We may not all understand the same language around the world, but one thing that everyone can relate to is none other than: emoji. When words fail, these icons speak.
The first ever emoji-themed pop-up exhibit in Singapore is happening at Marina Square. Mark your calendar for 31st May – 16th June 2019 at the Central Atrium, before it moves over to the Marina Foyer between 17th June – 31st August 2019.
Look forward to seeing your favourite emoji™ icons come to life in the form of, photo opportunities at 10 photo-taking stations and meet and greet sessions. Plus, shop or dine at Marina Square and you’ll get to redeem exclusive emoji premiums like cushions, thermal flasks and tote bags.
It was quite a surreal experience to see the emoji icons I so often rely on during texting jump out of my screen to become larger than life figurines at 10 photo taking stations.
With each of the stations offering different Instagram opportunities, it’s recommended to start from Station 1 to make sure you don’t miss out on anything. Here are some of the stations to whip out your cameras and phones for.
Station #2 – Know your emoji Board
A must visit is the emoji board where you’ll finally know the official meaning behind each emoji.
While here, marvel at how we now have the privilege of a wide range of emoji to express ourselves with – from the silly Dizzy Face, to the uhm, Constipated Face. We’ve truly come a long way from just having the trinity of “Happy”, “Sad” and “Angry”.
Station #3 – fantasy booth featuring unicorns and mermaids
The unicorn and mermaid emoji have helped us to add a touch of magic to our social media captions, and here, they get a rightfully-deserved station of their own.
Venture under the sea and ‘transform’ into a mermaid or snap pictures with rainbows and unicorns
Station #5: 15 x 3D emoji
Here, 15 of the most recognisable emojis sit in rows for your interaction – chope your favourite one to snap a picture with!
There’s enough space in between each 3D emoji to ensure you won’t get photobombed and secure that photo for the ’gram. No prizes for guessing what I captioned mine with 😉
Station 6: emoji Monkey Photo Wall
See no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil at the emoji Monkey Photo Wall. These cut-outs front a photo booth with a tropical setting at the back.
Getting a personal pic for yourself is cute enough, but grab two of your best pals to join on the fun to really complete a group picture with matching poses.
Station 9: Ball pit photo opp
Once you’ve completed the photo stations, it’s time to dive into the ball pit! Lay back, and try not to sink in the pool of white and yellow balls.
You can even “float” on one of the giant inflatables provided. Plus, they double up as photo companions.
If you want to grab the rare chance of meeting a life-sized emoji, be sure to time your arrival for every Saturday and Sunday between the 1st – 16th June at 3PM and 7PM to meet and greet* 3 of them.
Never would I have imagined meeting a poo that’s taller than me!
*Limited to first 70 families per session on a first-come-first-served basis
Besides all the photo-taking you’d want to save your phone’s storage space for, there’s also premiums that will be given away.
Enter the Instagram contest happening over 6 sessions for a chance to win official emoji gifts. Look out for the different qualifying mechanics for each round on Marina Square’s website and Instagram. Dates for each qualifying period:
● 31st May – 16th June 2019
● 17th June – 30th June 2019
● 1st July – 14th July 2019
● 15th July – 28th July 2019
● 29th July – 11th August 2019
● 12th August – 25th August 2019
For the first qualifying round, take a photo with any of the emoji photo stations at the Central Atrium and post it on Instagram with the hashtag, #MSQknowyouremoji to qualify. Remember to set your profile to public.
5 winners will be chosen every qualifying round to win an emoji cushion and an emoji tote bag.
If you don’t want to leave it up to lady luck, a surefire way to bring home emoji goodies is to shop or dine at Marina Square. Once you’ve hit a minimum spend, you can redeem exclusive emoji premiums – the perfect excuse to do some extra shopping this weekend!
Redeem an emoji cushion when you spend a minimum of $180*. Marina Square App members only need to spend $150* to qualify. The redeemable emoji cushion varies each week. Try not to want to collect all, I dare you.
● emoji™ Heart Eyes (31st May – 6th June)
● emoji™ Ghost (7th June – 13th June)
● emoji™ Poo (14th June – 20th June)
● emoji™ Unicorn (21st June – 30th June)
Choose between 2 emoji thermal flask designs with a minimum spend of $150^. Marina Square App members only need to spend $120^ to qualify.
This one was my absolute fave. You get to take home an emoji tote bag and choose from 2 designs with a minimum spend of $150*. Marina Square App members only need to spend $120* to qualify.
The bag is bursting with personality with the quirky doodle-heavy design, and it’s spacious enough to fit books and a laptop inside.
*Up to 3 same-day receipts. Limited to 1 redemption per shopper/member per day, while stocks last.
^Up to 3 same-day receipts, with at least 1 F&B receipt. Limited to 1 redemption per shopper/member per day, while stocks last.
There are also DIY emoji arts and craft and colouring activities for the kiddos, limited to 1 craft per child. They can choose from 8 emoji icons and paste them together to create a photo prop. Not only will the kids get to bring a free souvenir home, but it’ll also be the perfect prop in their pictures at the exhibit.
The emoji icons have been a godsend in our digital world to help us communicate a single thought without having to think of words. It helps that they’re incredibly adorable too.
To enter their world instead, visit Marina Square from 31st May – 31st August 2019. There’s photo ops galore, premiums you can’t miss out on, and the chance to maybe even develop a greater emotional connection to the emoji we use in future.
Address: Marina Square, 6 Raffles Boulevard, Singapore 039594
Dates: 31st May – 31st August 2019
Opening hours: 11AM-10PM
Admission: Free
This post was brought to you by Marina Square.
Photo credit: Pichan Cruz.
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