The Art of Travel

The latest issue of The Art of Travel – Issue 8 – is for the first time incorporated in print and accessible online in Asian Journeys Magazine:

Go here to see and read the complete issue of Asian Journeys:

https://asianjourneys.com.sg/eMagazine/singapore/2020-12-01/page-1

You’ll find ten pages devoted to The Art of Travel. Lots of stories and images – including responses to an informal travel survey of 17 friends and family from far and wide.

There’s also a welcome feature by Ranjani Rao, reflecting on her travels, notably a visit to Ladakh in India.   

Here’s the latest issue of The Art of Travel Issue 7

29 September

The Art of Travel Issue 7 29 September 2020 Here’s a glimpse only of what’s inside Travellers’ Tales: Sunset Cruise off Sentosa Island with the Royal Albatross. Critically acclaimed as Singapore’s “Most Romantic Dining” experience. It’s not sunset time for Singapore’s resilient tourist industry. Read what Clara Lock had to say in the Straits Times about how we are finally cruising into tourism. Responsibly, of course. This issue of The Art of Travel – after six month’s “voluntary hibernation” – is back with news, views and events, not only what’s happening in Singapore, but what we know you’ll love to hear from the world of art, crafts, books, films, culture and travel. There’s more Travellers’ Tales, so read on for all you’re worth!

It’s Curtains – or – Curtain Calls?

We gave up. For a while. We’ve tried so hard to keep going. Telling everyone that the show much go on. But everything has come to a grinding halt. No art exhibitions No concerts. No plays. No musicals. No book launches. Not even a book shop or library to visit. Word is out. There’s music in the air. And there are books to read. There are artists and writers to meet or at least communicate with. We’re back after a 6 month’s voluntary hibernation. Never isolated. Never short for words. – Ken Hickson

The Art of Travel issue 6: February 2020 https://conta.cc/2HSHDcR

Issue Six is full of news, events, books and more. The Show Must Go On!

Here’s the Christmas issue – 23 December 2019 – of The Art of Travel

Issue Five

News events, reviews, attractions, past, present and future.

Downton Abbey, the movie

Singapore Art Week

Exhibitions

Musicals – Sweeney Todd, Cats and more

Here’s the October 2019 issue of The Art of Travel

Issue Four

The Art of Travel

Words without pictures: All 36 items/articles.

18 October 2019

The Art of Travel The Global Travel News Magazine with TREADability: Travel Responsibly for the Environment, Art & Dreams

Issue Number Four: 18 October 2019

Incorporating The Avenue for Creative Arts

“Tread softy because you tread on my dreams” (W.B.Yeats 1899)

1. A journey to the end?

What Thomas Cook started in England in 1841 was an industry which will continue to flourish, even if the company name goes by the same route as PanAm and Kodak. Pictured is an advert for Thomas Cook’s first package train journey from the company’s archives. Read what Chris Leadbeater had to say in The Telegraph: “The two words have become synonymous with the modern concept of package travel, but they come with plenty of heritage. The company can trace its origins back 178 years, when the very first tour was organised by a Leicestershire printer who could not have envisaged that his simple scheme would become a colossal company.” Bad news that the company cannot be saved – yet – but at least all of its 555 travel agency offices in the UK have been taken over by Hays.

2. Travellers’ Tales: For Art’s Sake

City Hall: If Walls Could Talk & Other stories

Singapore’s City Hall, the former Municipal Building, has a long and colourful history. Completed in 1929, the building was constructed to house the Municipal Council and its various departments. It was later occupied by Japanese authorities during World War II, as well as government and ministry offices post-independence. Today, City Hall forms one wing of National Gallery Singapore. “If Walls Could Talk” is an immersive experience that invites you to explore the rich stories of City Hall, spanning Singapore’s transformation from colony to city-state.

