Hell's Museum
It is easy to dismiss Haw Par Villa as a tacky tourist trap. But this heritage gem still has some surprises up its sleeve. With the Hungry Ghost Festival coming up, it is a good time to revisit the famous 10 Courts of Hell attraction, which has traumatised generations of children in Singapore.
The display is now part of Hell's Museum, the only ticketed part of the park. Launched late last year, Hell's Museum is a surprisingly decent attempt at giving the 10 Courts some historical and global context.
The journey begins with a short film, which gives viewers a crash course on the evolution of major world religions. The next part of the museum expands on the two contrasting concepts of time, as linear and as cyclical, in world religions and touches on how they influence ideas about the afterlife.
The exhibits also draw parallels between different cultures - the Mexican Day Of The Dead, Japan's Obon festival and Singapore's Qing Ming festival have intriguing similarities. There is a section dedicated to funerary practices and artefacts, with one wall panel touching on burial practices here.
Most intriguing is the outdoor display, which recreates the trappings of a void deck funeral and a model of a traditional Chinese tomb with a panel explaining the significance of the structure's architectural features.
Evident care and thought, as well as proper research, have been put into these sections. Of course, the main event is still the vivid tableau of the 10 Courts, as vibrantly violent as before. I also discover that "misusing books" is punishable in hell with the perpetrator being sawn in half. Rather over the top, but as a book nerd, I appreciate the sentiment.
Where: Haw Par Villa, 262 Pasir Panjang Road
MRT: Haw Par Villa
When: Wednesdays to Sundays and public holidays, 10am to 6pm, last entry at 5pm. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays
Admission: $18
Info: Haw Par Villa's website
Craft X Design
Ketupat shapes linked into modules that can be stacked and shifted into stools and benches. A minimalist bamboo light fixture that employs traditional lantern-craft techniques. Rangoli designs adapted into laser-cut lampshades and a dramatic evening gown that employs traditional Peranakan embroidery and beading for that extra oomph.
These items are part of this inaugural showcase and a great example of how traditional crafts can inspire contemporary design. Four teams, each comprising a traditional craftsman partnered with a contemporary designer, have created items that fit beautifully into contemporary lifestyles. Here is hoping some of these prototypes actually make it into commercial production.
Where: Long Concourse, National Museum of Singapore, 93 Stamford Road
MRT: Bras Basah
When: Till July 31, 10am to 7pm daily
Admission: Free
Info: National Museum of Singapore's website
