HOT DRAWS

Immersive art experiences that engage audiences through techniques such as gameplay and animation are becoming blockbusters here

- Ong Sor Fern

Over the next few weeks, art lovers can walk into the lobby of famed street artist Banksy's The Walled Off Hotel.

They can also discover the life and times of American artist JeanMichel Basquiat at an exhibition that brings together art, digital installations and music. Or they can take part in gameplay in an art installation that seeks to inspire dialogue about climate change.

These hot new draws in town are "immersive art experiences" that engage audiences through various techniques ranging from 360degree projections to gamification to atmospheric installations.

The latter method is used in The Art Of Banksy: Without Limits, which opens at events platform Fever's spanking new Exhibition Hall at 25 Scotts Road on Dec 5.

Six rooms spread over 1,300 sq m recreate the aforementioned Walled Off Hotel, as well as Banksy's more recent works, such as his Ukrainian murals in rubble-strewn bombed out walls.

The exhibition, setting with which has travelled to 30 cities, has been expanded for Singapore which the show's producer sees as a good springboard for the Asia-Pacific region.

Mr Kemal Gurkaynak, managing director of Muse Marketing And Entertainment, which produces the show, declares enthusiastically that Singapore is his "dream city".

"You can create great word of mouth here." He is hoping to build buzz as after Singapore, the show will travel to Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, four cities in South Korea and two in Japan.

The Art Of Banksy is not the only one banking on Singapore's cosmopolitan buzz as a launchpad.

Behind The Canvas Series 1: JeanMichel Basquiat makes its world premiere at Marina Bay Sands on Dec 16. The show, co-presented by Singaporean company Covenant ART and famed New York collector Larry Warsh's House Of Inspiration, will take up 1,520 sq m with offerings that include a lounge with live deejay sets.