3. Sundaram Tagore Gallery at Gillman Barracks, Singapore gets us back time and time again. This time for American/British photographer Karen Knorr, who presents a specially curated selection of images that explore ideas of migration and multiculturalism. Travellers Tales in art, of course! Born in Frankfurt and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Knorr finished her education in Paris before settling in London, where she currently resides. This exhibition runs until 16 November.

4. Meanwhile, when in New York, travellers with art on their mind should definitely visit Sundaram Tagore in Chelsea. Golnaz Fathi, renowned for her abstract paintings rooted in the rich traditions of Persian calligraphy, brings new, vibrantly colourful works to the New York gallery. The Iranian-born artist’s work is currently on view at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in The Decorated Word: Writing and Picturing in Islamic Calligraphy. The Chelsea showing by well-travelled Faithi is on from 14 November until 14 December.

5. Canberra experiences the Contemporary Worlds of Indonesia Indonesia comes in for artistic and cultural attention at the The National Gallery of Australia (NGA) this month. The last chance to experience the immersive exhibition “Contemporary Worlds: Indonesia” is on 25 October. The next day there’s a live vocal performance of action and reaction that transforms language, evoking universal forms of human communication. It’s all happening in Canberra at the Commonwealth of Australia’s national cultural institution for the visual arts.

6. The French Voilah Festival in Singapore is a celebration of all things French, of course. One of them is the “No Taste for Bad Taste” exhibition, which features 40 design masterpieces from renowned French designers Philippe Starck and Jean-Paul Gaultier at the National Design Centre. Until 17 November. Read more Probably too late to get to Paris to see the work of Desiree Tham in the Asia Now 2019 exhibition at 9 Avenue Hoche (closes 20 October), but closer to home at the Royal Plaza on Scotts, Intersections Galleryis presenting a distinctive solo show by Yen Chua “Myth and Magic” (pictured above). It’s on until 18 December.

7. Riding on Art: Fratini’s Doorway to Happiness

On 9 November 2019, the doors of Fratini La Trattoria, a cosy Italian restaurant ensconced at 10 Greenwood Avenue, Hillcrest, Bukit Timah, Singapore will be opened from 11 am to 3 pm for an exclusive art exhibition and sale of over 50 paintings by Gabriel Fratini. 50% of the proceeds of sales will go to Cycling Without Age Singapore, a start-up charity that aims to beat social isolation for seniors by giving them free trishaw rides. “Doorway to Happiness” (pictured with Gabriel Fratini) is one painting that will be auctioned with 100% of the proceeds going to CWA Singapore.

A Place in Time: North, South, East & West

8. Well-travelled English lady Janice Rushworth, normally resident in Brisbane, Australia, has ventured into the heart of Central and South America of late, experiencing monumental sites like Machu Picchu in Peru.

9. Our Polish friends Darek and Dorota – normally engrossed in all things medical – came across this remarkable sphere at the Berkeley Library, Trinity College, in Dublin, Ireland on a recent visit. It’s the work of Italian sculptor Arnaldo Pomodoro, and officially called ‘Sfera con Sfera’, but known to locals as Pomodoro’s Sphere.

10. Listening for the bells of the glorious Basilica di Santa Croce, the principal Franciscan church Florence, Italy or just keeping out the travel noise around this treasured tourist attraction? Renee Chew, Travel Business Analyst from Singapore enjoys a sample of the sights and sounds of Italy.

11. Another photographic gem from pilot Richard Foltin on coming into land at Ho Chi Minh CityAirport, Vietnam. You can see the Saigon River, which flows from Cambodia through South Vietnam before merging into the South China Sea, close to the Mekong Delta. In the city, the river is also joined by the Dong Nai River and the Ben Cat River. Along the riverbanks are villages, underground passages dating back to the Vietnam War, city skyscrapers and ancient houses. Singapore-based commercial pilot Richard is always at the ready with his camera to capture incredible scenes like this. We’ll continue to bring you more of Richard’s aerial endeavours.

