Walking through the sun-drenched corridors of New Bahru on a humid Tuesday morning, one is struck by the deliberate collision of eras. The former Nan Chiau High School campus on Kim Yam Road has been scrubbed of its chalk dust, replaced by the scent of roasted Orizaba beans and the tactile lure of independent boutiques. Yet, the School Hall remains the site’s most evocative vessel—a high-ceilinged cathedral of mid-century Modernism. It is here that the Tanoto Art Foundation (TAF) has staged its inaugural major group exhibition, Rituals of Perception, a show that demands a radical deceleration from the breakneck speed of the Singaporean metropolis.
In an age defined by digital acceleration and the "spectacle" of blockbuster art fairs, 'Rituals of Perception' offers a counter-narrative. Curated by Xiaoyu Weng, TAF’s Artistic Director, the exhibition gathers works from the Tanoto Family Collection alongside new commissions to explore the "intimate dialogues between body and matter." For the discerning visitor, the real value lies not just in the blue-chip names on the wall, but in the invitation to re-engage with the physical world through a lens of contemplative resistance.
The Transformation of Kim Yam Road: From Pedagogy to Perception
The choice of venue is no accident. New Bahru, a creative cluster spearheaded by The Lo & Behold Group, represents a pivotal moment in Singapore’s urban redevelopment. Rather than the clinical demolition-and-rebuild model, this project preserves the 1969 Brutalist architecture designed by James Ferrie and Partners.
"The School Hall was always meant to be the heart of the community," notes a local architect frequenting the space. "By turning it into a gallery, the foundation is honouring that history of gathering and enlightenment."
The Architectural Ethos
The hall itself is a masterclass in Tropical Modernism. Its iconic breezeblocks, arched entrances, and vacuous staircases provide a rhythmic backdrop to the contemporary art within. In the context of 'Rituals of Perception', the building functions as a "material memory," echoing the exhibition’s theme that materials—be they cement, fibre, or paper—are vessels of ancestral and societal histories.
A New Cultural Anchor in River Valley
Situated in the heart of River Valley, New Bahru has quickly become a magnet for Singapore’s creative class. The presence of the Tanoto Art Foundation elevates the site from a mere lifestyle destination to a serious cultural node. This is a strategic move for Real Value SG readers: it signifies a shift in how private wealth in the region is being deployed—moving beyond private consumption toward public intellectual engagement.
Decoding 'Rituals of Perception': A Philosophy of Slowness
At the core of the exhibition is the concept of presentiment—an intuitive awareness that precedes rational thought. Drawing on the ideas of philosopher Byung-Chul Han, the curation challenges our contemporary compulsion to perform and produce.
The Art of Resistance
In a city-state that prides itself on efficiency, "slowness" is perhaps the ultimate luxury. The artists featured in this show employ iterative, labour-intensive processes:
Kneading and Casting: Transforming raw earth into symbolic forms.
Stitching and Weaving: A rhythmic meditation on time and domesticity.
Layering and Folding: Building depth through physical repetition.
These "rituals" are presented as acts of reclamation. They ask the viewer to inhabit a duration rather than simply move through it. This is the Real Value of the show—it provides a rare space in the Singapore CBD for genuine cognitive rest and sensory re-attunement.
The Tanoto Art Foundation: A Philanthropic Shift
The Tanoto Art Foundation, established by Sukanto Tanoto and Tinah Bingei Tanoto, has long been a quiet powerhouse in the regional art scene. However, 'Rituals of Perception' marks a significant pivot toward public institutional-level curation.
Bridging the Global South
Under the leadership of Xiaoyu Weng, formerly of the Guggenheim and the Art Gallery of Ontario, TAF is positioning itself as a bridge between Southeast Asia, South America, and other global hubs. The exhibition features a diverse roster of 23 international artists, many of whom are millennials, reflecting a forward-looking vision of what a private foundation can contribute to the public discourse.
Highlights from the Tanoto Family Collection
The exhibition is a rare opportunity to see works from the family's private holdings in dialogue with new commissions. This juxtaposition highlights the foundation's commitment to "long-term looking"—collecting not just for investment, but to preserve the cultural narratives of the region.
