Norway: separated from us by a 13-hour flight, home to scenic hiking trails, fishing trails and dog sledging. Of course, it is also the prime location for the iconic Northern lights, known also as the Aurora Borealis, during the winter.
Switzerland artist Dan Acher is bringing Borealis to our very own backyard at Gardens by the Bay in a mesmerising display of lights, cloud particles and art technology.
What is Borealis at Gardens by the Bay?
Borealis is an outdoor light installation that projects stunning blends of colour using machines and digital art technology.
Thirty lasers and cloud machines are mounted across the tree trunks of the tall Supertrees we know and love, making it a vessel to project the Northern Lights.
As we take a walk around Supertree Grove and look up, shades of green and blue paint the night sky beautifully, transporting us straight to the Northern Hemisphere.
Artist Dan Acher went all out with his latest installation, even throwing in machines that regulate the wind, humidity and temperature to enhance the viewing experience.
No need to lug around those bulky winter jackets and boots this time – just sit back, relax and enjoy the climate-controlled art experience.
No experience is complete without music. French composer Guillaume Debois created an atmospheric soundtrack that plunges us deep into the realm of wonder and beauty.
You can catch a glimpse of the place from the exclusive preview attended by the Straits Times:
When Does It Start?
If you’re already excited and boarding the MRT to Gardens by the Bay, hold your horses.
The light show doesn’t start till 5 May 2024, on Sunday.
From Sunday, 5 May 2024, the show is expected to run for only 30 minutes. But it’s not happening every day.
Here are the show timings:
- Every Monday: 8:00pm to 8:30pm
- Every Saturday and Sunday: 9:00pm to 9:30pm
The best part? It’s free.
That’s right, admission to Borealis is free, so expect large crowds at the stipulated time. Nobody wants to miss that precious window.
We suggest heading down early to the Supertree Grove, which is the location of the show, to chope a spot.
Did you know that Singapore wasn’t the first to enjoy Borealis? The light show has travelled far – 40 cities in Europe, Australia, the United States and Asia.
In partnership with Tote Board, a statutory board of Singapore’s Ministry of Finance, the show is part of the board’s desire to embrace innovation and improve lives.
This experience is perfect for those who have always wanted to see the Northern Lights. According to experts, between January and October of 2024, we can expect stronger activities from the sun.
This is because 2024 is the peak in the sun’s approximately 11-year cycle and that means we might expect to see the Northern Lights further south and not necessarily only Norway, Iceland and Finland, among others.