SINGAPORE – BTO is an acronym that excites many young lovebirds looking to take the next step in their relationship. On Jan 16, I found myself at an auction for special features – such as noise-cancelling windows and a built-in mahjong table – that I wanted in my dream Build-To-Order flat.
My team and I played it safe and chose not to splurge during the early rounds of bidding, but the abrupt ending of the auction meant we walked away with only a drink-making robot for the flat.
This “auction” is one of the interactive games that guests can participate in during the Somerset Threads Live Theatrical Experience – a merger of a street art exhibition with an interactive play.
Other highlights include a game where the audience must guess if movie synopses are real or fake, a poll to determine Singapore’s next national sport, and a rap battle.
During the event, participants are guided from art piece to art piece by two actors from theatre collective Strawberries Inc, who play characters conducting a survey on how to make Somerset the coolest area in Singapore.
The four murals and an art sculpture that are showcased in the play are located across the Somerset belt district, which includes various youth hot spots such as the Somerset Youth Park, Somerset Skate Park and *Scape.
At each street art, I learnt more about the art piece and history of the Somerset district through comedic performances and interactive games.
This unique, and sometimes chaotic, 1½-hour experience runs on selected dates in January, though the murals are free for viewing until November 2025.
It also takes place rain or shine, though I would recommend those attending to bring their brollies as it takes place mostly outdoors.
Four of the art pieces were done by experienced artists in collaboration with youth artists from *Scape’s Street Art Residency programme, which runs from October 2024 to January 2025.
Among them is Tan Sri P. Ramlee, The Multi-Talented, a mural by artist Boon Bakes at Somerset Youth Park. It celebrates the titular icon of Singapore’s Malay entertainment industry and is located on the very street where a scene from his beloved 1957 black-and-white comedy Bujang Lapok (The Three Over-aged Bachelors) was filmed.
Actors engaging the audience in front of Tan Sri P. Ramlee, The Multi-Talented by Boon Bakes.ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE
Similarly, Working Hands Now and Then, a mural painted on a shutter door at 111 Somerset, pays homage to the commercial building’s past as the old PUB building by including its instantly recognisable brutalist window architecture and the old PUB logo.
The street artist behind the piece, Antz, said that he wanted the mural to reflect Somerset’s “history and culture with a modern twist”.
He was also inspired by his personal connection to the area. The Somerset area is home to one of Singapore’s first legal street art walls, where he had many of his earliest memories painting street art in the early 2000s.
The 19-year industry veteran added: “Hanging out in the area, you (see) a lot of skaters. That’s where the skateboard (in the mural) comes from.”
Additionally, he said that the lanyard in the artwork was inspired by the droves of office workers he sees in the area.
Antz took eight hours over two days to complete the art piece. He was assisted by 18-year-old artist and recent School of the Arts graduate Glenn “Goris” Ong, as part of the mentorship-based collaboration under the street art residency programme.
Artists Antz (left) and Glenn “Goris” Ong in front of their mural Working Hands Now and Then. ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE
Goris, whose first foray into street art was through the residency programme, said he was drawn to the programme because of the “raw, authentic and community-based nature” of street art.
He added: “I was interested in finding another medium to express myself.”
When asked about the programme, he said: “More than just the fundamentals of the spray can, I’ve also learnt important skills for an artist to have, like organising events and handling media interviews.”
Goris hopes that the mural he worked on will draw enthusiasm from all who see it. “(Seeing people enthusiastic about art) is the smallest step forward for our local arts scene but the most important one.”
The Somerset Threads Live Theatrical Experience runs from 7.30pm to 9pm on Jan 17, 18, 24 and 25 around the Somerset belt district.
Tickets cost $25 for young people under 35 and $35 for those above, and are available on *Scape’s website at: https://www.scape.sg/venue/greater-somerset-simulation/
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