Greek Masterpieces from the Louvre @ National Museum of Singapore

Thanks to Tan Chin Tuan Foundation (TCTF) sponsorship, at least 3,000 young, old and underprivileged people will have a rare chance to see Greek masterpieces from the famous Louvre Museum in Paris right here in Singapore.

Here’s a rare opportunity to view Classical Greek masterpieces from the renowned Louvre museum right here in Singapore! Presented for the first time in Southeast Asia, some 130 exquisite pieces such as the marbles from the Nointel collection, the statues from the royal collection and precious vases, terracotta figurines and gold jewellery from the 5th to the 1st centuries BCE will bring to life the story of Athens.

Especially for those who have always been fascinated with Greek mythology and the lives of ancient Greeks, this exhibition of magnificent artworks, some as old as 2000 years, is not to be missed.

The Tan Chin Tuan Foundation is the Official Partner of the Exhibition of Greek Masterpieces from the Louvre (9 Dec 2007 – 16 Mar 2008). TCTF gift towards this Exhibition is S$150,000.

But beyond giving cash, as a 2008 New Year gift to its beneficiaries and in celebration of the Birth Centennial Year of Tan Chin Tuan in 2008, TCTF is extending the reach of this exquisite exhibition to ordinary Singaporeans - in particular, to at least 3,000 of the many deserving beneficiaries TCTF supports each year.

“Not every Singaporean will have a chance to visit the Louvre Museum in Paris to view these exhibits in their lifetime. Bringing the exhibits here enables Singaporeans young and old, as well as the less privileged, to enjoy and come face-to-face with Greek heritage and culture, from which much of modern civilisation arose,” said Ms Yap Su-Yin, Programme Director, Tan Chin Tuan Foundation.

From January 08 to 16 March 08, non-profit groups TCTF donates to are invited to bring beneficiaries, volunteers and staff who are keen - by chartered buses paid by TCTF - to the museum for the free excursion and guided tour provided by the museum’s volunteer docents.

To aggregate resources together as catalyst and driver, not just a donor, TCTF has taken the initiative to link other recipients of TCTF donations - namely the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (Nafa), and the National Book Development Council of Singapore (a.k.a the Book Council) - with the National Museum to roll out additional community outreach activities during the Exhibition.

As a result, professional storytellers from the Book Council will share fascinating Greek myths and legends for free to the public. And, