Introduction
Curiocity: Places & Perspectives
Looking at Singapore today, it is easy to forget that it was once dotted with kampungs and plantations. And as we have changed, so has our cityscape. By spotlighting selected leisure and entertainment places in downtown Singapore as well as presenting fascinating histories hidden in plain sight, Curiocity gives us an opportunity to examine the evolution of our spaces and reflect on our relationship with them.
Accessible both in-person and online, Curiocity invites you to discover, learn and engage with our island’s history through the content and collections from the National Library Board and its partners. Presented in partnership with the Light to Night Festival 2022, Curiocity: Places & Perspectives will be held at the National Library Building (3 January – 3 February 2022) and across several locations in the Civic District (14 January – 3 February 2022).
Curiocity is part of NLB’s Libraries and Archives Blueprint 2025 (LAB25), a five-year journey of our next phase of transformation. Curiocity contributes towards our role as Singapore Storytellers, which aims to nurture a stronger appreciation of the Singapore experience by eliciting curiosity and wonder, while shaping an understanding of Singapore’s heritage and identity in the process.
Ready to explore this year’s Curiocity showcase? Start your journey using the map below! Please note that Safe Management Measures at the respective venues will prevail.
MAIN SHOWCASE
Home to several iconic entertainment sites, there is never a dull moment in downtown Singapore. Discover our vibrant past and explore the ’hood in a different light this year. Find out more about Curiocity here!
Encore in the City
Dates: 3 January – 3 February 2022 (closed on 1 & 2 February)
Venue: The Plaza, National Library Building
Iconic entertainment landmarks from our past return for an encore, sparking new perspectives in this installation.
Psychic Cinema 2065
Dates: 14 January – 3 February 2022 (closed on 1 & 2 February)
Venue: The Plaza, National Library Building
Explore an alternative cinema of the future through an immersive audio-visual installation that reimagines the former Jubilee Theatre.
SATELLITE INSTALLATIONS
Check out our Curiocity installations in the Civic District during the Light to Night Festival 2022. Explore our history through new, creative works by our local artists. Find out more here.
The River Connects
Dates: 14 January – 3 February 2022
Venue: Level 2 Foyer, Asian Civilisations Museum
Discover the possibilities of connection made by the bridges along the Singapore River in this experiential media installation.
A Tessellation of Memories
Dates: 14 January – 3 February 2022
Venue: Play Den, The Arts House
Travel through space and time to the forgotten places of our city’s history.
LUMBA
Dates: 14 January – 3 February 2022
Venue: Queen Elizabeth Walk, Esplanade Park
Inspired by the New Year’s Day regattas (sailboat races) of early Singapore, this interactive light installation responds to wind and movement to evoke a celebratory spirit.
PROGRAMMES
Eager for more? Check out the programmes that we have lined up for you online and at various venues here.
A DIGITAL STORY ON BRAS BASAH
There is much to discover in Bras Basah. To gain fresh insight and new perspectives on the district in the past and how it became the Bras Basah.Bugis precinct of today, check out our specially curated digital story here. You can also view it as a story map.
Is Bugis the Original Seedy Underbelly of Singapore?
Curious about Bugis Street? Join our librarians in this episode of The Library Report to find out the history of olden-day Bugis and its rowdy and salacious reputation as the hottest place for entertainment, legal and illegal in Singapore.
CIVIC DISTRICT STORY MAP
Explore the Curiocity visual installations in the Civic District using this story map. You can also use it to learn more about the historic buildings in the area. Click the image or here to view the story map.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