All the World’s a Stage

12. Music to our Ears & Eyes from the TENG Ensemble

They’ve been and gone. But we’ve been promised they will return. The Teng Ensemble is uniquely Singaporean. Like the city-state where they originate from, this band of musicians brings together the traditional and the modern, bridging cultures, music and instrumentation from East and West. The brilliant “band” – really an extraordinary arts company. – presented “Heirlooms”, a documentary concert that reimagines the sounds of Singapore’s Chinese forefathers for one night only on 11 October 2019 at Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay. Musical excellence. Entertaining and educational at the same time. Visual story telling and elaborate lighting could have been a distraction, but they amplified and enhanced the performance by the nine musicians. A full house on the night couldn’t get enough of the talent and mastery of the Teng musicians. The audience applauded long and hard for more. But they’ll have to wait until Teng makes its next public appearance. Keep in touch with The Teng Ensemble.

13. From Miss Saigon to Sweeney Todd:

Stephen Sondheim’s musical thriller, “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street”, makes its Singapore premiere, by courtesy of Singapore Repertory Theatre (SRT) at Marina Bay Sands from 28 November to 8 December. Before then, have a read of a review from Manila in Broadway World where the show is now on. So don’t miss Tony Award winner Lea Salonga as Mrs Lovett in Sweeney Todd. Lea is best known for originating the role of Kim in Miss Saigon, which won her the Tony and Olivier Award, as well as the singing voices of Jasmine in Disney’s Aladdin and Fa Mulan in Mulan. She was last seen on SRT’s stage in God of Carnage (2012).

14. Following its triumphant season in London’s West End, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s record-breaking musical CATS comes to the Sands Theatre Singapore for a strictly limited season from 17 December. Based on T. S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, the show is set amongst a larger-than-life junkyard playground and is alive with our favourite feline characters including Rum Tum Tugger, Mr. Mistoffelees, Macavity, Jennyanydots, Old Deuteronomy, Grizabella and Skimbleshanks. The Jellicle Cats come out to play on one special night of the year – the night of the Jellicle Ball. CATS, one of the longest-running shows in West End and Broadway history, received its world premiere at the New London Theatre in 1981 where it played for 21 record-breaking years and almost 9,000 performances.

15. Gliding over forbearing seas, the swell of steadfast waves, myth and monument withstanding time – and Tintagel rises from the cliffs. This all-British programme of soul-stirring music stars the versatile and inspiring violinist Rachel Barton Pine, SSO’s Artist-in-Residence in 2019/20, in the ever-popular Scottish Fantasy by Bruch, concluding with the hushed and heartfelt beauty of Vaughan Williams’ Fifth Symphony. At the Esplanade 26 October.

16. Based on the beloved novel by Michael Morpurgo, the National Theatre of Great Britain’s Tony Award-winning production of War Horse is coming to Singapore. But you have to wait until April 2020! Hailed by Time Magazine as “a landmark theatre event”, this powerfully moving and imaginative drama, filled with stirring music and songs, is a show of phenomenal inventiveness. At its heart are astonishing life-sized puppets created by South Africa’s Handspring Puppet Company, who bring breathing, galloping, charging horses to thrilling life on stage. Read all about it from Singapore Repertory Theatre.

17. The Story of the Forest

A simple antidote to our nature-starved lives, The Joy of Forest Bathing is an enticing and comprehensive introduction to forest bathing—or Shinrin-yoku, in Japan—the meditative practice of connecting with nature and disconnecting from the distractions of daily life. Full sensory immersion in the beauty and wonder of nature and trees can produce mental, emotional, and physical health benefits. This book by Melanie Choukas-Bradley and Lieke van der Vorst is published by Rock Point and we saw it first at Booktique Singapore.

18. Art in wood on the wall of a book store – City Book Room in Singapore -. caught my eye. Found out it’s from ‘Noojo Art and Farm’ located at the border of Amphawa district, Samutsongkram province, Thailand. The two acre space, surrounded by canals and rice fields, is an art studio, café, sustainable farm, event space and accommodation. The name ‘Noojo’? Noo = wife = writer and Jo = husband = photographer and artist. Amateur farmers and creative people who absolutely believe in self-reliance, sufficiency, economy and sustainable living. You can even stay there, AirBnb style.

