There's always something brewing in Singapore! November has only just started but we’re already starting it with a bang. ? The HHWT team was invited to a media preview of The Doraemon Exhibition (pronounced “Do-Ra-Eh-Mon”) at The National Museum of Singapore which happens to be its first international exhibition outside of Japan! As someone who grew up reading all 45 volumes of the Doraemon manga multiple times, this opportunity was as good as gold to me. Here’s everything I enjoyed and you can too! ✨
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THE DORAEMON EXHIBITION SINGAPORE 2022 ©Fujiko-Pro / Image credit: HHWT
Happening from 5 November 2022 to 5 February 2023, there are 2 Acts to the exhibition with works by a total of 28 leading contemporary Japanese artists and arts groups who were invited to create their own unique version of Doraemon based on their personal memories of the adorable blue cat. ? It was very exciting to see all the love and appreciation from the Museum staff to the talented artists' creative works!
Stepping into the gallery, we were greeted by a MASSIVE pink Doraemon figure made out of candies and trinkets. It even had its tongue out! ? I was so impressed by this art piece that I made circles around it at least 3 times to look at the intricate details that went into creating this adorable goliath. The artist explains that his inspiration behind this piece was to spread love in a world filled with war and hate.
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Jahan Loh, Intergalactic Voyagers and Teleportation Art: Series 1 & 2 (2022), THE DORAEMON EXHIBITION SINGAPORE 2022 ©Fujiko-Pro. Image credit: National Museum of Singapore.
We also managed to get up close to the creative works of 2 local artists, Jahan Loh and Leslie Kee who expressed their love for Doraemon through contemporary art of a very grand stature! Jahan Loh’s works show us the past, present and future - anyone who’s a fan of Doraemon would be familiar with how the character is known for its time-travel escapades. One of his sculptures even imagines himself using one of Doraemon’s magical devices, while harnessing the power of art, science, and technology to explore the past, present and future, with Doraemon by his side. Jahan explained it was intended to look like ‘it had been dug up from the past’. ?
Leslie Kee, ‘Imagine’ (2022), THE DORAEMON EXHIBITION SINGAPORE 2022 ©Fujiko-Pro _ Image credit_ National Museum of Singapore
Photographer Leslie Kee showcased an artwork titled, IMAGINE, which envisions a world of ‘Love, Peace, One, You, Me, Doraemon’ which featured nine different models sporting Tom Brown’s Thom Browne’s Fall 2022 collection. It was very exciting to see the large display meant for the viewer to decide what their own Doraemon meant to them!
This art piece gave me the chance to reminisce about what Doraemon means to me. As we know, Nobita is the main character of the series. He’s a little cowardly and needs guidance from Doraemon in each episode/chapter! ? I envision myself as Nobita and so my Doraemon would be the people in my life who give me courage to try harder in whatever I do. It could be anyone, my colleagues at work, my family at home, or even strangers I meet in passing! My Doraemon changes everyday. I would say… People are my Doraemon? ?
Gallery shot of MANGA Doraemon Original Drawings Exhibition, MANGA DORAEMON Original Drawings Exhibition ©Fujiko-Pro_ Image credit_ National Museum of Singapore.
While this is a ticketed exhibition, the public has access to see the co-creator and artist behind Doraemon, the late Fujiko’s sketches and work process! We were told that Fujiko was a big fan of dinosaurs and the prehistoric, which eventually made its way into his work. ? And because this series was created in the 1980s before the advancements in technology, we learnt that he would use correction tape to correct his sketches, and paste pieces of paper over the words in the speech bubbles to edit! Makes me feel like we’re a little too spoiled living in 2022. ?
Doraemon-themed Café by Toraya Confectionery, THE DORAEMON EXHIBITION SINGAPORE 2022 ©Fujiko-Pro _ Image credit_ National Museum of Singapore.
Even if you don’t have a ticket, you’ll ALSO get access to the pop-up cafe and merchandise booth! The Doraemon lover in me couldn't wait to sink my teeth into the authentic Dorayakis (which are Doraemon’s favourite food!) which have been branded with the cute bell! It’s Muslim-friendly to enjoy, with no eggs or milk! ? For $6.90 each, you can get a taste of delicious freshly made Dorayaki. It’s unlike any other I’ve had before so I’d recommend you pick one up before you leave the museum. You can also snag a couple of Doraemon merchandise inspired by the creative art pieces in the exhibition!
I could really feel the love and enthusiasm for Doraemon as we walked through the galleries. The community is really passionate and everyone seems to have a personal connection and story to tell when it comes to this lovable character. ? I would HIGHLY recommend you visit if you love the series and want to have a nostalgic experience! It’s worth the trip and definitely worth the ticket price of $30!
The Doraemon Exhibition Singapore 2022
Address: 93 Stamford Road, Singapore 178897
Duration: 5 November 2022 to 5 February 2023
Opening hours: Open daily; 10AM-7PM