A museum's disappearing act

NOW you see it, now you don't. The Singapore Art Museum (SAM) is physically disappearing and reappearing in temporary spaces.

Its current Bras Basah premises in the former Saint Joseph's Institution and Catholic High School buildings has been undergoing renovations for two years. It was originally set to reopen later this year, but the pandemic has pushed that date back by five years. ("The move is in line with the government's efforts to exercise prudence in these challenging times," says the press statement.)

So the museum is taking an unusual step of rolling out a campaign called SAM M.I.A. - which means "Museum In Action", but also a play on "Missing In Action". It is scattering itself in several places, appearing in a large temporary warehouse space in Tanjong Pagar Distripark (TPD) and popping up in libraries and tourist attractions.