19. In a bid to further the conversation about mental health, two interactive sculptures greeted passers-by during the London Design Festival recently. The 5.5 metre sculptures were made from PEFC-certified Douglas Fir from leading French timber s u p p l i e r Piveteaubois and supported b y France-Douglas – a key association promoting the use of French Douglas Fir. Multi-award-winning British designer Stewart Padwick created the sculptures ‘Talk to Me’. More from PEFC.

Singapore: In its Own Write

20. Singapore Writers Festival

Who’s who at the Singapore Writers Festival this year? It’s on from 1 to 10 November. The Festival started in 1986 as a biennial festival. Now held yearly, the festival is a much anticipated event on the cultural calendar, presenting the world’s major literary talents to Singaporeans while shining a spotlight on home grown and Southeast Asian creative talents. There’s more about the 2019 programme, so go to the website and register.

21. A Bigger Party Than Expected:

A highlight of SWF this year. Bertha and Heng are getting married and it is, surprisingly, a bigger party than expected because everyone is invited to join in the festivities! Inspired by Rex Shelley’s seminal The Shrimp People, The Arts House transforms into a Eurasian wedding celebration. As you enjoy the strains of the wedding band and traditional Eurasian food and drink, wander through the house and encounter performances and interactive installations. Go here for more.

22. Over the Moon: This delightful illustration is from The Moon, one of In the Circumstances: Rosie Milne, who manages Asian Books Blog, keeps coming up with more books herself. Her latest authorship was the recently discovered bookstores in Singapore, which also serves as a Cafe and an event space to launch Books. Three-in-one and featured in Ken Hickson’s Lion City Lit in Asian Books Blog. He comes up with a new acronym to challenge “Ab-Fab”. It’s AB-CAB! Come along for a ride in the Lion City and get the latest on Authors, Bookstores, Cafes, Awards and Books.

23. In the Circumstances:  Rosie Milne, who manages Asian Books Blog, keeps coming up with more books herself. Her latest authorship was “Circumstance” published by Monsoon Books earlier this year. Her 2016 book “Olivia & Sophie” is an historical novel about the two wives of Sir Stamford Raffles. Good reading as Singapore marks the 200th year since Raffles set foot on the island. Rosie was in the news herself in a two page feature in the latest issue of ANZA magazine. Read her story and the complete issue linked here.

In the Limelight of Literature: 2 x 2

24. The Nobel Prize in Literature 2018 was awarded to Olga Tokarczuk “for a narrative imagination that with encyclopedic passion represents the crossing of boundaries as a form of life.” Hot on the heels of her Nobel win, and an important election in her native Poland, Tokarczuk spoke at the 2019 Frankfurt Book Fair opening press conference.

25. Austrian Peter Handke came from relative obscurity to take the 2019 Nobel Prize for Literature. He complained that journalists had bombarded him with questions about his political views without trying to engage with his writing. Handke, whose best-known works include the novel The Goalkeeper’s Anxiety at the Penalty Kick, the play Offending the Audience and his screenplay for Wim Wenders’Wings of Desire. Read the Guardian report.

26. Margaret Atwood’s novel The Testaments, her long-awaited follow-up to The Handmaid’s Tale, shared the prestigious Booker Prize for Fiction at a ceremony in London on 15 October. The Testaments was published last month, 34 years after the release of The Handmaid’s Tale. The popular TV adaptation of the original text starring Elisabeth Moss debuted on Hulu in 2017 and has run for three seasons, with a fourth on the horizon. There’s more.

27. Bernadine Evaristo, a London-based novelist, playwright, poet and essay writer is also professor of creative writing at Brunel University London. She is the first black woman to win the Booker Prize. Girl, Woman, Other is a genre-stretching work — whole chapters read more like verse than prose. The book speaks to debates on identity politics in the UK, telling the stories of 12 black British women. Read on.

