Craft The City

Craft the City was POPIN’s community craft project for 2015, where public craft gatherings and an Open Call were held to get participants to craft buildings and other city structures. Taken together, Craft the City explores how different people interpret the idea of a city and resulted in a collective city made up of multiple unique pieces handcrafted by many individuals.

The final miniature cityscape was exhibited at Library@Orchard from 1st December 2015 till 15th January 2016.

Craft the City was a project I co-managed with Nathania Zaini and executed together with the rest of the POPIN team. The project was funded by Singapore's National Arts Council.

Final Craft the City exhibit

Participants were given minimal instructions and contributions could be inspired by real places or memories. They could also be completely imaginary or a creative take of what participants hoped to see in the city. The contributions were made by people from all walks of lives, including children, parents, creatives, locals and tourists.

At craft gatherings, the public was invited to make building blocks using various craft techniques such as painting on wooden blocks, collage and assemblage using recycled materials. These craft gatherings were held at Market of Artists and Designers (MAAD), Singapore Maker Faire, POPIN Craft Talk and library@orchard’s 1st anniversary celebrations.

MAAD craft gathering at the Red Dot Design Museum

Craft gathering at Singapore Maker Faire organised by Singapore Science Centre

Craft gathering participants' art pieces

The Open Call invited visual artists, crafters and makers to submit their handmade pieces to the cityscape. With only size as a guideline, contributors were given free rein on the choice of materials and the subjects they wished to create.