Gillman Gets Goofy

IT'S NOT OFTEN that a public art show in Singapore can slap a goofy smile on your face. But that's exactly what the inaugural DISINI Festival does.

Set along the stretch of Gillman Barracks, the art festival has several big installations that range from the deadpan to the downright wacky. Curated by artistic director Khai Hori and organised by Chan + Hori Contemporary gallery in partnership with National Arts Council, they offer a mischievous contrast to the serious art adorning the walls of the surrounding galleries. They seem to say collectively: "Lighten up - it's just art."

The biggest installation is a giant pink pineapple in the carpark on Lock Road. The pineapple is actually a house. And with the right permission, you can climb the stairs to get to the second floor and look down on the sea of pink and yellow chairs surrounding the pineapple. There's even a pool next to the pineapple. But don't try jumping into the water because - shhh! - it's really just a painting of a pool on the ground. You'd hurt yourself.