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CURATOR'S TOUR | FREE GUIDED TOURS | PUBLIC LECTURES

“Through hard work, faith and a little good fortune, may 1960 bring more happiness to more of us.” – Singapore Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew in his first New Year Day speech to the nation

Politics and the struggle for one’s Independence have always been the defining corner-stone of the post-WW II chapter in the Singapore Story. Before tears were shed in that inevitable moment of anguish, hope and optimism were brimming in the air in 1960. That year, according to the new Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, would be a year of consolidation as opposed to the year before which was a year of decisive change. There was certainly much to consolidate and improve upon. Compared to today, the population in 1960 stood at a sizeable 1.6 million, the result of a high crude birth rate of 37.5 per 1,000 persons and supported by a per capita gross national income of only $1,330. Calls for a better and brighter future were projected onto the people by the new government and the print media trumpeted the ideas of independence through Merger with Mother Malaya.

Celebrating a year on after 50 years of self-government, Singapore 1960 will transform the gallery into a vibrant and colourful ‘live’ show set interjected with both noteworthy and quirky news articles throughout that year. By appropriating cultural spaces familiar to Singaporeans then such as the eclectic Haw Par Villa and the neon-lit ‘Worlds’ amusement parks, over 300 artefacts will be presented in the manner of art installations.

A 100-year old Strohmenger grand piano, sexy sarong kebayas, the Aw Boon Haw jade collection (well, part of it anyway), fully sequinned Chinese opera costumes, hundreds of popular vinyl records and publications, two pairs of sweat-stained boxing gloves and a kitschy diorama; these were some of the icons that dotted post-WWII Singapore’s socio-cultural landscape. Come see how these icons reveal the emergence of a semblance of a Singapore society amid the political rumblings in the year 1960. Come watch the drama unfold.

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CURATOR'S TOUR
Why an exhibition on Singapore 1960?
THU 17 JUN 2010, THU 15 JUL 2010 & THU 19 AUG 2010 |  7:30pm - 8:30pm
By Jason Toh and Priscilla Chua, Curator (Exhibitions)

For more information on the curator's tour, click here.

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FREE GUIDED TOURS
Meeting point: Entrance of Exhibition Gallery 1, Basement
Limited to 15 participants per session on a first come, first served basis.
Estimated tour duration: 60 minutes

Note: There will be no guided tours on Museum’s open house day on 9 August 2010 and public holidays.

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PUBLIC LECTURES
Admission is free. Registration is required, please email to nhb_nm_lectures@nhb.gov.sg

Growing Up in Singapore as Singapore was Growing Up
In conjunction with the Lighter Side of History Public Lecture Series
WED 30 JUN 2010, 7:30pm | The Salon, Level 1
Speaker: Mrs Pauline Ong, Docent (Friends of the Museums, Singapore)

In Transit: Architecture in 1960s Singapore
WED 21 JUL 2010, 7:30pm | The Salon, Level 1
Speaker: Dr Lai Chee Kien, Assistant Professor, Department of Architecture, Faculty of Design and Environment, National University of Singapore

Classes, Beasts and the Lion City: Singapore film in 1960
WED 4 AUG 2010, 7:30pm | The Salon, Level 1
Speaker: Dr Timothy P. Bernard, Associate Professor, Department of History, Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences, National University of Singapore

For more information on public lectures, click here.

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Key Sponsor	Supported By
	F.C. Mehra / Eagle Films