Singapore’s Super Trees 5: TREEmendous Sculptures
Welcome to Day 5 of Singapore’s Super Trees here on DDOA! Today we we will go around Singapore to spot and learn about the most TREEmendous sculptures on the island.
First Stop: Vivo City
Sculpture 1: FLOWER TREE
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FLOWER TREE
by Korean artist Choi Jeong-Hwa
Vivo City International Art Collection
Photography by Michael Wortman
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Description: A 6-metre tall spherical bouquet of colourful flowers blooms on the Harbourfront boardwalk. This 6-metre all tower flower tree blooms among the trees along The Promenade. Its larger-than-life vibrancy adds colour and brightness to the everyday environment.
Symbolism: A symbol of affluence, courage and youth, the Flower Tree invites people to stop, amidst the hustle and bustle of their lives, and smell the flowers.
About the Artist: Born in Korea in 1961, Choi has exhibited his colourful designs in Europe, USA, Australia and Asia. His style is simple, reaching through the generations with friendly forms that brighten up the skies that he decorates.Info Source
SECOND STOP: Marina Bay
SCULPTURE 2: BREATHE
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Design by Edwin Cheong
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DESCRIPTION: It is a Commemorative Sculpture of the 1st Youth Olympic Games. It was commissioned by City Developments Limited in partnership with the Urban Redevelopment Authority. The three trees with a total of 192 olive-leaf-shaped cups, represents the 192 nations of the world.(Read more below)
SYMBOLISM: “BREATHE” is a conceptual representation of a tree and the bronchi of an athlete’s lungs, it reflects the Olympic ideal of responsibility towards the environment.
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| Design Concept by EDWIN CHEONG Image Source |
Like how the earth “breathes” through its forests and trees, an Olympian maintains his endurance by simply breathing. Breathe is a kinetic sculpture that captures wind by day and translates this energy into tiny lights at night – a visual reminder of the self-sustaining nature of our environment if we do not harm it. The black patina finish reflects the critical condition that our environment is currently facing. The three trees with a total of 192 olive-leaf-shaped cups, represent the 192 nations of the world. Breathe symbolises the peace and environmental consciousness shared by these nations and their united spirit for a truly sustainable global environment.
About the Artist: Architecture-trained artist Edwin Cheong endeavors to create experiences that are emotive and memorable through his artistic involvement in a given environment. Versatile and possessing an exploratory quest for contemporary aesthetic expressions, his current projects involvement includes a wide range of clienteles and visual art forms.Info Source
THIRD STOP: Central Business District
(Raffles Place area)
SCULPTURE 3: MOMENTUM
Is it a Christmas TREE?
If you chance upon this sculpture around the Christmas season you might just mistake it for a Christmas tree. But the truth is- it is no seasonal decoration nor is it a tree, it’s here all year round and it’s called MOMENTUM.
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| Momentum by artist DAVID GERSTEIN Central Business District, Singapore Image Source |
DESCRIPTION:
Title: Momentum Year: 2007 Medium: Painted Steel
Dimensions: Height 18350mm x Diameter 11187mm
Commissioned by: One Raffles Quay Pte Ltd
SYMBOLISM: The sculpture’s layers upon layers of figures in an upwards spiral motion represent the populations high energy and a continuous cycle of progress. This work pays tribute to Singapore’s present and past generations, for without their toil, strength and ingenuity, Singapore would not have become the dynamic metropolis it is today. The sculpture signals the vision, continual commitment of everyone to help steer Singapore into a vibrant global city.
Image and Info Source
Title: Momentum Year: 2007 Medium: Painted Steel
Dimensions: Height 18350mm x Diameter 11187mm
Commissioned by: One Raffles Quay Pte Ltd
SYMBOLISM: The sculpture’s layers upon layers of figures in an upwards spiral motion represent the populations high energy and a continuous cycle of progress. This work pays tribute to Singapore’s present and past generations, for without their toil, strength and ingenuity, Singapore would not have become the dynamic metropolis it is today. The sculpture signals the vision, continual commitment of everyone to help steer Singapore into a vibrant global city.
Image and Info Source
About the Artist: David Gerstein Born 1944, is a contemporary Israeli artist and creator of hand painted, indoor and outdoor sculptures. Read more
FOURTH STOP: National Museum of Singapore (Front Lawn)
SCULPTURE 4: THE TREE
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| “The TREE” by FARM Front Lawn, National Museum of Singapore Image & Info from Contemporist |
DESCRIPTION:
Size: 100 square metres
Year: Completion 2009
Design Team: Torrance Goh, Peter Sim, Willie Koh, Dylan Quek
*The Tree was awarded President Design Award 2010 for Design of the Year
SYMBOLISM:(According to FARM) “When we think about the National Museum of Singapore, association with another grand old dame comes to mind. It is the huge old banyan tree that sits majestically on the museum’s front lawn, seemingly holding fort to a place full of histories, stories and magic. We wanted to allude to all these richness and symbolism through a contemporary reading of the banyan tree…” Info from FARM
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| The Tree at Night Front Lawn, National Museum of Singapore Info and Photo from FARM |
“The Tree is a reconstruction from a series of interlocking frames with lights that pulsates gently in the night. Hanging microphones simulating that of aerial roots will also detect environment sounds and alter the lighting nature of the Tree – glowing intensely and dimming down with the rising and falling sound levels.Just like in the past, as it is now, we hope this Tree will inspire people to slow down, take a breather and simply bask and partake in this recreation of nature’s wonder.”
And as Paul Simon wistfully reminds us in his 1990 song Spirit Voices, “And slept on the banks on the leaves of a banyan tree… Some stories are magical, meant to be sung.”
And as Paul Simon wistfully reminds us in his 1990 song Spirit Voices, “And slept on the banks on the leaves of a banyan tree… Some stories are magical, meant to be sung.”
About the FARM: “We are often asked who we are and what we do. We call ourselves FARM because we would like to cultivate a culture of imagination. Underpinning all we do is a belief that joyful creativity is essential in all our lives. We at FARM endeavour to share with you that delight in each of our projects.”Read more
DAILY DOSE OF ART 
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