Cover Stories: Singapore in Circles and Steel is the outcome of Kay Saputra’s residency at INSTINC’s Artist-in-Residence program, where he presents a series of screen-printed works inspired by the diverse manhole cover designs found throughout Singapore. Rooted in his ongoing semi-research during travels across Asia, Kay began with a hypothesis: that walkable cities with accessible public transportation often reflect a higher level of care in the design of public infrastructures. Among these overlooked elements are manhole covers, a ubiquitous objects encountered on any pedestrian journey. His fascination with manhole covers was first sparked by Japanese pop culture, where a niche yet enthusiastic community celebrates the artistry of such everyday infrastructure. This curiosity led him to observe and document manhole covers in various cities across Indonesia and other Asian countries. In cities like Bangkok, Seoul, and Hong Kong, he noted a distinct correlation between transit accessibility and the aesthetic attention given to public utilities. When Kay arrived in Singapore, he was presented with a notable divergence. Beyond tourist-centric areas like Gardens by the Bay, Joo Chiat Heritage Town, and Orchard Road, most manhole covers were utilitarian, bearing only agency stamps or service company logos, with minimal decorative effort. Rather than viewing this as a contradiction, the experience prompted a shift in perspective. For Kay, these plain covers began to reveal something deeper. In contrast to the ornate designs found elsewhere, Singapore’s manhole covers mirror the city’s values: speed, functionality, and efficiency. Here, beauty is not prioritized in objects that already fulfill their purpose, a reflection, perhaps, of a culture that prizes utility over embellishment. Through this body of work, Kay Saputra invites viewers to reconsider the overlooked and often invisible aspects of the built environment. His screen-prints do not merely document manhole covers, they render visible the ideological underpinnings of urban design and the cultural narratives encoded in material surfaces. / About Artist / Kay Saputra (b. 2001) is an Indonesian artist based between Jakarta and Yogyakarta. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts with a focus on Printmaking from Institut Seni Indonesia Yogyakarta. Beyond his academic training, he deepened his practice at Krack! Printmaking Studio, a leading contemporary printmaking space in Yogyakarta, where he refined both his technical skills and artistic vision. He is also a member of Titik Kumpul Forum, a Yogyakarta-based art collective composed of 12 other artists. Kay’s recent works explore fragments of space time encountered during his transit across Asia. Through a distinct and curious lens, he explores how visual elements and design in everyday life both consciously and unconsciously reflect the cultural environments that shape them. By recontextualizing these fragments into his visual practice, he is paying homage to the inanimate, the mundane, and the overlooked, encouraging a deeper appreciation for the ordinary. / About INSTINC Space / Founded in 2004 by artist Yeo Shih Yun, INSTINC stands as a leading artist-run-institution based in Singapore. With a distinguished presence in the arts ecosystem, INSTINC diligently sustains the growth of contemporary art through exhibitions, residency programs and curations. Their esteemed Artist-in-Residence program has cultivated invaluable regional and international networks from 2009 to now. INSTINC is celebrated for producing immersive, large-scale exhibitions that encompass installation, new media, performance, painting and sculpture, showcasing the diverse range of artistic expressions. Notable collaborations include partnerships with renowned brands such as Volvo and Guinness, further demonstrating INSTINC's commitment to fostering cross-disciplinary exchanges. Moreover, INSTINC takes immense pride in organizing the highly anticipated INSTINC D:Art Festival 2022, generously supported by UOB Bank and the NAC start fund. Delve into a diverse array of captivating exhibitions and projects curated by INSTINC, featuring stunning installations, innovative new media works, mesmerizing performances, evocative paintings, and captivating sculptures. With expertises in exhibition curation, commissioned works and brand alliances, INSTINC endeavors as a vital presence in the cultivation of contemporary art.

Information Source: INSTINC Art space | eventbrite

Singapore

Searching for information and tickets regarding Opening Reception, Cover Stories: Singapore in Circles and Steel | INSTINC Space taking place in Singapore on May 28, 2025 (UTC+8)? Trip.com has you covered. Check the dates, itineraries, and other information about Opening Reception, Cover Stories: Singapore in Circles and Steel | INSTINC Space now! Trip.com has also prepared more similar exciting activities and discounted flight and hotel packages.

