As I took this walk, I quickly realised this wasn't just an art trail, it was also a journey through the evolution of Singapore's CBD.
Long before today's skyline of glass and steel, this district was Singapore's gateway for maritime trade. The civic buildings of the 1950s and 1960s reflected the nation's early years of independence and industrialisation, before the rapid rise of skyscrapers in the 1970s and 1980s expanded the business district towards Tanjong Pagar. Today, the CBD continues to evolve once again, with mixed-use developments reshaping it into a place where people don't just work, but also live, dine and gather.
Against this ever-changing backdrop, Momentary Pulses explores the many layers of history, architecture and everyday life that shape the district. Each artwork responds to its surroundings, inviting us to notice the rhythms we often overlook, from the flow of commuters and lunchtime conversations to the memories quietly embedded within the city's streets.
By the end of the walk, I realised the CBD isn't somewhere I need to rush through anymore. Sure, the office crowd is still there, but instead of trying to dodge everyone, I found myself appreciating the little details I'd never noticed before. It wasn't just a collection of office towers anymore, but a place where history, art and everyday life come together in the most unexpected ways.
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Installation view of Yang Jie’s ‘Clock of the Everyday’ (2026) at Raffles Place MRT Exit E as part of ‘Momentary Pulses’.
(Image Credit: Singapore Art Museum) |
Artwork Highlights
Clock of the Everyday by Yang Jie
Location: Raffles Place MRT Exit E
Our first stop brought us to what looked, at first glance, like an unusual mechanical clock. Unlike a traditional clocktower that marks time with bells, Clock of the Everyday tells time through familiar objects and sounds from everyday Singaporean life.
Inspired by iconic mechanical clocks such as Lau Pa Sat's clocktower, Germany's Rathaus Glockenspiel and the former Seiko Floral Clock that once stood at Raffles Place Park, the kinetic sculpture brings together found objects, motors and sound components in a whimsical orchestra.
As the sculpture comes alive, you'll notice echoes of the city's daily rhythm. A street-sweeping broom, the clink of morning coffee, the bustle of lunchtime and the chatter of afternoon tea all become part of its performance. Vintage objects woven into the work also evoke memories of Singapore's past, while its deliberately imperfect rhythm reminds us that everyday life is never quite as predictable as the ticking of a clock.
One of my favourite details? It doesn't chime every hour like a conventional clocktower. Instead, it springs to life only at selected times throughout the day, with different activation schedules on weekdays and weekends. During the preview, we were told there's 7.45am, 12pm and 4pm performances, but there are a few more hidden "showtimes" waiting to be discovered.
Let's see if you can stumble upon one of its surprise performances while exploring the trail...
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| Artists Teow Yue Han & Federico Ruberto with their artwork - thusspoke.baby |
thusspoke.baby by Teow Yue Han & Federico Ruberto
Location: OUE Link
One of the most fascinating works on the trail isn't physical at all!
Displayed on a transparent LED screen, thusspoke.baby exists entirely in the digital realm.
Imagine meeting a digital being that's constantly learning. Throughout the day, it absorbs real-time information including the weather, news and even global social media conversations. It responds through evolving text, animated gestures and reflective monologues, gradually developing its own digital identity with every passing moment.
The title references philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche's Thus Spoke Zarathustra, exploring ideas of consciousness and language, while the ".baby" domain suggests an identity that is constantly evolving, particularly in an age increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence and large language models.
Standing in the heart of one of Singapore's busiest business districts, watching this digital consciousness quietly "grow" felt strangely fitting. Whether you're out for a run along the Singapore River, taking a short break in the shade, grabbing lunch nearby or enjoying a meal at The Fullerton Hotel, you may find yourself pausing in front of this ever-changing digital being. Because it evolves every day, no two encounters are exactly the same, and who knows, it might just spark an unexpected conversation about technology, identity and what it means to be "alive" in the digital age.
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| Artist Catherine Hu with her artwork - A Fountain When It Rains |
A Fountain When It Rains by Catherine Hu
Location: One Raffles Quay (North Tower)
So we have void decks under our HDBs, places where neighbours gather, chat and take a break. Why can't we have something similar in the CBD?
That was one of my first thoughts when I came across A Fountain When It Rains.
Standing beneath the towering office buildings, the two bird bath-like sculptures made from salvaged ceramic tiles almost felt as though they had always belonged there. The familiar tiles instantly reminded me of the public seating and furnishings commonly found in older HDB void decks, creating an unexpected sense of familiarity within Singapore's concrete jungle.
The work explores the role fountains have traditionally played in public spaces. Beyond simply being decorative, they create places for people to gather, soften the surrounding noise and even contribute to feng shui.
