Funan Welcomes the Year of the Horse with Creative Intersections “HOBBYHORSE: Rhythm and Forms of Play” - Alvinology

Funan Welcomes the Year of the Horse with Creative Intersections “HOBBYHORSE: Rhythm and Forms of Play”

Funan is ushering in the new year with the return of its signature public art initiative, Creative Intersections, which makes its sixth appearance from 22 January to 22 February 2026. Titled “HOBBYHORSE: Rhythm and Forms of Play”, this year’s edition draws inspiration from the Year of the Horse, inviting visitors to explore themes of movement, energy and imagination through a vibrant fusion of art, retail and interactive experiences.

Funan Welcomes the Year of the Horse with Creative Intersections “HOBBYHORSE: Rhythm and Forms of Play” - Alvinology

Curated by Vertical Submarine, the month-long showcase brings together 24 local artists and 15 retail brand collaborations, transforming Funan into a dynamic playground where contemporary art meets everyday urban life. Presented through immersive installations, animated digital works and in-store artistic interventions, the initiative encourages shoppers and art lovers alike to rediscover the joy of play and creative expression.

Recognised as part of the official itinerary of Singapore Art Week 2026, Creative Intersections unfolds on two levels, within tenant spaces and across public areas of the mall.

Art Meets Retail at the Tenant Level

At the tenant level, participating brands have partnered with artists to co-create artworks that are displayed directly within their retail spaces. This year sees eight brands making their debut in Creative Intersections: Ace Club Tennis, Allbirds, AlphaTheta, DJI, Herschel, Hydro Flask, TOMS and Wingstop. These collaborations blur the lines between commerce and creativity, offering visitors unexpected artistic encounters as they move through the mall.

Public Art Installations Across Funan

On a mall-wide scale, Funan has collaborated with local artists to produce large-scale public exhibits that anchor the experience.

One of the highlights is “In the Measure of Horseshoes” by Wendy Victoria Mack, installed at the Grand Stairs on Level 1. The staircase is transformed into the imagined body of a resting horse, with its mane flowing gently down each step. Visitors are invited to wander through this dreamlike installation, counting the horseshoes hidden within, a playful twist on the familiar act of counting sheep.

Funan Welcomes the Year of the Horse with Creative Intersections “HOBBYHORSE: Rhythm and Forms of Play” - Alvinology

Adding an interactive element, shoppers can take part in “Spot. Count. Win.” at the Grand Stairs. By scanning a QR code and submitting a guess on the number of horseshoes embedded in the artwork, participants stand a chance to win 2,000 STAR$.

Another key feature is the return of Funan’s Passion Horses, a series of sculptural horse exhibits designed to embody the mall’s six core passions: Chic, Craft, Fit, Play, Taste and Tech.

Funan Welcomes the Year of the Horse with Creative Intersections “HOBBYHORSE: Rhythm and Forms of Play” - Alvinology
  • Tech, Chic and Craft Passion Horses can be found on Level 1 in front of the Kinetic Wall.
  • Play, Taste and Fit Passion Horses are located at Basement 2, at the entrance of the Underground Pedestrian Link (UPL).

A New Kinetic Wall Animation

Funan’s iconic Kinetic Wall, Singapore’s first seven-storey digital art installation, also plays a starring role in this year’s showcase. Measuring 13 metres high and 9 metres wide, the installation features 1,271 motorised light blades and embossed aluminium panels, enhanced by mirrored ceilings that amplify its visual impact.

Funan Welcomes the Year of the Horse with Creative Intersections “HOBBYHORSE: Rhythm and Forms of Play” - Alvinology

A brand-new animation titled “Horse Shtick!” by Gavin Lee, who is debuting his creative work this year, will be screened throughout the festival period. The animation follows a hobby horse named Hobbi as it emerges from its box and encounters the rhythm of city life, from bustling streets to passing crowds. Through its playful journey, Hobbi discovers that it is not confined by its simple stick form, but instead becomes a symbol of transformation, imagination and creative freedom.

The animation runs at the Level 1 Kinetic Wall (Coleman Street Entrance) from 22 January to 22 February 2026, screening every 10 minutes between 10am and 10pm, with each loop lasting one minute.

Light to Night 2026: ‘Burrows’

Funan Welcomes the Year of the Horse with Creative Intersections “HOBBYHORSE: Rhythm and Forms of Play” - Alvinology

Complementing Creative Intersections is Light to Night 2026’s installation, “Burrows”, by artist collective Tell Your Children. Located at Basement 2, Underground Pedestrian Link, the installation presents a whimsical underground world where imagined creatures dig, build, play and support one another. Through its scenes of collaboration and care, the artwork highlights themes of teamwork, unity and shared resilience. “Burrows” will be on display now until 22 February 2026.

A Shared Creative Journey

Organised by Funan in collaboration with Justin Loke, Creative Director of Vertical Submarine, Creative Intersections continues to position the mall as a platform for shared creative experiences. For this edition, Justin curated a diverse roster of Singaporean and Singapore-based artists to interpret themes such as resilience, transformation and interconnectedness across multiple art forms, including paintings, sculptures, multimedia works and interactive installations.

Event Details

Event: Creative Intersections “HOBBYHORSE: Rhythm and Forms of Play”
Date: 22 January – 22 February 2026
Time: 10am – 10pm
Venue: Funan, 107 North Bridge Road, Singapore 179105
Admission: Free

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