For the National Gallery Singapore first anniversary celebration, Collective Paper Aesthetics design a 5m-tall installation made of recycled cardboard. The work is reinterpretation of Malaysian artist Latiff Mohidin’s oil painting, Pagodas II. Elements from the original painting fused into design made by Noa Haim earlier this year for NSTM, Kaohsiung.

The 5m-tall structure composed from 84 cardboard robots. The Robot’s eyes and decorated finial are echoing the key artwork from the intimate UOB Southeast Asia Gallery in the sixth floor to the gigantic public entrance space. The robot positioned to be visible from both street level entrances, top bridges and the lower foyer. To enhance the celebration atmosphere, red paper lanterns attached to the cardboard structure.

In Asian culture, the paper lanterns are often associated with festivals, while the red colour is a symbol for good fortune and joy. A total number of 132 lanterns are populating the cardboard structure. The Pagodas robot is one of 10 art installations located all around the museum to celebrate its first anniversary.

Each artwork is reinterpretation of one of the 10 key artworks in the museum collection. PAGODAS II (1964) by Latiff Mohidin is part of the Pago-Pago series, which is an abstract representation of the artist’s childhood landscape. The pagodas robot will greet the visitors in the National Gallery Singapore until January 2nd.

Design: Collective Paper Aesthetics
Photography: Amirul Asyraf