But Catherine Hu deliberately removes the one element that defines a fountain.
Water.
Instead, the sculptures only become functioning fountains when it rains.
Tiny birds perched atop each structure also double as sundials, although they're rendered almost useless beneath the shadows cast by the surrounding skyscrapers. It's a subtle yet beautiful reminder that even in one of Singapore's busiest business districts, nature still finds its place among the glass and concrete.
The only thing I didn't get to experience during the media preview was seeing the sculptures in the rain. I can only imagine how differently they transform when water begins to flow. Looks like I'll be keeping an eye on the weather forecast and making another trip back just to catch the fountain in its truest form.
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| Sweet Water on street level |
Sweet Water by Finbarr Fallon
Location: Shenton House
Our next stop brought us to what I would call one of the CBD's forgotten landmarks, Shenton House. While newer skyscrapers have transformed the surrounding skyline, this iconic brutalist building still stands as one of the last reminders of Singapore's architectural ambitions in the 1970s, before its eventual redevelopment.
Responding to the building's distinctive geometric faรงade and mosaic crown, Sweet Water transforms these architectural elements into a series of giant pineapple sculptures.
The textured concrete surfaces pay homage to the raw aesthetic of brutalist architecture, while the pineapple, or ong lai in Hokkien, celebrates one of Singapore's most recognisable symbols of prosperity.
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| Sweet Water at rooftop carpark of Shenton House |
Interestingly, pineapples have a much longer connection to the CBD than I ever realised. Historical records dating back to 1861 mention pineapple slices being sold around Raffles Place for just one cent. Meanwhile, the artwork's title, Sweet Water, references a newspaper headline from the 1970s celebrating the unexpected discovery of fresh water during the early redevelopment of Shenton Way.
Together, these historical references celebrate both Singapore's architectural heritage and the evolving stories that continue to shape the city.
While most visitors will probably spot the pineapples nestled among the planters at street level, don't stop there. Head up to the rooftop car park, where you'll find a bigger one alongside one of my favourite panoramic views of the CBD skyline. If you can, visit around sunset as it's the perfect opportunity to appreciate both the artwork and one of Singapore's increasingly rare examples of brutalist architecture before Shenton House begins its next chapter.
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| Artist Zul Mahmod with his artwork - LOOP |
LOOP – The Resonance of Motion by Zul Mahmod
Location: Asia Square Tower 1
If there's one artwork that perfectly captures the invisible energy of the CBD, it's LOOP.
Its polished stainless-steel surface reflects office workers, the surrounding architecture and the changing daylight throughout the day. But it does far more than simply mirror its surroundings. Activated by vibrations, the sculpture transforms movement into sound, with its rhythmic clattering echoing the hurried footsteps of commuters, passing traffic and the constant flow of people moving through the business district. Together, they form an evolving soundscape that captures the unseen forces driving the city.
Rather than focusing on what we can see, LOOP gives form to everything we normally can't hear or touch: the flow of information, financial transactions, split-second decisions and the endless movement that powers Singapore's commercial heart. Like the city itself, the sculpture is never truly still. Every passer-by subtly changes the experience, making each moment unique.
What I also love is how naturally it blends into the public space. It's the kind of artwork you could pause beside while waiting for a Grab, meeting a friend for lunch or simply taking a breather between appointments. Its structure makes for a striking photo backdrop, reflecting both the city around it and the people passing through. In many ways, that's exactly what LOOP is about, not just observing the rhythm of the CBD, but quietly becoming part of it.
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Illustrated map of artwork locations for ‘Momentary Pulses: Art in the Central Business District’. (Image Credit: Singapore Art Museum) |
More Artworks Are Still to Come
The trail isn't complete just yet.
Later in 2026, two additional commissions will expand the experience.
Neural Panoptic Black by Immanuel Koh reimagines surveillance and visibility through an architectural sculpture inspired by Jeremy Bentham's Panopticon. Visitors are invited to step inside the structure and experience the CBD from entirely new perspectives, questioning who is observing and who is being observed.
Meanwhile, Still Afloat by Song-Ming Ang will conclude the trail at Tanjong Pagar Distripark, imagining Singapore sixty years into the future through an AI-generated music video and storyboard that explores climate, resilience and the city's evolving identity.
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| (Image Credit: Singapore Art Museum) |
Don't Miss These Upcoming Experiences
One thing I really appreciate about Momentary Pulses is that the experience doesn't end with the artworks themselves. Throughout the exhibition, the public art trail is brought to life through Moving Encounters, a series of programmes that invite visitors to experience the CBD in entirely different ways.
