Angles of Incidence comprises a family of reflective elements that creates a dynamic relationship between the installation and its environment
It’s not only students who go on exchange programmes – take the Angles of Incidence installation for example. The family of reflective steel structures, some with Swarovski crystal elements, will be exhibited in the Singapore Botanic Gardens from now until March 23, 2014, before the installation travels to its new home in Inner Temple Gardens, London.
One of Singapore's leading young architects Randy Chan (left) and Bristol-based artist Philippa Lawrence (right), in conversation about the AiRx Angles of Incidence installation
Angles of Incidence is the result of the collaboration between Singapore architect Randy Chan and British artist Philippa Lawrence who participated in the third Artist-in-Residence Exchange (AiRx) programmes. Jointly organised by the Singapore International Foundation and the British Council, this programme was first launched in 2011 to build and strengthen the relationship between communities of Singapore and the UK through greater interaction and sharing of insights and perspective to promote understanding.
Chan and Lawrence decided to explore the themes of heritage, memory and identity in their project and this was instrumental in their choice of locations, as both the Singapore and British gardens are iconic and are steeped in both countries’ history and cultures. In the Singapore Botanic Gardens, the installation is situated at the 80-year-old kapok tree that’s one of the heritage trees in the garden.
Swarovski's crystal portals highten the aesthetic of Angles of Incidence drawing attention to the unseen and radiating kaleidoscopic imagery
This is the first time that jewellery brand Swarovski has supported an art and architecture project in Singapore. Swarovski crystals are built into the steel structures and contribute to a kaleidoscopic effect of light – that changes with the movement of the sun so that each moment spent exploring the installation is different. Chan and Lawrence also hope that visitors will take the opportunity to appreciate and reflect on the self and nature.
Randy Chan, after putting the finishing touches on the SIF-BC AiRx Angles of Incidence installation at the Singapore Botanic Gardens
For those interested to find out more about the programme and collaboration, Chan and curator Tolla Sloane will be at the Singapore Botanic Gardens for a tour this Saturday, January 18, 2014 and Chan will also be giving a talk later the same day.
There will also be a photo competition run in conjunction with the project. Members of the public can snap and submit their memories of the installation to www.airx.sg to win prizes. The less competitive can also share their images through Instagram via the hashtag #SIFBCAiRx.
The Angles of Incidence installation will be at Singapore Botanic Gardens until March 23, 2014. The artist tour hosted by architect Randy Chan and curator Tolla Sloane will take place from 3 to 4pm and the artist talk by Randy Chan will take place from 4.15pm to 5.15pm, both on January 18, 2014. For more information, go to www.sif.org.sg and www.britishcouncil.org.sg.