Marc Quinn's 'Planet' unveiled at Gardens by the Bay in Singapore
Date uploaded: January 28, 2013
Planet, a giant painted bronze and steel sculpture of a sleeping baby by British artist Marc Quinn, was unveiled at a ceremony at Gardens by the Bay in Singapore on 18th January 2013. The sculpture has been donated for permanent display at the Gardens by Mr and Mrs Putra and Imelda Masagung.
The work, a ten-metre steel and bronze sculpture of Quinn's infant son made in 2008, was first shown at the Sotheby's contemporary sculpture show, Beyond Limits, at Chatsworth House, England in 2008, before being shown in The Littoral Zone at the Musée Océanographique de Monaco in 2012. Quinn's son, a sleeping baby, appears to hover above the ground.
‘To me, Planet is a paradox – hugely heavy, yet the bronze appears weightless; overwhelmingly big, yet also an image of vulnerability. It is both a reflection of ourselves and the earth upon which we live’ said Quinn on the occasion of the unveiling.
Planet forms the newest addition to over 40 artworks on display in Gardens by the Bay. Dr Kiat W. Tan, CEO of Gardens by the Bay, said: ‘Gardens by the Bay is home to a diverse collection of sculptures that complements the beauty of our plants and adds a new dimension to the landscape. The new addition, Planet, marks the latest step in Gardens by the Bay’s efforts to continuously enhance our offerings, adding an aesthetic dimension to our horticultural displays. It is our hope that the sculptures in the Gardens will engage and inspire visitors towards an appreciation of art.'
Guardian newspaper critic, Jonathan Jones, wrote an article in response to Planet's unveiling in which he stated: ‘Art that flaunts its content in an immediately readable way risks vacuity. Shouldn't there be some ambiguity, even profundity, in art? … Art should challenge us. How does Quinn's giant floating baby do that? Everyone can see what it is - a bland cocktail of awe and empathy.’ Click here to read the article.
An integral part of Singapore’s ‘City in a Garden’ vision, Gardens by the Bay spans 101 hectares in Singapore’s Marina Bay. Comprising three waterfront gardens it is a showcase of horticulture and garden artistry.
