When it became clear earlier this year that the Covid pandemic would put an end to long-planned forthcoming exhibitions—the insurance value of international artworks multiplied and their shipments were indefinitely delayed, all while museums closed their doors for an unforeseen period—the National Gallery Singapore’s curatorial team had to think quickly. How, when they’d be able to reopen to the public, would they keep people entertained? Rather than ignore the crisis, the team decided to tackle it head-down—thematically at least—and, in concert with 11 other local institutions, the museum initiated Proposals for Novel Ways of Being, an umbrella concept that challenged more than 170 artists from Southeast Asia to “imagine new possibilities for the future… and explore new ways of living in a world changed by the pandemic”.
This story is from the November 2020 edition of Esquire Singapore.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the November 2020 edition of Esquire Singapore.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
THE MILD HANGOVER
Hangovers get a bad rap. We know. If you’ve gotten this far in the magazine, you’ve surely divined that we’re mildly hungover most of the time.
LET'S GET REAL (ESTATE): LUXURIOUS LONDON
Royalty, shopping, the best tea and scones the world has to offer, and a lifestyle worthy of what you're working for. Here's why London is ripe for your next investment
EYE OF THE TIGER
Hailing from Singapore, Japan and Brazil respectively, Evolve Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) athletes Darren Goh, Hiroki Akimoto and Alex Silva are proof that the ring demands as much from mind as it does from matter.
THE ADONIS COMPLEX
With the rise of superhero culture making a return and bringing with it the celebration of the classically ‘masculine’ body type, can men really overcome the pressure to conform when culture keeps getting in the way?
FUNNY BUT TRUE
A comedian, an iconic Singaporean, and now a man much evolved. After overcoming two years of pandemic limbo, unlocking career milestones one after another and undergoing a life-defining physical transformation, Rishi Budhrani is ready to emerge into the world renewed-and anew.
Watches rock
Nobody needs a wristwatch. But it’s the things we don’t need that we covet most—and watches certainly fit the bill. They can be talismans of success, conversation pieces, expressions of taste, or simply good investments. In 2022, a banner year for top-notch releases, these 12 new watches were all of the above. That they also happen to tell us the time—without reminding us of all our unread emails—is really a bonus.
MEASURE OF TIME
Longines marks its 190 years with three exclusive and classic designs from its Master collection.
A WORLD OF ITS OWN
Ralph Lauren's Double RL line occupies a close and personal place in the American designer's sprawling universe-and it's finally here in Singapore.
FRESH FIGURES
Resort, Cruise, Pre-spring-call them what you will. The collections destined for boutiques towards the end of the year are packed with big ideas. On masculinity today and how it looks and feels; new shapes in tailoring and even a little fetish-garbed commentary.
NEW ROADS
Italian luxury menswear brand Zegna has quietly but surely embarked on a new direction. Its Artistic Director Alessandro Sartori tells us why this one makes all the difference.