MyStory :: Resources :: BeMuse Magazine

Of Earth and Empire : The World of the Terracotta Warriors
Volume 4, Issue 3, Jul to Sep 2011
This issue of BeMUSE is dedicated to all (well, almost) things Singaporean. We usher in Singapore HeritageFest by delving right into the heartlands to celebrate what we love about home. We take a trip down memory lane by presenting to you a tribute to the iconic Singapore hangouts where fond memories are galore. Be amused by the beauty of the terracotta warriors and be told about life in ancient China where they now stand in Asian Civilisations Museum. National Heritage Board has soared new heights since Professor Tommy Koh became the Chairman, he talks about his favourite highlights and paid tribute to the implausible team he had during his 9-year reign. Lastly we will like to wish our dear readers a very happy 46th National Day.

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A Different Light: Seeing The World Through Fresh Eyes
Volume 4, Issue 2, Apr to Jul 2011
This issue of BeMUSE takes a second look at how multiple layers can be shred when appreciating heritage in a different light. From fabrics to artefacts, we uncover the beauty which lies beneath the surface, revealing fresh glimpses into the past and also plenty to look forward to in the future. The women do not get it in the Sarong Kebaya exhibition where men get free entries. What better way to save than in a piggy bank (literally), so check out the designs by our local designers working with Singapore Art Museum drawing inspiration from its etymological origins. Come July, join us to embark on a journey to cherish and rediscover the memories of good old times in this home we call Singapore at Singapore HeritageFest 2011 !

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Exploring The World Through Artefacts
Volume 4, Issue 1, Jan to Mar 2011
This issue of BeMUSE is themed ‘Exploring the World Through Artefacts: Discoveries from Afar and At Home’. As we welcome 2011, we hope our readers will make use of the opportunity to explore the many historic districts, monuments and museum that exist in Singapore and learn more about your neighbour’s heritage. We have such rich heritage right in our backyard. It is a pity that one wants to travel the world literally and virtually to discover new cultures, when we have a mini-United Nations right here in Singapore, through the many exciting blockbusters brought in by the museums and the living multicultural heritage we enjoy.

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Bridging Worlds
Volume 3, Issue 4, Oct to Dec 2010
This issue of BeMUSE explores what sort of legacy we would like to leave for our future generations. This idea is aptly captured in the articles on Pompeii, on one of the Singapore’s pioneer artists, Cheong Soo Pieng, and on the Contemporary Art. As we ponder this idea further, we will also realise that our history and heritage are dynamic, evolving and mean different things to different people at various points in time. This is the challenge for any heritage worker or professional and is discussed in our MuseTalk interview with the Chairman of the National Archives Board, Mr Kwa Chong Guan. There is also in this issue a new section, MuseShop, that highlights heritage merchandise inspired by the past and created in a contemporary fashion.

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Heritage in Our Backyard
Volume 3, Issue 3, Jul to Sep 2010
This issue of BeMUSE celebrates the diverse heritage of ours and highlights the many hidden treasures lying in our backyard waiting to be discovered. You will soon realise that the tree biodiversity found in Bukit Timah Nature Reserve is comparable with that of the entire North American continent! You will also discover some hidden treasures in Balestier such as vanishing trades still in business, a monument that tells a story of love, patriotism and valour and an old film studio which used to produce P Ramlee movies, right here in Singapore and it is still standing today. Hope you will enjoy this bumper issue which will take you through the architectural heritage, natural heritage and community heritage of Singapore.

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Weighing in for Posterity
Volume 3, Issue 2, Apr to Jun 2010
The headline for this issue of BeMUSE is "Weighing in For Posterity: Nurturing the Future Generations to Come". The feature article "Power to the People: A Helping Hand for Singapore's Heritage Ecosystem" looks at the topic of how heritage can become a viable business and how it can be turned into a million-dollar industry. The National Heritage Board plays a key role in nurturing our fledgling heritage industry and making it vibrant through funding incentives, networking opportunities and mentoring and sharing of ideas. In addition, new exhibitions are also featured such as "The Hand that Rocks the Cradle and Rules the Empire: Great Women of the Mughal Era" which looks at how the Mughal Court women guided and inspired emperors through the centuries; "Singapore 1960: A Confluence of Language, Culture and Politics" which explores the new era that awaited Singapore in 1960 as the island sought to forge a Malayan identity and culture; "Scenes from a Cinematic Past: Ming Wong's Life of Imitation" which showcases an award-winning installation by Ming Wong; and "February 15: A Day to Remember" which chronicles the fall of Singapore to the Japanese on 15 February 1942 through stamps, postmarks, covers and postcards.

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Facing the Unknown
Volume 3, Issue 1, Jan to Mar 2010
This issue focuses on examining the well-known aspects of history and heritage from a different perspective, and hence the theme ‘the unknown within the known’. You will find articles which introduce exhibitions that explore the little known but interesting historical details such as the evolution of carrier bags in Singapore from the 1960s to the 1980s as well as the contributions of volunteers from Singapore who signed up as drivers to truck vital supplies between Burma and China during the Sino-Japanese War in 1939. Through these articles, readers are given the opportunities to learn about an aspect of history that was not known to them before. Therefore, readers will appreciate that history is dynamic, and new perspectives are formed as new evidences are uncovered over time.

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Philippines Fiesta
Volume 2, Issue 4, Oct to Dec 2009
This issue focuses on our recently-opened Philippines Fiesta, another of NHB’s country-themed festival where all our museums have come together to showcase something related to the Philippines. Exhibitions based on the theme of the Philippines include ‘Land of the Morning: The Philippines and its People” which examines the diverse history, cultures and themes that have shaped the Philippines from ancient times till the present day. ‘Thrice Upon A Time: A Century of Story in the Art of the Philippines’ traces how art tells the folk tales, legends, epics and real life chronicles of the Philippine people. The history of the Philippines through stamps is charted in the exhibition ‘Bayanihan: Spirit of the Philippines’. Other highlights are “The Image of Our Landscape: 19th Century Singapore Through Paintings, Prints and Photographs’, ‘Cities Here and Now: A Narrative of Asia’s Urban Condition, Here and Now’ and ‘From Vintage to Grand Prix: SPM Hits the Road with Car-Themed Exhibition’.

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