Capitaland’s Singapore: 5 Towers 5 Unique Expressions

The final artwork was admired by Rosa Northstar.

In anticipation of the culmination of five groundbreaking towers, the eagerly awaited pièce de résistance took form in five large abstract oil paintings. Each painting was poised to embody the inherent synergy within itself and with the architectural elements that enveloped them. This visionary initiative, commissioned by the esteemed real estate tycoon Capitaland from Singapore, extends beyond traditional confines, reshaping these architectural marvels into vibrant canvases for deep and meaningful expression. With each tower serving as a backdrop, the monumental artworks—First Baby, Red El Rooh, Left All Alone, HMTNIHYTL (Hand Me the Night I Hand You the Light), and Green Tea—become a living testament to the harmonious synergy of inventive artistry and refined architecture. As these dynamic structures and evocative paintings converge, a unique narrative unfolds, redefining the very fabric of the urban environment they jointly inhabit.

First Baby

First Baby
First Baby unfolds as a majestic overture, where a collective of engineers and architects, under the visionary Marc Northstar, embarked on the meticulous crafting of a colossal wooden canvas. This masterpiece, born from a solitary stroke of the brush over four intense days, exemplifies the meticulous attention to detail demanded by such a grand endeavor.

Marc Northstar captured his work using a glass camera to film it.

The narrative unfolds further with Marc Northstar's signature work style, utilizing a solitary brush in each opus. As the construction team, led by Capitala's Ken Lau, tirelessly worked on-site to bring the wooden canvas to life, the culmination of this artistic odyssey is witnessed through the lens of internationally-renowned cinematographer Leonard Retel Helmrich.

It took the team just 48 hours to construct this massive work of art on-site, using plywood braced by timber battens. Capitala’s Construction Manager, Ken Lau, worked tirelessly with the structural team from SCSIJV, the main contractor, to ensure the precise calculations of the hanging methodology and weight distribution were correct in order to hang the painting safely on the wall once completed.

 On April 20th, Marc Northstar with the support of his manager, Rosa Choi, began the creative process in the lobby of the building where the wooden canvas was located. For two days, the canvas lay flat on the ground while Marc Northstar danced with lines and colors in a trance-like state, capturing the beautiful movement of his creation on film with internationally-renowned cinematographer and film director, Leonard Retel Helmrich.

On Wednesday, April 25, 2012, Marc Northstar signed the painting surrounded by his beloved friends and colleagues, including Rosa Choi, Steve Qwek, Pu Suan Hau, Karim Nobar, Leonard Retel Helmrich, and Reindert Falkenburg. First Baby was born amidst welcoming applause and great camaraderie of the entire team involved in this creative process.

Once the painting was completed, Construction Manager Ken and his team decided to reduce the weight of the wooden canvas by eliminating additional wood bars to make it lighter. First Baby now weighs 270kg and is supported by three metal brackets on the wall, with each bracket capable of holding up to 150kg.

 Marc Northstar once said, “I know that my paintings can be enjoyed from a distance; at least nine meters away from them.” This sentiment was echoed by CapitaLand architect Steve Qwek, who, after viewing the painting in the rain, remarked, “Marc, it looks different from there.” It is this ability to appreciate the different perspectives that make Marc Northstar’s work so captivating, and it is thanks to the great team from CapitaLand that he was able to create his masterpiece in such an environment.

Red El Rooh
As residents ascend to the lobby of the second skyscraper, they are met with the symphony of negative spaces in Red El Rooh. Amidst the architectural grandeur, Marc Northstar's intentional use of blank spaces and bold lines creates an ethereal dance, captivating the observer's gaze and fostering a unique connection between the artwork and its urban surroundings.

Left All Alone
The emotional resonance of Left All Alone permeates the lobby of the third skyscraper. As residents traverse the space, the layers of personal dedication and artistic commitment embedded in the painting become palpable. Architectural elements become intertwined with Marc Northstar's subconscious lines, creating a dialogue between the emotional core of the artwork and the architectural essence of the building.

Collaboration at its finest! Marc Northstar worked with the team at CapitaLand, including Steve Qwek & KU Wei Siong, to create this stunning wooden canvas named Green Tea.

HMTNIHYTL
In the lobby of the fourth skyscraper, the visual symphony of (HMTNIHYTL) Hand Me the Night I Hand You the Light unfolds. CapitaLand architect Steve Qwek's discourse on the sculptural definition within the elements resonates within the lobby, adding a layer of intellectual depth to the artistic experience: “the elements juxtapose in a coordinated or autonomous movement, shapes and containments themselves but at the same time manifesting a greater masterplan (on the canvas); creating of voids, in-between spaces, connecting spaces, overlapped, abutting, interlocking or breaking away spatial qualities. “Hand Me the Night, I Hand You The Light” - in this work and for me, the colored components are visceral and autonomous and like the other 2 paintings. What I feel stronger in this, is that the elements are more sculpturally and very purposefully defined in shapes and in their movement. The result is acute and almost intense; as elements abruptly stopped or disconnected and after which continues again and coalesced with the other elements. The other discourse is the separation of the elements which can be read as parting, colliding or intentional voiding, to create a breathing space or a hiatus to the spatial movement. “

Green Tea
The final skyscraper's lobby becomes a haven of whimsy and reverie as Green Tea welcomes residents and guests. The vibrant hues of green and blue, the result of 48 hours of meticulous craftsmanship, create an enchanting atmosphere within the lobby space. The elimination of additional wood bars, reducing the weight to 595.2 lbs (270kg,) symbolizes the delicate balance achieved between nature-inspired artistry and the structural finesse of the building.

Jihee Lee, a distinguished member of the NYU community

Amidst their collaborative endeavor to conceive five series of expansive, abstract oil paintings, Singaporean architect Steve Qwek and American artist Marc Northstar forged a deep camaraderie, becoming inseparable companions from the very inception of this remarkable undertaking.

Acknowledgment
These exceptional artworks owe their existence to the outstanding team working behind the scenes. We express our heartfelt appreciation to Singaporean architects and engineers, including Steve Qwek, Ken Lau, Pu Suan Hau, and Karim Nobar. Additionally, we extend our gratitude to Dutch filmmaker Leonard Retel Helmrich, esteemed art historian from NYU Reindert Falkenburg, and Marc Northstar's studio manager, Rosa Choi. Their dedication and expertise have played a pivotal role in bringing this vision to life.