Sensory Highlights: Artists to Watch
Navigating the exhibition requires a shift in one's sensory apparatus. The following artists serve as essential touchpoints for understanding the show’s ethos:
1. Lotus L. Kang: Materials that Remember
Kang’s work often involves large sheets of unprocessed photographic film. These "skins" are sensitive to light and the environment, changing over time. In the School Hall, they hang like translucent membranes, capturing the atmospheric conditions of the space.
Value Proposition: A lesson in impermanence and the beauty of the "unfixed" image.
2. Sriwhana Spong: The Body as Instrument
The Indonesian-New Zealander artist presented a premiere performance during the opening week. Her work explores the relationship between the body, sound, and space, often using site-specific materials to create an "embodied archive."
Value Proposition: Challenging the boundaries between the spectator and the art.
3. Anicka Yi: The Olfactory and the Organic
Known for her work with scents and biological materials, Yi’s inclusion brings a multi-sensory dimension to the show. Her practice questions the "dehumanised sense of time" by forcing us to engage with the visceral and the decaying.
Featured Artists at a Glance
| Artist | Medium | Focus |
| Trisha Baga | Multimedia/Ceramics | Digital glitches vs. physical matter |
| Heidi Lau | Ceramic Sculpture | Mythology and the architectural ruin |
| Suki Seokyeong Kang | Installation/Painting | Rhythmic structures and spatial balance |
| Yin Xiuzhen | Textiles/Recycled Materials | Memory and the collective body |
The "Real Value" Experience: Integrating Art into the Everyday
One cannot discuss an exhibition at New Bahru without mentioning the surrounding ecosystem. The "Real Value" of visiting 'Rituals of Perception' is the holistic experience it offers.
A Morning Ritual
Start your visit at Common Man Coffee Roasters on the ground floor for a precisely brewed flat white ($7 SGD). The walk up the cascading steps of the old science labs prepares the mind for the "slowness" of the gallery.
After-Art Reflection
Following the exhibition, a stroll through the Tiong Bahru or Kim Yam Road neighbourhood reveals how the "rituals" observed in the art are reflected in the heritage shophouses and local markets. The exhibition doesn't end at the hall's doors; it informs how you perceive the city outside.
"The true success of the show," says Xiaoyu Weng, "is when a visitor walks out and notices the texture of the pavement or the weight of the humidity with a new clarity."
Why This Matters for Singapore Art Week 2026
Singapore Art Week (SAW) has matured into the region's pinnacle visual arts season. While the commercial weight of ART SG at Marina Bay Sands provides the industry’s engine, shows like 'Rituals of Perception' provide its soul.
As the government continues to reimagine vacant state properties through the Singapore Land Authority (SLA), the success of New Bahru and the Tanoto Foundation’s residency suggests a future where heritage, commerce, and high art coexist seamlessly. For the global traveller or the local resident, this exhibition is a testament to Singapore’s evolving identity as a sophisticated cultural capital.
Practical Information for Visitors
Location: New Bahru School Hall, 46 Kim Yam Road, School Block, #02-02, Singapore 239351.
Dates: 21 January – 1 March 2026.
Hours: Daily, 11 AM – 7 PM (Saturdays until 9 PM).
Admission: Free.
Getting There: The nearest MRT station is Fort Canning (Downtown Line). A 10-minute walk through the leafier parts of River Valley is highly recommended to set the mood.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the Tanoto Art Foundation's 'Rituals of Perception' exhibition?
The exhibition is the Tanoto Art Foundation's inaugural major group show, curated by Artistic Director Xiaoyu Weng. It signifies the foundation's shift toward public cultural leadership, featuring 23 international artists whose work focuses on the tactile, the contemplative, and a rejection of digital-age speed.
Where is 'Rituals of Perception' held and what is the venue's history?
The exhibition is held in the School Hall of New Bahru at 46 Kim Yam Road. The site is the former campus of Nan Chiau High School, a 1960s Brutalist heritage building that has been repurposed as a creative and lifestyle cluster by The Lo & Behold Group.
Is there an admission fee for the exhibition at New Bahru?
No, admission to 'Rituals of Perception' by the Tanoto Art Foundation is free for the public. The exhibition runs daily from 11 AM to 7 PM (with extended hours on Saturdays) as part of the broader Singapore Art Week 2026 programming.
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