Wazzup Pilipinas!?
Presented by Art with Love, in partnership with BLAXK by ActionCity, the Game On Global Tour arrives in Singapore with Plans’ signature sculptures modelled after legendary NBA players as well as highly sought-after exclusive collectibles.
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.
Edgar Plans, I Love This Game, 2022, Mixed media on Canvas, 150cm x 150cm
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 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.”
Audiences engaging with Edgar Plans’ works at the Game On exhibition in Shenzhen last year.
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.
One of Edgar Plans’ creations that audiences in Singapore will have the opportunity to view 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.
Singapore-Exclusive Limited Edition Flyman 23
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!
Details about the Game On Global Tour by Edgar Plans Exhibition in SIngapore:
Period: 25 May to 16 July 2023
Venue: Funan, with exclusive collectibles available at BLAXK by ActionCity
(#01-03)
Address: 109 North Bridge Rd, Singapore 179097
Organisers and Partners of the Game On Global Tour by Edgar Plans Exhibition in
SIngapore:
Artwork by: Edgar Plans
Organised & Curated by: Art with Love in partnership with BLAXK by ActionCity
Co-organised by: Coexist and MishaMade
Supported by: CapitaLand Investment Limited
Singapore Tourism Board
For more information, kindly refer to the Appendix.
Annex A: Quote Sheet
Annex B: Edgar Plan’s Biography
About Edgar Plans
Edgar Plans is a Spanish postwar and contemporary artist that lives in Gijón, Spain whose works have been featured across the world in notable galleries such as the Almine Rech in Brussels, Shanghai, and Paris, the Moscow Museum of Modern Art, the WOAW Gallery in Hong Kong, and the Padre Gallery in New York. His work has also gone under the hammer at various notable auction houses, with his painting Colors being sold for approximately 700,000USD in 2022 at Christie’s Shanghai.
Plans conveys the innocence and hope of children through his raw and playful imagery, creating doodle-like visuals to paint a narrative and tackle grown up issues from a whimsical perspective. By using his expressive and eye-catching cartoon characters known as Animal Heroes set in contrast to urban backdrops using mixed media, Plans draws attention to social issues like racism and gender equality.
Follow Edgar Plans on Instagram at @edgarplans.
About Lil’ Heroes
Lil' Heroes is a branding and entertainment franchise created by Spanish artist Edgar Plans in association with Exile Content Studio.
It debuted in January 2022 as an NFT collection that unites the worlds of traditional art, entertainment, and technology. Beyond the NFTs, the brand also sells merchandise and licenses, and produces an animated show, events, publications, and more.
About Art with Love
ART WITH LOVE (AWL) is an art creative agency that connects top international artist resources to provide integrated art services that drive up the cultural and commercial value of art. Its innovative strategy and approach brings art to a broader audience with accessible and investible artworks.
Based in Singapore and New York, with offices globally, AWL bridges the art and cultural communities between the East and West, filling the gap of global art presentation in the Asian
market. Find out more at artwithlove.club.
About BLAXK by ActionCity
BLAXK by ActionCity (BLAXK) is a space for all things pop culture, design and art. Set up by ActionCity in September 2021, BLAXK marks the 21st anniversary and growth milestone of the brand as the industry thought-leader spearheading the convergence of pop culture, art and collectibles in Singapore.
Beyond curating pop art collections through partnerships with world-class artists & brands, BLAXK inspires meaningful and deep connections between all who share a common love for pop art and collectibles through serving as a creative and interactive hub celebrating the vibrant growth of pop culture and community.
Follow BLAXK by ActionCity on Instagram at @theblaxkspace.
About CapitaLand Investment Limited
Headquartered and listed in Singapore, CapitaLand Investment Limited (CLI) is a leading
global real estate investment manager (REIM) with a strong Asia foothold. As at 31 December 2022, CLI had S$132 billion of real estate assets under management, and S$88 billion of real estate funds under management (FUM) held via six listed real estate investment trusts and
business trusts, and more than 30 private vehicles across Asia Pacific, Europe and USA. Its diversified real estate asset classes cover retail, office, lodging, business parks, industrial, logistics and data centres.
CLI aims to scale its FUM and fee-related earnings through fund management, lodging management and its full stack of operating capabilities, and maintain effective capital management. As the investment management arm of CapitaLand Group, CLI has access to the development capabilities of and pipeline investment opportunities from CapitaLand’s development arm.
As a responsible company, CLI places sustainability at the core of what it does and has committed to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. CLI contributes to the environmental and social well-being of the communities where it operates, as it delivers long-term economic value to its stakeholders.
For more information, visit www.capitalandinvest.com.
About the Singapore Tourism Board
The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is the lead development agency for tourism, one of Singapore’s key economic sectors. Together with industry partners and the community, we shape a dynamic Singapore tourism landscape. We bring the Passion Made Possible brand to life by differentiating Singapore as a vibrant destination that inspires people to share and deepen their passions.
For more information, visit www.stb.gov.sg or www.visitsingapore.com.
Follow STB on Facebook @STBsingapore or on LinkedIn at
https://www.linkedin.com/company/singapore-tourism-board/mycompany/
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
