Cover Stories: Singapore in Circles and Steel is the outcome of Kay Saputra’s residency at INSTINC’s Artist-in-Residence program, where he presents a series of screen-printed works inspired by the diverse manhole cover designs found throughout Singapore. Rooted in his ongoing semi-research during travels across Asia, Kay began with a hypothesis: that walkable cities with accessible public transportation often reflect a higher level of care in the design of public infrastructures. Among these overlooked elements are manhole covers, a ubiquitous objects encountered on any pedestrian journey. His fascination with manhole covers was first sparked by Japanese pop culture, where a niche yet enthusiastic community celebrates the artistry of such everyday infrastructure. This curiosity led him to observe and document manhole covers in various cities across Indonesia and other Asian countries. In cities like Bangkok, Seoul, and Hong Kong, he noted a distinct correlation between transit accessibility and the aesthetic attention given to public utilities. When Kay arrived in Singapore, he was presented with a notable divergence. Beyond tourist-centric areas like Gardens by the Bay, Joo Chiat Heritage Town, and Orchard Road, most manhole covers were utilitarian, bearing only agency stamps or service company logos, with minimal decorative effort. Rather than viewing this as a contradiction, the experience prompted a shift in perspective. For Kay, these plain covers began to reveal something deeper. In contrast to the ornate designs found elsewhere, Singapore’s manhole covers mirror the city’s values: speed, functionality, and efficiency. Here, beauty is not prioritized in objects that already fulfill their purpose, a reflection, perhaps, of a culture that prizes utility over embellishment. Through this body of work, Kay Saputra invites viewers to reconsider the overlooked and often invisible aspects of the built environment. His screen-prints do not merely document manhole covers, they render visible the ideological underpinnings of urban design and the cultural narratives encoded in material surfaces. / About Artist / Kay Saputra (b. 2001) is an Indonesian artist based between Jakarta and Yogyakarta. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts with a focus on Printmaking from Institut Seni Indonesia Yogyakarta. Beyond his academic training, he deepened his practice at Krack! Printmaking Studio, a leading contemporary printmaking space in Yogyakarta, where he refined both his technical skills and artistic vision. He is also a member of Titik Kumpul Forum, a Yogyakarta-based art collective composed of 12 other artists. Kay’s recent works explore fragments of space time encountered during his transit across Asia. Through a distinct and curious lens, he explores how visual elements and design in everyday life both consciously and unconsciously reflect the cultural environments that shape them. By recontextualizing these fragments into his visual practice, he is paying homage to the inanimate, the mundane, and the overlooked, encouraging a deeper appreciation for the ordinary. / About INSTINC Space / Founded in 2004 by artist Yeo Shih Yun, INSTINC stands as a leading artist-run-institution based in Singapore. With a distinguished presence in the arts ecosystem, INSTINC diligently sustains the growth of contemporary art through exhibitions, residency programs and curations. Their esteemed Artist-in-Residence program has cultivated invaluable regional and international networks from 2009 to now. INSTINC is celebrated for producing immersive, large-scale exhibitions that encompass installation, new media, performance, painting and sculpture, showcasing the diverse range of artistic expressions. Notable collaborations include partnerships with renowned brands such as Volvo and Guinness, further demonstrating INSTINC's commitment to fostering cross-disciplinary exchanges. Moreover, INSTINC takes immense pride in organizing the highly anticipated INSTINC D:Art Festival 2022, generously supported by UOB Bank and the NAC start fund. Delve into a diverse array of captivating exhibitions and projects curated by INSTINC, featuring stunning installations, innovative new media works, mesmerizing performances, evocative paintings, and captivating sculptures. With expertises in exhibition curation, commissioned works and brand alliances, INSTINC endeavors as a vital presence in the cultivation of contemporary art.

Information Source: INSTINC Art space | eventbrite

Singapore

Searching for information and tickets regarding Opening Reception, Cover Stories: Singapore in Circles and Steel | INSTINC Space taking place in Singapore on May 28, 2025 (UTC+8)? Trip.com has you covered. Check the dates, itineraries, and other information about Opening Reception, Cover Stories: Singapore in Circles and Steel | INSTINC Space now! Trip.com has also prepared more similar exciting activities and discounted flight and hotel packages.

