Artbox Singapore 2019: Eden

Image adapted from: @beefbro_sg, @mylenemolo, Artbox & @pestlemortarclothing

Ever since its 2017 Singapore debut, Artbox has been an annual highlight that visitors of all ages flock to. An outdoor market concept hailing from Bangkok, there’s a lot more to experience on top of yummy street food and unique retail treasure finds.  

Taking place from 3PM-11PM on 15th – 17th and 22nd – 24th November, Artbox Singapore 2019: Eden follows an awe-inspiring mythical paradise theme, featuring myriad bursts of colour and multiple photo-worthy backdrops. Held at Singapore Turf Club (The Grounds@Kranji) for the very first time, expect more than 300 booths, art displays and entertainment acts across the huge 200,000 sq foot space.

Photo ops – scented tunnel, 3-level entrance container & vine arches

Image credit: Artbox

No trip to Artbox is complete without some sick shots for the ‘Gram against those iconic container structures, oozing industrial chic. This year’s rendition takes it up a notch with a sprawling area decked out in floral fancies, providing photo ops the moment you set foot onto the premises.

Image credit: Artbox

Visitors are greeted by a towering 3-level high entrance container, perfectly setting up the social media shot where you announce your arrival and jio all your friends to come on down as well. 

A lush row of vine-entwined arches, for ethereal tunnel shots straight out of a fairytale.
Image credit: Artbox

Things to do – 3D-printed accessories, jagua tattoos & perfume workshops

Within Artbox is a 12,000 sq ft play space named The Garden of Creation, where art and creative expression is made accessible to all. Throughout the 2 weekends of Artbox’s run, there will be a series of arts and crafts sessions which you’ll be hard-pressed to find anywhere else.

Try your hand at 3D-printing to create one-of-a-kind accessories, get some temporary ink with jagua tattoos or spritz on a new signature scent at a perfumery workshop. 

Image credit: @mylenemolo

Other activities include:

• Leather crafting
• Watercolour workshop
• Gel printing on tote bags
• Woodworking jewellery
• Mini pottery painting
• Book binding

For those with a penchant for delectable fragrances, make sure to venture through a 40ft shipping container called Heart of Eden, an immersive walk-through experience where floral scents fill the air and delight your senses.

Retail booths from Thailand, Taiwan, Hong Kong & Indonesia

Whether you’re looking to pick up some fresh threads and gorgeous accessories to match, or are browsing #aesthetic trinkets to spruce your living and working spaces with, the wide retail line-up at Artbox screams “shopping spree”.

Image credit: Artbox

We’re stoked that many of the booths will be offering exclusive international merch, giving you a chance to touch and feel the wares and cop whatever tickles your fancy without having to await overseas shipping.

Image credit: @pestlemortarclothing

Pestle & Mortar Clothing from Kuala Lumpur, for instance, are launching a merch capsule exclusively at Artbox. Within it holds all-new, limited edition T-shirt designs and accessories you won’t be able to get ahold of elsewhere. No better way of upping your street cred!

Image adapted from @ameraincoat: LHS, RHS

Stay dry AND fashionable at the same time with designer raincoats from Ame, a brand from Bandung, Indonesia.

Image credit: patti.felli

Based in Jakarta, Patti Felli Immortalises your most precious moments with meticulously handmade 3D pop-up illustrations.

Image credit: @2nusunglasses

Nothing elevates a casual get-up quite like a snazzy pair of sunnies, and Hong Kong eyewear brand 2nu Sunglasses will have you set with their sleek, yet ultra functional and protective designs.