The Art of Sustainability

28. Flying in the Face of a Climate Emergency?

Not a wise move, you would think. But The ABC of Carbon author Ken Hickson comes to the defence of international aviation – airlines, airports and aircraft manufacturers – who are actually doing more than any other global industry to cut emissions. Besides putting clean jet bio fuels to the test, making jet aircraft lighter with carbon fibre and therefore more fuel efficient, plus cutting jet fuel burn by managing flights better, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) – with 290 member airlines – is coming up with what’s called a “market mechanism”, probably very like what’s offered by many airlines now. Passengers can choose to offset their flight carbon foot-print by paying a few extra dollars which will be invested in climate-friendly projects, like tree-planting. Read “Flying to Cleaner Skies” in Millionaire Asia magazine.

29. Climate S.O.S at Art Science Museum

Climate S.O.S is a month-long special showcase at Singapore’s Art Science Museum that forges new connections between our habits as consumers in Asia and the impact on climates in the Arctic, and gives immediate and profound calls-to-action through a series of programmes. “We are pleased to be working with like-minded partners such as Eco-Business, the Singapore Eco Film Festival and MeshMinds who share our passion for creating a better future for the environment,” said Honor Harger, Executive Director of ArtScience Museum.

30. Airport Makes Best Use of Prized Certified Timber

The design of Terminal 2 at Mactan Cebu International Airport, in the Philippines was led by Hong Kong studio Integrated Design Associates, resulting in the project’s unequivocal centrepiece – a timber ceiling – a metaphor for how the airport is a ‘sky bridge’, connecting cities and countries. This is one of the eleven finalists for the Best Use of Certified Timber Prize awarded by PEFC in conjunction with the World Architecture Festival. More from PEFC here.

31. Fashionable to join the Circular Economy

Some luxury brands are averse to consignment, but Burberry is actually encouraging people to resell the brand’s products, rather than throw them out after a couple of wears. Customers who consign Burberry pieces at the RealReal are being offered an exclusive personal shopping experience in select Burberry stores. “Leading the way in creating a more circular economy for fashion is a key element of our Responsibility agenda,” said Pam Batty, VP corporate responsibility of Burberry.

32. How Sustainable is the Business Events Industry?

Events of all kinds, whether for business, the arts, sports, energy or the environment, put pressure on the planet. Making events more sustainable has been the aim the world over, with London’s 2012 Olympics setting a high sustainability benchmark. The latest issue of Biz Events Asia – edited by Lauren Arena – has a close look at what progress the events industry to making, including “expert opinion” from the likes of Ken Hickson. Read all about it.

Short Takes + Long Shots

33. Great to meet and hear the legendary Robert Swan, who walked to both the North and South Poles. Silly thing to do, you might well say, but now he spends most of his time not only talking about the icy steps he’s taken, but he encourages people the world over to pay attention to melting ice bergs and collapsing glaciers. Now he also accompanies his son on arduous expeditions, not done with exploring with a purpose. Read more about his latest campaign.

34. Jet-setting architect, Jason Pomeroy has come home to roost – or work anyway – on Kallang Alive. The 89-hectare mixed-use lifestyle precinct is anchored by the Singapore Sports Hub and other sports and entertainment venues. The loop traces the original circular airfield of Kallang Airport, so hopefully he will find a way to incorporate the distinctive 1930s Art Deco terminal building. There’s more.

35. Ken Hickson weighs up the Octagon of Virtue

Strange isn’t it that the tenth month of the calendar most of the world relies on is actually a word built on the Greek and Latin “Octo”, meaning eight (octagon or octopus), and in chemical terms meaning “having eight atoms” (octavalent). So a man of letters like me, “a person engaged in literary pursuits, especially as a professional writer”, obviously dabbles more in the literal than the numerical – or the chemical – so cannot resist the temptation to play with words, particularly as October is the month of my birth 75 years ago. Just as our Octagon has eight sides and we’ve shown eight very well-connected sectors, we can definitely see at least Eight Ages of Man – and women of course, who are mostly outliving the male of the species. Octo rules. Eight times over. Read the rest of this October literary excursion.