Opening Reception, Cover Stories: Singapore in Circles and Steel | INSTINC Space: Tickets, Dates & Itineraries | Trip.com

Opening Reception, Cover Stories: Singapore in Circles and Steel | INSTINC Space

Opening Reception, Cover Stories: Singapore in Circles and Steel | Trip.com

null | Trip.com

Spread the word! Share your result with friends and discover their opinions!

Night view

_TI***8d

i was there with work permit, so i lived in Singapore almost 2yrs. Singapore is with a multicultural population and in recognition of the cultural identities of the major ethnic groups within the nation. was an amazing experience to live there.

Tanjong Pagar

Crystal lightsz

One of the popular spot in Tanjong Pagar area is The Pinnacle＠Duxton Sky Garden 50th Storey Skybridge.  Best skyline view in Singapore .

Raffles Singapore

Luxury Hotels

Resorts World Sentosa - Equarius Villas

Near Universal Studios Singapore|Sentosa Island, Singapore

Family Hotels

Universal Studios Singapore

Immediate access

Book now for today

Best Things to Do

Amusement parks

Olesik

It&#39;s the best park ever. It usually takes about 40 minutes to queue. However, it&#39;s worth it! Go ahead and try it! If you take some bottles of water , you can easily refill them with water for free. Ice cream is delicious,  Shrek waffles are delicious! There is free internet access. I do recommend you to download a special app for Sintosa Universal park , which will help you to check the waiting time.

Gardens by the Bay

Anonymous User

It was my first time to visit Singapore and my first time to travel by myself. I was very satisfied with the guide. The Flower Dome and Cloud Forest in particular brought me so many unexpected surprises and satisfied my imagination of a garden city. The Cloud Forest was very challenging and surprising at its height.

Capella Singapore

Cultural Hotels

Marina Bay Sands Singapore

Near Marina Bay Sands|Marina Bay, Singapore

Instagrammable Hotels

The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore

Night Safari

M52***78

It&rsquo;s fun to watch the performance, the sound effect is good, and there will be staff with small animals around you. It&rsquo;s just that this small train is not sitting. I can&rsquo;t see anything at night. The surrounding animals are far away and stinky. . .

Skyline Luge Singapore

Cable car

AngelaSmith

Very fun, 4 laps just right, I didn&rsquo;t notice the screen of the helmet, I thought that everyone bought an electronic ticket there and didn&rsquo;t go to see it. As a result, my helmet was not scanned and I couldn&rsquo;t see my video photos. Then I went to the helmet to scan and I couldn&rsquo;t find the helmet I was wearing. 

Sentosa

Natural scenery

205***26

Sentosa Island is very good, the theme park has more projects, Jurassic Park, Xiaohuangren, etc. On the island, the ecology is mainly good, there are many birds, and I have seen seagulls, peacocks and lizards. The accommodation is more expensive. The hotel does not provide breakfast. Others are OK.

Time:	May 28, 2025 (UTC+8) ENDED
Location:	INSTINC Space

Opening Reception, Cover Stories: Singapore in Circles and Steel | INSTINC Space

Details

Vote

Are you interested in Opening Reception, Cover Stories: Singapore in Circles and Steel?

Recommended Products for Opening Reception, Cover Stories: Singapore in Circles and Steel | INSTINC Space

Singapore

Tanjong Pagar

Raffles Singapore

Resorts World Sentosa - Equarius Villas

Universal Studios Singapore

Gardens by the Bay

Capella Singapore

Marina Bay Sands Singapore

The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore

Night Safari

Skyline Luge Singapore

Sentosa

Opening Reception, Cover Stories: Singapore in Circles and Steel | INSTINC Space

Details

Vote

Are you interested in Opening Reception, Cover Stories: Singapore in Circles and Steel?

Recommended Products for Opening Reception, Cover Stories: Singapore in Circles and Steel | INSTINC Space

Singapore

Tanjong Pagar

Raffles Singapore

Resorts World Sentosa - Equarius Villas

Universal Studios Singapore

Gardens by the Bay

Capella Singapore

Marina Bay Sands Singapore

The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore

Night Safari

Skyline Luge Singapore

Sentosa

More contents about Singapore