The ArtScience Museum

Sometimes, you have a loved one who loves something, and that love rubs off on you.  It happened with fairies, angels, and hummingbirds for me.  My son, Joe, LOVES Lego, and has since he was a small boy.  Even now, at 27, his birthday and Christmas lists are filled with Lego items.  I won't say that I have the same love of Lego that Joe has, but after all these years of watching him build things, I have a definite appreciation of building with Lego.

The ArtScience Museum had an exhibition called "The Art of the Brick".  It featured the works of Nathan Sawaya, a former New York lawyer, who left his practice to create works of art using Lego bricks.  He creates sculptures as well as mosaic portraits using Lego.  It was really interesting, and I was sure that Joe would love it.  As his job interferes with a visit to Singapore, I had to be his representative at the exhibit.  I did everything, and bought everything that they offered, so that I could give Joe a complete report.  I got the audio tour.  I bought the catalog.  I was at the exhibit by myself, but I did try to get into some pictures with the sculptures.  They also had some stations where they would create  Lego mosaic portrait of the individual.  There was a photo booth, too, where you could have your picture taken, and put next to some of the sculptures.  As I was preparing to leave, I noticed a Disney-esque photo order station.  I asked the attendant about it, and he said that was where they had taken your picture on the way in.  They hadn't taken my picture, maybe because I was alone, so I went back over there to have my pictures taken as a Lego figure, and with a giant pencil.  It cost $20 to get two portraits from that stand.  I would say that was the only thing that wasn't worth the price, but it did come in a great folder that showcases the Marina Bay Sands at night.  I would probably do it again, just so I could show Joe my picture in a Lego head!

There were some other exhibits at the museum, and I had gotten admission to those also.  There was a Fujians exhibit, that ended that day.  It was very interesting to learn about much earlier trade in the region.  There was also an exhibit about cameras and photography.  I was not as intrigued with that one, maybe because it was almost 3 PM, and I hadn't eaten lunch yet.  There was a cafe in the museum, but its lunch selection was limited to 4 sandwiches.  I opted to exit the museum, and head back into the Marina Bay Sands, and head to the food court.

I walked around the food court a bit before I chose a chicken and rice dish with herbal soup.  I was not really sure what to do with the soup, because it had big chunks of carrots, and slices of corn on the cob, along with chicken pieces that I considered inedible.  Maybe I was just supposed to have the broth.  I did have the broth, and the carrots, after I cooled them on my plate, as the soup was very HOT.  The area where I was sitting had an ice skating rink nearby.  There were 2 girls skating, too.  After I ate, I walked around the food court more, and realized just how extensive it was.  It was nice, because you could order food from many different vendors, and sit in the central seating area.  There was a "Burger Kraze" that had its own seating, and in the center of the mall there was a "Twinings" restaurant.  Many people were there, possibly because it was "tea time".  As I was leaving, I noticed another "Twinings" restaurant up one level, and around the corner.  I noticed many teenagers, or young adults, carrying "Twinings" bags, as there is a "Twinings" store there, too.

I headed to the taxi queue.  We had checked the public transportation sites, and they had said that travel times to the Museum were quite long, compared to the 10 minute taxi ride.  I found this surprising, because this area had been built in the last 15 years, since my previous visit.  It would seem that they would incorporate public transportation into the plan.  When I visited the Victoria and Albert Museum in London in January, the Tube took you right into a walkway that led into it, and that museum is very old!  As I was queuing for a cab, I saw signs for the subway.  Maybe it wouldn't have been as hard as the times had indicated.

Me, with the Seated Blue Man.  They say most people mimic his pose, but I couldn't do that and take the picture.  

Me, as a blue person on the wall.

Nathan Sawaya's Lego sculpture of the ArtScience Museum.

The real outside of the ArtScience Museum. 

Me, as a Lego Mosaic Portrait.

2 girls skating at the Marina Bay Sands.

The pond outside of the ArtScience Museum.

I had the driver take me to Liang Court.  I needed butter for the sweet potatoes that I was going to bake (in the microwave) that evening.  I also made pork cutlets on the grill.  We had had the grill for 6 days, and we already used it 3 times!  I wanted to check the Japanese grocery store for spices, too.  I am not really sure what spices Singaporeans use on their food, besides chili peppers and garlic.  I was hoping to gather some knowledge that I could use at the fresh market.  Sadly, I walked out knowledgeless!  Singapore is such a melting pot, with so many nationalities, and so many languages, in a fairly small geographical area, that it's hard to say what they use - especially because I don't read o speak Chinese.