36. Green is the New Black

This year’s Conscious Festival at South Beach, Singapore on 2/3 November.

Empowering people with the knowledge and inspiration they need to take positive actions for their life and work.

THE TALKS: Game-changing talks and panels, bringing together some of the leading conscious change makers and thought leaders in Asia and beyond. A feast for your mind and motivation – come one person, leave another.

THE VILLAGE:  With over 70 brands, artists and quickie talks from change-makers who are making meaningful change in their industries and doing good in the world, the Marketplace is a 360-degree immersive experience into living more consciously.

Go to www.fifthavaue.asia to see the complete issue of The Art of Travel with illustrations and inks.

Previous issue: – 5 June 2019, incorporating The Avenue for Creative Arts

• 

The man who takes musical theatre to the world

By Ken Hickson, Managing Editor of The Art of Travel and The Avenue for Creative Arts, who interviewed Randy Buck when “Phantom of the Opera” started its Singapore season

Everyone calls him Randy. His full name is Randall A. Buck and he’s the Chief Executive Officer of Troika Entertainment.

Among other things, he’s the man with overall responsibility for the production of Phantom of the Opera, which we are seeing in Singapore, the Philippines and Malaysia.

While he’s more than happy to associate himself with his “products”, he’s happy to take a back seat once he’s seen that his Phantom has settled nicely into its Singapore home for its eight-week run.

He announced that he was “happy as Randy” with the production and all the people directly involved after spending a few days and nights in Singapore in April.

Then it’s back to America where there’s a lot more to do.

For the record, he’s produced over 50 productions across the globe for TROIKA Entertainment.  There are eleven shows on the road right now all over the US.

Before joining TROIKA in 1999, Randy was vice president and general manager for Livent in Toronto, where he managed productions such as Fosse, Ragtime, Show Boat, Music of the Night, and Kiss of the Spider Woman.

As a stage manager for more than 20 years, his hands-on involvement was with many major productions, including the opening of Phantom with the Music Box Company and opening Show Boat! on Broadway.

He’s trodden the boards as well, since beginning as an apprentice with The Kenley Players in the late 60s and he has had the privilege of working closely with visionaries such as Twyla Tharp, Susan Stroman, Hal Prince, Joe Layton and Josh Logan, plus hundreds of stars.

If all that is not enough, he’s had the privilege of recently serving on the board for the National Alliance of Music Theater.

When he’s not traveling to bed-in shows in faraway places or go on the road in America with other big touring productions, he says he’s “living happily-ever-after” in the Washington, DC area with his wife, Angela, and their daughter Sierra Ashley Buck.

But we talked about other shows that keeps him very interested and involved in theatre and touring.

This year alone his company has these shows on the road: Cats, Escape to Margaritaville, Kinky Boots – which we saw in Singapore last year – My Fair Lady, On Your feet!, School of Rock, Spamilton, Tap Dogs, Temp Contact, and of course Phantom.

He also told me about what’s coming up that might well tour to this part of the world.

How about the sequel to Phantom? Andrew Lloyd Webber came up with Love Never Dies, described thus: “From the Gothic surroundings of the Paris Opera House to the dazzling heights of New York’s Coney Island, Love Never Dies is a roller-coaster ride of intrigue, obsession and romance – where little is as it first appears.”

Randy has been involved in the taking the show on tour in America and its world tour is being planned. Will we see it in Singapore? “Maybe. In 18months or so, that’s possible”.

One very successful musical currently on Broadway is Come from Away and Randy wonders aloud whether it will see its way to Asia.  Afterall, it takes place in the wake of 9/11. As planes were grounded around the world, 38 of which landed in the remote town of Newfoundland with 7,000 passengers on board. 

