Art Trail and upcoming events under the Public Art Education Programme, please visit www.mapletreeArts.sg.

Selected photos of the event (high-res) can be found here.
Photography by Yeo Kai Wen. Courtesy NTU CCA Singapore

In Conversation: Professor Ute Meta Bauer, Mr Edmund Cheng, and Mr Peter Schoppert, Culture City. Culture Scape. book launch, 5 March 2021, NTU CCA Singapore.

In Conversation: (From left) Prof Ute Meta Bauer, Founding Director, NTU CCA Singapore; Mr Edmund Cheng, Chairman, Mapletree; and Mr Peter Schoppert, Director, NUS Press.

From left: Professor Ute Meta Bauer, Founding Director, NTU CCA Singapore; Mr Edmund Cheng, Chairman, Mapletree; Mr Peter Schoppert, Director, NUS Press; Mr Wan Kwong Weng, Group Chief Corporate Officer, Mapletree; and Ms Khim Ong, Head & Curator, Biennale and Residencies, Singapore Art Museum.