3D projection show at SG50 countdown
PUBLISHED ONDecember 27, 2014 2:18 AMByLester Hio
SINGAPORE - Count down to Singapore's Golden Jubilee year by enjoying a 3D display of iconic images from the Republic's past.
The 2015 New Year countdown at Marina Bay will feature, for the first time, a 3D projection mapping display on the facade of The Fullerton Hotel, as well as the usual crowd-pleasing fireworks.
Jointly organised by the Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay and the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), the 3D display will feature a montage of sketches and graphics of Singapore's growth.
It begins with iconic images of Singapore's past, like kampungs and samsui women, before moving on to images of modernity like the city skyline and a Singapore Airlines plane.
The public can catch a two-minute preview of the 3D display every half hour from 8.15pm to 11.15pm from tonight to Tuesday night, at The Fullerton Hotel.
On New Year's Eve, a three-minute extended version of the display, along with a two-minute show of five key historical milestones of Singapore will be shown as a prelude to the countdown.
Singapore celebrates its 50th anniversary as an independent nation next year.
The display will not be the only light show that night.
Five buildings that are part of the city skyline around Marina Bay - Ocean Financial Centre, OCBC Centre, Maybank Tower, One Raffles Place and Millenia Tower - will also display synchronised themed lighting. These buildings will be lit in red and white and feature the number 50.
Mr Jason Chen, URA's director for place management, said: "This countdown is special because we expect more than 300,000 people to take part in the first official celebration of SG50.
"It will be a great opportunity for everyone to gather around the bay on New Year's Eve to reflect on how much we have progressed as a nation."
To further celebrate SG50, the perennial crowd favourite - the fireworks display - will include a new musical twist.
The eight-minute fireworks show will be choreographed to a score by Singapore musicians Julian Wong and Riduan Zalani.
To add to the fanfare, a group of about 400 drummers will perform live at the same time as the fireworks, timing their drumbeats to the fiery displays in the sky.
The drummers will also perform earlier in the evening at DrumGaia at the lower boardwalk in front of the Marina Bay Sands Event Plaza.
This year's countdown will also include the largest number of wishing spheres in Marina Bay.
A total of 25,000 red and white wishing spheres, which will be lit today, will form the number 50 on the waters of the bay.
Other events for revellers include a carnival at the promontory and a bazaar at the Marina waterfront, as well as ticketed concerts and performances such as Celebrate With The World 2015 and Celebrate SG50.
lesterh@sph.com.sg
This article was first published on December 27, 2014.
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