Game On! Exhibition
Contemporary art lovers and basketball fans in Singapore are in for a treat this May as one of the hottest ultra-contemporary artists of today, Edgar Plans (Plans), visits Singapore for the very first time as part of the Game On Global Tour! Featuring his signature sculptures inspired by legendary NBA players, along with limited edition collectibles in an exclusive collaboration with the NBA, the Game On Global Tour by Edgar Plans arrives in Singapore after tremendously successful exhibitions in Shanghai, Shen Zhen, and Hong Kong with immediate sold out art collectibles.
Presented by international art creative agency Art with Love, in partnership with BLAXK by ActionCity, co-organised by global creative art studio Coexist (also known as CE Lab) and European contemporary art organisation MishaMade, from 25 May to 16 July 2023, Game On is a one-of-a-kind interactive experience at Funan featuring Plans’ expansive collection of sculptures and paintings. Bringing a concept similar to the K11 Art Mall in Hong Kong, Art with Love brings this novel “Museum-Retail” concept to Singapore, integrating the retail experience with internationally celebrated artist Plans’ art. The Game On exhibition is the first in a series of events and retail experiences lined up under the partnership between Singapore Tourism Board and CapitaLand to deliver new retail concepts and drive global awareness of Singapore and CapitaLand malls, including Funan, as must-visit lifestyle destinations.
Meet Edgar Plans - The contemporary artist!
Plans is known globally for his graffiti style artwork and contemporary take on socio-political issues through his medium of superheroes, married with a palette of vibrant colours and doodle aesthetics. The Spanish-born artist names graffiti, street art, comic books, illustrations and animated films as major influences and his multidisciplinary works recall the styles of a range of artists such as Jean-Michel Basquiat, Paul Klee, Keith Haring, and even Takashi Murakami. A superstar in the global art scene in the last decade, Plans’ artwork has been showcased widely across Europe and Asia in various major museums, galleries and auction houses across the globe, highlighting his ever increasing popularity and cultural relevancy. Internationally renowned for his “Animal Heroes” series, Plans draws his audience into a fantastical world filled with distinct, mouse-eared protagonists in irresistibly adorable costumes. With their disproportionately large heads and large expressive eyes, these heroes exude an air of whimsical exuberance and optimism in the face of problems. In recent years, Plans’ works have become incredibly popular, marking a trend which has seen similar rises in popularity among collectors for collectibles such as KAWS. In 2022, Plans’ work accrued USD 12 million in auction sales, across 175 lots; making for a 23% increase in the average price over the year.
Taking his Animal Heroes characters from the confines of a canvas to an augmented reality setting, and now art toys, Plans’ highly appealing Lil’ Heroes series of work has become incredibly popular in recent years, marking a rising trend among collectors.
Game On! Exhibition in Singapore!
“Game On is a cross-border integration of art, games, sports and music, creating a field where contemporary culture and young generations collide.” said Michelle Yu, Founder of Art with Love. “Bridging the worlds of traditional art and entertainment, Plans’ cute style of art, which is humorous and whimsical, has a magical way of drawing people in. This exhibition was born out of a desire to bring collectible artworks by top international artists to people in Singapore and the region, fostering the growth and appreciation of contemporary art in a fun, accessible and relatable manner.”
Stepping into a street basketball-inspired wonderland, visitors in Singapore can look forward to larger-than-life sculptures and Lil’ Heroes representing the NBA and NBA players across different eras. Snap pictures with Plans’ jaw dropping sculptures as they make their way around Funan, with five giant sculptures and art pieces inspired by basketball superstars such as Michael Jordan, Lebron James, and Kobe Bryant being installed throughout the mall. With installations designed and inspired by the basketball court, the vividly-coloured, visually stunning 2.5-metre-tall ‘Lil’ Heroes’ are modelled in ‘fight-or-flight’ poses, paying tribute to the NBA players they are modelled upon and the glorious game of basketball.
Plans will also be unveiling a Singapore-exclusive collectible inspired by one of the greatest basketball players of all time in the truly iconic Chicago Bulls jersey! This series of collectibles are collected by top celebrities and art toy collectors. Previous collections were sold out within weeks after launching.
Plans said that he started creating a world with these characters as a way to inspire and communicate through art and the response he has received in Asia has been extremely heartening. Seeing audiences relate, connect and interact with his work has been gratifying and he is thankful for the opportunity to share his art with new audiences in Singapore. He looks forward to making new experiences when he comes to Singapore next month.
Flyman 2023
For collectors, grab the opportunity to add Plans’ highly desirable work to one’s collection, as Plans introduces a limited edition Michael Jordan-inspired collectible launching exclusively in Singapore, only available through BLAXK by ActionCity. Specially designed as a stand-out collectible within the Game On series paying tribute to the great basketball icon, this ‘Flyman 23’ sculpture by Plans is limited to only 400 pieces. Art collectors will certainly not want to miss out on this exciting opportunity to own this grail figure, with previous exclusive merchandise selling out immediately upon launch before growing steadily in value in secondary markets. His collectors are beyond traditional art enthusiasts, and includes top celebrities, actors and street culture icons - which is evident with the wait list already filling up by collectors for Edgar Plans’ Flyman 23 figure even before official announcements.
“BLAXK by ActionCity is thrilled to be able to work with Art With Love to bring the Game On exhibition to Singapore – the only city in the region to feature in this incredibly unique activation where Art meets Basketball!” said Cheong Zhaoyong, Director of BLAXK by ActionCity. “Edgar Plans is one of the most influential artists in the pop culture world, and having his inaugural exhibition here drives the development of the local art and collectibles scene. With Game On Singapore and the launch of our event-exclusive Flyman 23 sculpture, we look forward to celebrating the art of Edgar Plans together with NBA fans as well as art collectors and enthusiasts.”
Beyond the highly-coveted Flyman 23 sculpture, other limited edition Game On merchandises by Plans will also be available at the exhibition, including accessories and apparels, as well as a specially designed Edgar Plans x Wilson basketball which incorporates the artist’s street graffiti style paintings and sketch lines!
Game On! Exhibition
BLAXK x Art With Love x Edgar Plans
Exhibition opens to public from 25 May
BLAXK by ActionCity Funan
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