Visitors can step into an inspiring and unique dimension featuring iconic artists and world-renowned works, including those of Frida Kahlo and Studio Ghibli
The ArtScience Museum at Marina Bay Sands has launched a special exhibition as part of the 'Year of Extraordinary Women', enhancing cultural activities in the region. This exhibition celebrates the life stories of impactful female figures throughout history. It features iconic artist Frida Kahlo and characters from Studio Ghibli films. The first exhibition, "Goddess: Brave. Bold. Beautiful", which launched in April, showcases female figures who have broken barriers and made a feminist impact in the screen industry. In May, the museum presented two new exhibitions celebrating Frida Kahlo, titled "Frida Forever".
Meanwhile, eagerly anticipated is The World of Studio Ghibli exhibition scheduled for October, coinciding with year-end celebrations. This massive immersive exhibition highlights iconic Japanese animated films from Studio Ghibli and promises an interactive theatrical experience on a grand scale. Visitors can engage directly with beloved Ghibli characters and explore the worlds of renowned films like My Neighbor Totoro, Princess Mononoke, and Spirited Away.
"The exhibitions and programs we're preparing this year focus on celebrating and appreciating the lives of female figures who have broken conventional narratives. Studio Ghibli's visually stunning films explore humanist themes like ecology and nature, featuring a diverse cast of strong, independent female characters. This exhibition aligns perfectly with our 'Year of Extraordinary Women' theme. Alongside Goddess and Frida Forever, we're curating programs throughout the year centered on women's issues in the arts and sciences. We aim to make 2024 an important and memorable year for ArtScience Museum," explained Honor Harger, Vice-President of ArtScience Museum at Marina Bay Sands.
The red carpet will be rolled out until August 11, granting entry to the Goddess: Brave. Bold. Beautiful exhibition. The ArtScience Museum invites visitors to embark on a visual journey through 120 years of moving image history, showcasing a series of significant figures from classic Hollywood and contemporary Asia in luxurious and exclusive presentation.
The exhibition weaves together narratives from film and television content, showcasing the evolution of women's portrayal alongside the efforts of female artists to shape their desired roles with determination and hard work. Through the stories of iconic figures like Marilyn Monroe, Dorothy Dandridge, and Michelle Yeoh, the exhibition sheds light on the challenges women face in overcoming industry biases and stereotypes. It also examines how famous archetypes like the femme fatale challenge societal perceptions of real women, offering new perspectives on film works and the moments they capture.
These stories will be unveiled through eight (8) zones, showcasing over 150 cinematic treasures and authentic behind-the-scenes moments, including photographic works, document archives, and digital visual projections. Additionally, there will be 19 pairs of original costumes worn by Marilyn Monroe, Zendaya, Billy Porter, Tilda Swinton, and Zhang Ziyi during filming, challenging rigid and traditional fashion norms. This serves as a way for these celebrities to question society's perceptions of gender.
Produced by the Australian Center for the Moving Image (ACMI), a leading institution in Australia celebrating film, TV, and games through exhibitions, screenings, and events in Melbourne, this new iteration, created in collaboration with the ArtScience Museum, also highlights film figures in Asia who have left a profound impact on fans and played influential roles in shaping social and cultural values.
Alongside Chinese opera legend Yam Kim-fai and Asian film icons like Lisa Lu, Gong Li, Joan Chen, and Tang Wei, the new section of the exhibition highlights three actresses from the golden era of Malay cinema in Singapore: Saloma, Maria Menado, and K Fatimah, spanning from the 1940s to the 1970s.
Furthermore, Singaporean actress Fann Wong has joined the ranks of tough and stunning heroines in "Goddess," showcasing her fighting skills in remarkable local films and TV series. Wong was also the first Singaporean actress to break into Hollywood, portraying the main character, Chon Lin, in the action-comedy film "Shanghai Knights" (2003) alongside Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson.
For more information about "Goddess," please visit: https://www.marinabaysands.com/museum/exhibitions/goddess.html