Opening Reception, Cover Stories: Singapore in Circles and Steel | INSTINC Space: Tickets, Dates & Itineraries | Trip.com

Opening Reception, Cover Stories: Singapore in Circles and Steel | INSTINC Space

Opening Reception, Cover Stories: Singapore in Circles and Steel | Trip.com

null | Trip.com

Share your results and see what your friends think!

Night view

_TI***8d

i was there with work permit, so i lived in Singapore almost 2yrs. Singapore is with a multicultural population and in recognition of the cultural identities of the major ethnic groups within the nation. was an amazing experience to live there.

Tanjong Pagar

Crystal lightsz

One of the popular spot in Tanjong Pagar area is The Pinnacle＠Duxton Sky Garden 50th Storey Skybridge.  Best skyline view in Singapore .

Raffles Singapore

Luxury Hotels

Resorts World Sentosa - Equarius Villas

Near Universal Studios Singapore|Sentosa Island, Singapore

Family Hotels

Singapore Flyer

Immediate access

Book now for today

Best Things to Do

PadaGu

ซื้อตั๋วจากทริปดอทคอมสะดวก ได้Qr Code ไปถึงไม่เสียเวลาเข้าคิวซื้อtickets สแกนเข้าได้เลย   เข้าไปถึงฟังประวัติของปรเมศสิงคโปร์กันก่อน เดินตามทางไปเรื่อยๆ แต่ละห้องดูน่าสนใจ จนไปถึงเข้าแคปซูล ค่อยๆหมุนๆ เก็บบรรยากาศแบบไม่เร่งรีบ   แนะนำให้ชาร์จแบตกล้องถ่ายรูปไว้ แบตหมดอดถ่ายรูปนะคะ โดยรวมพอใจมาก อาจโชคดีที่คนในแคปซูลน่ารักทุกคนด้วย

Rainforest Wild ASIA

Anonymous user

Incorporate easy hiking trial with zoo is a fun and rewarding experience. The hiking trial design suits all ages. Worth for a visit.

Capella Singapore

Cultural Hotels

Marina Bay Sands Singapore

Near Marina Bay Sands|Marina Bay, Singapore

Instagrammable Hotels

The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore

Flower Dome

Mcaez

Worth the visit, the dinausour look very realistic. Place could be very crowded during the weekend. We have a stroller with us. The place easy to navigate there are lifts. A lot of things to see.

Sentosa

Natural scenery

205***26

Sentosa Island is very good, the theme park has more projects, Jurassic Park, Xiaohuangren, etc. On the island, the ecology is mainly good, there are many birds, and I have seen seagulls, peacocks and lizards. The accommodation is more expensive. The hotel does not provide breakfast. Others are OK.

Time:	May 28, 2025 (UTC+8) ENDED
Location:	INSTINC Space

Opening Reception, Cover Stories: Singapore in Circles and Steel | INSTINC Space

Details

Vote

Are you interested in Opening Reception, Cover Stories: Singapore in Circles and Steel?

Recommended Products for Opening Reception, Cover Stories: Singapore in Circles and Steel | INSTINC Space

Singapore

Tanjong Pagar

Raffles Singapore

Resorts World Sentosa - Equarius Villas

Singapore Flyer

Rainforest Wild ASIA

Capella Singapore

Marina Bay Sands Singapore

The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore

Flower Dome

Sentosa

Opening Reception, Cover Stories: Singapore in Circles and Steel | INSTINC Space

Details

Vote

Are you interested in Opening Reception, Cover Stories: Singapore in Circles and Steel?

Recommended Products for Opening Reception, Cover Stories: Singapore in Circles and Steel | INSTINC Space

Singapore

Tanjong Pagar

Raffles Singapore

Resorts World Sentosa - Equarius Villas

Singapore Flyer

Rainforest Wild ASIA

Capella Singapore

Marina Bay Sands Singapore

The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore

Flower Dome

Sentosa

More contents about Singapore