Malls the New Art Gallery

Singapore appears to be re-defining the common shopping mall. Orchard Central, the region’s new shopping mall, is turning heads. Observers say it is like walking into a contemporary art gallery.

Far East Organization, the developer of the mall, has spent over $9 million to commission modern creations by established artists such as Singaporean Matthew Ngui, Australian Gary Carsley and Japanese Yayoi Kusama. Art works from these artists and more are on display throughout the entire mall.

These pieces of art also make Orchard Central’s collection the largest permanent public art commission by a developer for a single property in Singapore.

Something to chew on. It makes one consider why other malls have not caught on yet. Why is the typical aesthetics of a shopping mall designed limited to what shoppers can see peering into store windows? Sure, there is the odd water fountain or similar attraction, but it seems an art exhibition is an idea long overdue.