Our first ever outdoor session this year to the Singapore River Safari a couple of weeks ago was an absolute success and a whole lot of fun. What better way to kick start the festive season and create an experience just as inclusive & enticing for the service users than the well-received ArtScience Museum located at the heart of Marina Bay! On the 22nd of December 2018, we set out on our short yet fulfilling trip to the FUTURE WORLD: Where Art Meets Science Exhibition as well as a breezy stroll through the area surrounding the Marina Bay Sands (MBS).
At a quarter past 2, we were greeted with warm hugs and hi-5's by the service users as they got down from the chartered bus at the MBS Shoppes pick-up point. With smiles stretched from ear to ear on everyone's faces, we made our way to the ArtScience Museum with excitement.
At around 2:30pm, the tour began with an immersive journey through the key narratives of the exhibition - Nature, Town , Sanctuary, Park and Space. The service users were filled with awe as they made their way interacting with the mesmerizing artworks that showcased the marrying of both art & science! Amongst the 5 narratives of the exhibition, Town was the biggest hit amongst the service users just as much as it was for the members of our team. The Town aspect was a lively and bustling cityscape where the service users got busy with the various projects. One of these projects included the "Table Where Little People Live" that encouraged the service users to place their hands or an object on the table and observe little people jumping on it. There were also different opportunities for them to play with blocks and engage in the interactive walls that were linked to the urban planning aspect of the exhibition. They were indeed enthralled by the colourful lights and different sounds especially it being a breath of fresh air from their usual activities!
"It was both an interesting and enriching session! As someone who does not usually visit museums, it was heartening to see the service users enjoy themselves when exploring the various interactive exhibits which made the trip all the more enjoyable and memorable!" -Zong Jin
To move away from the busy urban pace of Town, we made our way to the Urban Park. It included a physical activity and technology that mimicked the 'Play' aspect that the Town seemed to encapsulate. They were also able to put their artistic talents on display as they coloured on the outlines of animals and flowers with the crayons given in the exhibition. We then ended our tour at the ArtScience Museum on a note of wonder as we embarked on a short yet engaging journey through the Crystal Universe that was filled with luminous light particles.
"Initially, I was really afraid that this session wouldn't turn out as well as expected due to the Art Science Museum's reputation of an 'Instagram Worthy' feature compared to an 'Interactive Place'. However, I was proven wrong when I saw the service users having fun at the different exhibits! Ah Kim (the elderly attached to me) really enjoyed colouring and touching the colourful walls. Also, her hugs and constant "thank you" at the end really warmed my heart. Can't wait for the next session!" - Cheyenne
As soon as we were done with our tea break accompanied by delicious buns and drinks, we resumed our trip by bringing the service users along the MBS area observing the Helix Bridge, 22 metre Whirlpool, walking by the Marina Float and many more. We captured a final group picture in front of the stunningly adorned Christmas tree and just as we knew it, it was time to bid our good byes.
"I really enjoyed my time with the Metta Home service users that day. They were filled with so much enthusiasm and kept posing for pictures! They've surely brought more joy to me this holiday season" - Annabel
It was certainly a great closing to yet another fun journey with the incredible individuals of Metta Home. We hoped that they had enjoyed themselves this festive season because we sure did and we're already looking forward to the next time we get to visit them again!