Come From Away is the story of these passengers and how in the shadow of terror, came comradery and connections that would have lasting effects on all involved. As the town folk open their doors and their hearts, the healing process begins in this breath-taking production, called “an affection and stirring new musical”, by the Los Angeles Times.

Randy was also telling me about another “very American production”. Apollo 11 is heading to the Los Angeles Rose Bowl as “an immersive 360-degree adventure this summer”.

He says this is “a stunning live show”, with an original story, full cast and presented in the spectacular lunar dome with its sensational 40,000 square feet of video projections.

Now that might be difficult to tour and stage in Singapore. But you never know with Randy and Troika Entertainment. They’ve done a lot of other “seemingly impossible” productions.  

Meantime, sit back and lap up the wonders of musical theatre. And think of the people behind the scenes – along with the stars on the show – who make these amazing things happen on stage. Everywhere in the world.

See Phantom while it’s still running in Singapore. Or catch it in Kuala Lumpur or Dubai. The shows goes on. For Randy and the rest of us.

There’s more on Troika Entertainment here.

The Art of Travel

Six stories in the first issue of The Art of Travel (March 2019) by Ken Hickson are relevant to followers of fashion and our Focus on Forests. Read on…..

• Architecture in Timber

For the second time, PEFC – the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification – is sponsoring the World Architecture Festival (WAF) Best Use of Certified Timber Prize. This rewards architects and project teams for their use of certified timber as a main construction material for buildings outstanding in sustainability, innovation, quality or aesthetics. 40 architects from 20 countries entered their projects into the prize in 2018. After a live presentation of the nine shortlisted projects, a jury of three experts, including architect Mark Thomson, chose International House in Sydney, designed by Tzannes and developed by Lend Lease, as the winner. Learn more about this year’s PEFC Prize and entry requirements.

• Technology-driven art exhibition:

At the Art Science Museum Singapore until 17 March, this exhibition features about 20 immersive artworks and experiences by more than 25 artists, with a focus on environmental sustainability. Kay Vasey, founder of the not-for-profit MeshMinds Foundation, says: “We want to tackle global challenges from an Asian perspective. If we always talk about it from the perspective of the West, where are the Asian voices?” Read all about it and go.

• Wood4Good. Roger & Sons – three young creative craftsmen – are embarking on a Local Tree Project. Making furniture from abandoned trees in Singapore, some that had fallen, or were cut down for good reason or otherwise needed to be disposed of. They believe that “earth is a living, breathing organism that deserves respect”. An ideal case for our“Focus on Forests” campaign.

• A Walk in the Park!

To celebrate the English National Parks, a new project has launched targeting the international travel trade: The English National Park Experience Collection (ENPEC). Supported by VisitEngland’s Discover England Fund, the new collection is made up of over 70 new immersive visitor experiences and over 80 accommodation providers, across nine of England’s National Parks. Read all about it.

• Naturally Singapore

Come and see our beautiful birds in Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, our adorable river otters, and the many other animals which call Singapore home. Step back in time with a visit to Pulau Ubin, a 10-minute boat ride away from mainland Singapore. Admire the beauty and learn the heritage of our world famous Botanic Gardens (our first UNESCO Heritage site!). In this its bicentenary year, Singapore is celebrating its history and its environment. Jane’s Tours will help you see and explore the best of Singapore. Naturally. Read More.

Paper Straws won’t Save the Planet

Sustainability isn’t just about eschewing plastic straws and water bottles, writes Ken Hickson in Business Traveller Asa Pacific. It seems to have become trendy in recent times for hotels to make a fanfare of their token sustainability gestures – moves that are ostensibly good for the environment but of questionable efficacy in the grand scheme of saving the planet. Read Business Traveller for the rest.

For the full story – all 23 illustrated stories – go to see The Art of Travel, the first issue of our newest online magazine. https://conta.cc/2TzdpmH