Rather than simply viewing the artworks, you'll have the opportunity to engage with the city through three different experiences:
- Bodies in Motion brings performance and movement into the pulse of the CBD, reimagining how our bodies interact with public spaces and the everyday flow of the city.
- Exploratory Walks uncover the hidden histories, architecture and layered stories behind familiar streets, offering fresh perspectives on the ever-evolving business district.
- In Conversation With features artists and performers sharing the inspiration, creative process and ideas behind their works, allowing visitors to gain a deeper appreciation of the exhibition beyond what meets the eye.
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| (Image Credit: Jerome Lim) |
Explore the CBD with a Heritage Expert
If you're curious about the stories behind the streets and buildings, I'd highly recommend joining Tides of the City: Navigating the CBD with Jerome Lim.
Led by retired naval architect and heritage enthusiast Jerome Lim, the guided walk explores how art, architecture and history intersect throughout the district, revealing hidden stories that many of us walk past every day. If you've ever enjoyed his books Uncommon Ground or Secret Singapore, you'll know you're in good hands. Happening on 11 and 18 July 2026, click on the link above to get your tickets.
See the Art Trail Come Alive
Although I caught a preview of Dis.connected Body by Sigma Contemporary Dance during the media preview, the scheduled public performances have already concluded by the time I'm publishing this post. Still, it gave me a glimpse of how fascinating these live interventions can be, quietly unfolding among unsuspecting office workers and passers-by as part of everyday city life.
If you're planning a visit, I'd definitely keep an eye out for the remaining movement programmes, including Between Passing and Magic Hour Walk and Dance, where performers respond to the city's architecture and the changing rhythms between the workday and evening.
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| (Image Credit: Kien Faye) |
Between Passing by Kien Faye
15 & 19 July 2026 (5PM – 7PM)
17 July 2026 (6PM – 8PM)
Starting Point: Raffles Place MRT Station Exit E
If you've ever wondered what happens when dance meets the everyday rhythm of the CBD, Between Passing is one to look out for.
Created by Malaysian movement artist Kien Faye, this site-responsive performance unfolds during the transition from the workday to the evening, blending seamlessly into the after-work rush. Rather than taking place on a stage, the performers move alongside commuters, responding instinctively to the people, architecture and changing atmosphere around them.
Every movement is improvised, making each performance unique. Whether you choose to pause and watch or simply encounter it while making your way through the CBD, the performance encourages us to reflect on how we move through shared public spaces and the fleeting interactions that happen every day.
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| (Image Credit: Kien Faye) |
Magic Hour Walk and Dance with Kien Faye
16 July 2026 (6PM – 7PM)
18 July 2026 (6.30PM – 7.30PM)
Various locations in the Central Business District
Following its debut in Kuala Lumpur, Magic Hour Walk and Dance makes its Singapore premiere, inviting participants to experience the CBD during the magical transition between day and night.
Led by Kien Faye, this guided movement experience encourages participants to interact with the city's architecture in unexpected ways. Instead of simply walking through the CBD, you'll be invited to respond to its lines, shapes and spaces through movement and improvisation, discovering how the built environment can influence the way we move, observe and connect with our surroundings.
Even if you're not taking part, you'll likely come across the group as they journey through the district. Much like the artworks themselves, the performance quietly becomes part of the city's everyday rhythm, inviting curious onlookers to stop, watch and perhaps see the CBD from a different perspective.
Join the Stamp Rally
Here's something fun if you're planning to complete the trail.
Visitors can pick up an exclusive Momentary Pulses passport from the CHARLES & KEITH Marina Bay Sands store and collect stamps from five artwork locations across the CBD. Complete the trail and you'll be able to redeem a limited-edition button pin featuring the artwork-inspired stamp designs. It's a nice little keepsake and another reason to explore every stop instead of rushing through the route.
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| (Image Credit: Singapore Art Museum) |
More Than Just Public Art
What I appreciated most about Momentary Pulses is that it doesn't demand your full attention.
You don't need to spend hours studying every artwork or understanding every artistic reference. Instead, it gently encourages you to slow your pace, to notice the buildings you've walked past for years, to hear sounds you've been tuning out or to reflect on how a district built for efficiency can still hold moments of wonder, nostalgia and imagination.
So, the next time you're rushing through Raffles Place or Shenton Way, perhaps take a slightly different route. You might just discover that the city has been quietly telling stories all along.
Momentary Pulses: Art in the Central Business District
๐ Various locations across Singapore’s CBD
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Nearest MRT: Raffles Place, Shenton Way, Tanjong Pagar
⏰ Estimated Walking Time: 1.5 - 2 hours
๐ Till 31 December 2027
๐ซ Free
