A People’s Marine Art Assemblage: An Installation
A People’s Marine Art Assemblage is a reflection on Singapore’s relationship between progress, protection and conservation. The large-scale installation features over 800kg of shipyard junk, 300 coral-inspired origami made by the community, and 7 special trash cleaning vessels made by pre-schoolers.
The installation is initiated by contemporary dance company ARTS FISSION and conceptualised by designer/artist Joyce Ng. It draws inspiration from the kueh lapis — a well-loved layer cake familiar to people in Southeast Asia — and begs the question: “Can we have our cake and eat it too?” when it comes to nature conservation.
The installation is the finale in a series of integrative arts and marine science programmes, organised by ARTS FISSION, in collaboration with the marine conservation non-profit Our Blue Spaces, and supported by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA).
Opening day programme
The work opens on Saturday, 13 December 2025, and will include a marine conservation talk by Sam Shu Qin and an artist’s talk through words, music, and creative movement. Admission to the opening is free but registration is required at https://apeoplesmarineartassemblage.peatix.com/
Audience
Suitable for general audience: youths, adults, seniors, and families with children ages 4 and above are welcomed!
About the artist
As a non-profit company with IPC charity status and the longest incorporated contemporary dance company in Singapore since 1994, ARTS FISSION has gathered a diverse and ground-breaking dance-making track record. Under the artistic direction of Cultural Medallion Recipient Angela Liong, ARTS FISSION has evolved into a dynamic dance hybrid that is complex in concept, with a multi-disciplinary approach that often references Asian cultures in contemporary context. The dance hybrid approach also applies equal innovation to turn community outreach projects into richly human experiences.
Programme partners
Sam Shu Qin is a marine conservationist dedicated to restoring coral reefs in Southeast Asia. Her work focuses on enhancing biodiversity on artificial structures, rehabilitating degraded reefs in urban marine environments, and collaborating with coastal communities on restoration initiatives. She is also the co-founder of Our Blue Spaces, an initiative that raises awareness of Singapore’s marine biodiversity while fostering community collaboration and engagement in marine science and conservation. Through her expertise in science communication, Sam inspires diverse audiences to take an active role in marine stewardship.
Maritime & Port Authority Singapore (MPA) was established on 2 February 1996 with the mission to develop Singapore as a global hub port and international maritime centre, and to advance and safeguard Singapore’s strategic maritime interests. MPA takes on multiple roles as Singapore’s maritime and port regulator and planner, international maritime centre champion, national maritime representative, and champion of maritime digitalisation and decarbonisation efforts. MPA partners industry, research community and other agencies to enhance safety, security and environmental protection, facilitate maritime and port operations and growth, expand multi-domain capabilities, and support the cluster of maritime services and manpower development.
