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Art in malls isn't a newfangled concept. But when a mall has a dedicated arts programme, you can be sure something exciting is brewing. Art and shopping come together at ION Orchard, which opened in late July. It calls itself a magnet to over 200,000 shoppers a day; a landmark retail mall that brings shopping and art together for an eclectic union. ION Orchard, which opened in late July, aspires to live and breathe art through its structured art and design programme, ION Art. "ION Orchard aims to be different from other malls," says Soon Su Lin, CEO of Orchard Turn Developments, the development management company for the mall. "We want to offer a premium shopping experience within a highly creative and stimulating environment, adding on to the multi-sensory experience that is the creed of ION Orchard." Art for All Spanning some 5,600 sq ft, the ION Art Gallery on the fourth floor of ION Orchard will showcase works of emerging artists and designers. "Art in a mall has to be very accessible," says Tan, who specialises in multimedia design. "We're talking about bringing art to the public, so whatever we bring to ION Orchard has got to be meaningful to the shoppers. They can expect to see something new which will inspire, surprise, or intrigue." Besides permanent sculptural and media art installations, ION Art will present a calendar of art-based events and exhibitions throughout the year. This includes exhibitions on the contemporary works of established and emerging artists and designers at the ION Art gallery, a 5,600 sq ft art gallery on the fourth floor. While there is a dedicated gallery space for art-based events and exhibitions, the entire mall will also serve as an arts space. So expect to see temporary and permanent installations scattered throughout ION Orchard. Look Out ForSignature ION Graphics Singaporean artist Kumari Nahappan's larger-than-life nutmeg sculpture harks back to the days when Orchard Road was a nutmeg plantation Artist photo courtesy of Sabine Kreuzer  Candy-coloured sculptures by Swiss artist Kurt Metzler give an eye-catching welcome to shoppers Based on the theme of nature, a random selection of 50 brightly coloured animations will be cast on the mall's impressive media facade daily, beginning 1 August on the hour, from 8 pm to 11 pm. In A Nutshell It's for posers: 'Nutmeg & Mace', the giant nutmeg signature sculpture marking the corner of Paterson and Orchard roads is a must-see pit stop. Singapore artist Kumari Nahappan was commissioned to create this whimsical piece, which harks back to the days when Orchard Road was a nutmeg plantation. Urban People You won't miss the brightly-coloured human figurines on the steps of the ION Orchard. Named "Urban People", these larger-than-life aluminium figurines were created by Swiss sculptor Kurt Laurenz Metzler for a theatrical effect. Commissioned by ION Orchard and created in collaboration with Galerie Belvedere, this sculpture is his first public art installation in Singapore and in Asia. "I believe art should be accessible to the public and that sculptures shouldn't be stored in a museum - they should spill onto streets," said Metzler, who was in Singapore recently for the launch of his art work at ION Orchard. The sculptor says his inspiration was "everyday people, people going about their daily business" and he hopes that they would stimulate and engage passersby to reflect on themselves. Digital Waterfall London art and design firm Troika made waves in 2008 with its digital sculpture Cloud. Suspended above ground at Heathrow Airport Terminal 5, the sculpture is covered with thousands of "flip-dots" controlled by computer to create abstract patterns. Troika has employed the same technique to create a digital waterfall for ION Orchard. Come down for a closer look at how the "flip-dots" work magic to create animated cascades from mid-October. Sino Signs Eight creative heads from China discuss the idea of responsible living in an urban city, using digital art. Expect head-turning motion graphics cast upon the mall's media facade. Related Articles Art Goes UndergroundA 90-metre passage way, leading to Singapore's iconic retail mall ION Orchard, is a digital art canvas that aims to make a routine subway ride less ordinary. The soft silhouette of a Great White lurks in the hazy blue waters, on the lookout for its prey. Seaweeds dance lazily, as fishes hurry by. A giant sea turtle peeks out from the seabed.  Electrifying ION OpensSingapore's most iconic retail landmark opens in July, promising to be D-destination for both tourists and locals. You can't miss it. The shimmering skin of ION Orchard makes a big statement when it catches the sunlight. By nightfall, the mall's allure heightens as its undulating glass facade transforms into a living canvas.  Living in Electric DreamsBringing art to the masses on a massive digital canvas at ION Orchard. If you happened to be in Singapore over the last few weeks and used the ION Orchard MRT exit you may have noticed a set of colourful blocks combining to form various creations in lights and wondered what these playful and luminous images were all about.  It's About TimeFor those who appreciate the art of precision watchmaking, July will be the opening of Swiss brand IWC Schaffhausen's flagship boutique at Singapore's iconic ION Orchard mall. It is said that Time is a dressmaker specialising in alteration. And it is certainly time for a change in the Asian experience of acquiring luxury timepieces.  Way of WatamiIt has a mission to collect the most number of "arigatos" in the world. Japanese cuisine has seen itself through a long and colourful past, to emerge as an immensely popular and unique modern-day choice
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