Coming full circle

This year, forget vying for a seat with a view to the fireworks on National Day. Instead, traipse through national monument, the Tanjong Pagar Railway Station, and be met with a celebration of life and local flavours. From 1 to 12 August, visitors to The Gift of Time exhibition by Hermès are invited to step into a dreamlike space and travel into a circular walk-through display of a chronological journey. American artist, scenographer and poet, Hilton McConnico, enacts the story of Hermès time through kaleidoscopic, poetic displays tinted with light-hearted humour, and a series of sensory discoveries.

At the end of the turn, take another walk of the culinary kind through four pop up cafes featuring brands born and bred on home ground. Chef Daniel Tay of Bakerzin is on a personal quest to revive the recipes that carved a name for Seng Choong Confectionery, the bakery founded by his father. In addition to recreating delectable pastries like apple pie, rock bun and bu luo kaya bun, Tay will also showcase kitchen techniques of yesteryear through a demonstration of Chinese desserts such as red bean, and barley with bean curd soup.

A one-off specialty menu will be specially crafted for The U Café’s pop-up stand, where Melbourne-trained barista and chef, Vincent Teng of The Plain Café, will pull expert shots for Wicked Coffee and MiPi, a distinctly local milo-kopi blend. Popaganda’s 100 percent natural iced pops are a soothing salve for the muggy weather and blistering heat. Cool off with a tropical selection of flavours like Lychee Jasmine Tea, Lemongrass Yong Coconut, Matcha Mango, Peach Melba, Pineapple Passionfruit, and our favourite, the tangy Lemon Olive Oil. Lastly, for a nostalgic throwback to the simpler joys of childhood, stop by Munch Munch and stash a range of forgotten but cherished tidbits including the colourful crowns of Ice Gems, Butterfly and Flying Fish biscuits.

The Gift of Time exhibition runs from 1 to 12 August, 11am to 9pm daily, at Tanjong Pagar Railway Station.