Press Release Date: 23 Sep 11
For the first time, the award-winning art installation, WaterFire, is coming to Asia and will be on display in Singapore at the Bedok Reservoir Park. Temasek Polytechnic (TP) is bringing in this art installation on September 24 and 25 from 6pm onwards as the main highlight of its Global Community Day (GCD), celebrated in conjunction with National Parks Board’s Parks Festival. This will see MG (NS) Mr Chan Chun Sing, Acting Minister for Ministry of Community Development, Youth & Sports and Chairman of the National Integration Council, launch the event by lighting the first of the 60 braziers on the waters of Bedok Reservoir.
GCD has been a staple in the Polytechnic’s calendar for the last 12 years, designed to showcase the diverse cultures that reside on campus. This year, TP is pleased to bring GCD to the public to facilitate community engagement and integration by bringing in WaterFire. Created by internationally acclaimed artist, Barnaby Evans, WaterFire made its debut in Providence, Rhode Island, USA. Seen by more than 10 million visitors in the U.S. and from Europe, the installation is set on the three rivers of downtown Providence and has been praised as a powerful work of art and a moving symbol of Providence’s renaissance. The event seeks to engage the community in various ways, bringing life and revitalising Rhode Island’s capital city.
“The essence of TP’s Global Community Day is to celebrate diversity in Singapore and to rejoice in our unity within,”said Sally Chew, Director of Temasek Polytechnic’s Centre for TransCultural Studies. “The powerful WaterFire art installation that we are bringing to Asia for the very first time promises to be a rich, revitalising experience for Singapore’s residents and visitors. We hope to continue to foster community engagement and global citizenry through many such creative endeavours in the future as well.”
More than 500 volunteers will be involved in the 2-night event. TP staff and students, staff from NParks and People’s Association as well as members of the public have stepped forward to be part of this historic art installation.
Faith Yeo, a financial planner, decided to volunteer as a firetender at WaterFire. “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to participate in an art installation on such a big scale. There are so many things to learn, from piling the wood properly to handling fire in a safe manner!” she said.
Eleven countries will be sharing their cultures and traditions on GCD via their respective Country Pavilions, with TP students helping out in their activities. Members of the public will be able to learn more about their cultures and traditions. Other highlights include home-grown fire twirlers, “FireFlys”; cultural performances as well as performances by TP students and buskers.
Note: The braziers of WaterFire will be lighted at 7:50PM. Updated information can be found on Global Community Day with Parks Festival’s Facebook page @ https://www.facebook.com/#!/WaterFireSingapore.
About Temasek Polytechnic
Temasek Polytechnic (TP) is a significant contributor to the field of para-professional education in Singapore. TP currently offers 53 full-time diploma courses in the areas of applied science, business, design, engineering, humanities & social sciences and informatics & IT. It also offers over 40 part-time courses, up to the advanced diploma level. TP students undergo a holistic learning system that combines hands-on experience, character education and relevant life skills, in an enriching learning environment. The Polytechnic has also infused global realities into its programmes and developed a mindset on campus that embraces socio-cultural diversity. These approaches ensure that TP graduates are economy relevant, future relevant and life relevant. For more information, please visit www.tp.edu.sg.
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