Other vendors on-site include:

Image adapted from: @loma.whale, @moonset_official, @thevoyagerlabel & @stonedge.sg

• LOMA.WHALE, Thailand: Minimalist apparel
• Moonset, Thailand: streetwear-influenced bags
• The Voyager Label, Singapore: wallets and bags in various shapes
• STONEDGE, Singapore: stone-pot plants and succulents

Image adapted from: @de_artoo, Like Too, Ponsay Catnip & Vintage1961

• De Artoo, Malaysia: customisable temporary tattoos
• Like Too, Taiwan: cloth accessories in cutesy designs
• Ponsay Catnip, Taiwan: toys and accessories for pets
• Vintage 1961, Hong Kong: old-school clothing and accessories
  

Things to eat – Thai street food, fusion beef cubes & sparkling cold brew mocktails

Image credit: Artbox

To a nation of foodies, Artbox is pretty much a gourmet paradise. Saunter through the aisles as mouth-watering aromas waft to the high heavens, with booths peddling an array of bite-sized snacks, street-style mains as well as refreshing beverages and desserts to beat the heat.

Image adapted from Eatbook & @dumdumthaidrinks.sg

Given that Thailand is the birthplace of the now acclaimed Artbox, you can’t go wrong with Thai cuisine. Be it authentic dishes or new-age fusion, keep a lookout for minced basil pork donburi rice bowls, Thai tea cream puffs from Kazo, “dirty” Thai green tea lattes from Dum Dum Thai Drinks and other concoctions that’ll satisfy your food cravings from The Land Of Smiles.

Image credit: @beefbro_sg

A must-try stall at all food bazaar events, Beef Bro is bringing a Thai twist to their signature meat offerings. Try the exclusive Tom Yam Wagyu Burger and Pad Phat Kaphrao Beef Cubes, the latter is spiced with addictive Thai chilli and basil.

Image credit: @gryphontea

Quench your thirst with some Sparkling Cold Brew Mocktails courtesy of Gryphon Tea. Served in LED cups, they make for an ideal photo prop when the sun goes down. With the eco-wave in full effect, the Gryphon Tea booth is also giving away free reusable straw sets with each purchase of their Cold Brew Bottles, while stocks last.

Other food booths to check out include:

Image adapted from @foodiepunk, @fullisnotasin, @chen_linglong & Eatbook

• Hot Star Fried Chicken: crispy chicken fillet with exclusive Artbox tom yam flavour
• Sin福 (Sinful): cold soba noodles with toppings like truffle and mentaiko
• 独门花甲 (Dumen): famous Malaysian street-style clam soup
• Chun Cui He: flavoured milk teas

Indulge in music and art with live bands and portrait sketching

Image credit: @cloakwork

Delve into an eclectic world of art through a diverse range of mediums. Born and raised in Kuala Lumpur, the renowned graffiti artist Cloakwork will be demonstrating a live spray painting artwork sesh.

Over at the Stranger’s Portrait zone, you can either sketch a portrait of an Artbox guest through a randomly chosen, existing polaroid photo or snap a polaroid of yourself and leave it in the box for someone to sketch. A new and artistic way to break the ice among fellow Artbox visitors and forge organic connections!

If you’d prefer to leave the portrait sketching to the pros, Thai students will be present on-site to provide adorable caricature illustrations.

Jb Purida Duo Band, one of the Thai bands who will be performing.
Image credit: YouTube

In terms of music, 2 bands will be jetting down from Thailand to serenade us with their melodious vocals and live instruments. This is on top of a line-up of local bands and singers, who will be taking the stage under the twinkling stars and fairy lights for maximum chill vibes.

How to get to Artbox Singapore 2019

Moving away from its original Marina Bay home to a more spacious setting at Singapore Turf Club’s The Grounds@Kranji, Artbox 2019 is accessible through several modes of public transport.

MRT
Kranji MRT, Exit A
Walk along the sheltered walkway to Carpark B

Bus
160, 170, 178, 925, 960 and 961
Alight at Woodlands Road either opposite Kranji MRT station or in front of the Kranji MRT station

Taxi/Grab
Alight at the drop-off point at the entrance of the Upper Grandstand

Driving
Park at Singapore Turf Club, Carpark B

Admission is free, so head down if you’re stumped on weekend plans and soak up the carefree vibes while pretending to be on a mini Bangkok getaway. 

Tip: A different set of vendors will be on-site each weekend, so make sure to swing by both rounds to ensure you don’t miss out on something spectacular throughout this long-awaited annual affair. 

Find out more about Artbox Singapore 2019: Eden here

This post was brought to you by Artbox.