Connecting with the Force and my inner self at Star Wars Identities: The Exhibition.
This exhibition was an unexpected delight! With no major new movie on the horizon, the last thing I expected was a Star Wars exhibition in Singapore. One at the ArtScience Museum too.
What’s more, this is no retail event. (You know, the sort of fair where’s there’s a couple of Stormtroopers and then a HUGE merchandise section?) Occupying the whole third floor of the museum, the exhibition is a concise but detailed look at the art concepts behind the canon movies. To befit the venue, there’s also an extended, Buzzfeed-like “quiz” to determine which side of the Force you’d end up on.
It was such great fun. Repeat: Great fun.
I might actually go again. This time, perhaps with some of my most beloved Star Wars gear with me.
Warning! Picture heavy post! Because I succumbed to the Dark Side of the Force and got really carried away.
Understanding the Characters From the Star Wars Canon Movies
In essence, Star Wars Identities: The Exhibition is divided into various rooms, each featuring a “life” theme. As in, the events that shape and define our characters, our lives, etc.
Several rooms of this Star Wars event also showcase famous characters or locations, or share the conceptualizations behind the final designs.
On the latter, did you know Master Yoda was originally intended to be some Christmas gnome-like character? It was really such a kick reading the design notes and seeing the sketches. (And knowing that in the end, these awful early concepts were trashed)
Interestingly, Boba was displayed together with the droids. I wonder what that implies!
By the way, most displays in this Singaporean exhibition are actual costumes and models from the movies. I was too geeked-out to read all the notes, but I’m quite the armor Boba’s wearing is the one that got slimed within the Sarlacc’s stomach! (In other words, not the one from the Mandalorian series)
Star Wars Ships and Planets
This section thrilled me the most, as huge Star Wars ships and planets have always been what I loved most about the franchise. The sight of all those models suspended in a hyperspace-like setting made me wanna squeal.
For some strange reason, the X-Wing and Y-Wing weren’t displayed. I’m quite sure I didn’t miss something in the ships section too.
Further on that, well, I think you would have noticed by now. Practically everything on show is from the original trilogy and the prequels. There’s nothing from the sequels, or Rogue One.
I … decline to comment on the latter. So as not to start a Dark Side debate.
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Design Your Own Star Wars Hero Quest
This was fun, even though the true objective, as I see it, was to link the exhibition to introspective questions on life, personality development, etc.
As for how it’s done, in short, visitors are issued a RFID hand tag on entry. The tag then allows you to activate interactive stations and answer questions.
Questions are mostly choices too, and all for the purpose of “customising” your own unique Star Wars character.
Star Wars Identities: The Exhibition is ongoing at the ArtScience Museum till June 13, 2021. Get your tickets at the official site here; SG Rediscover Vouchers eligible. Note that you have to pre-book a time slot when buying your tickets too.
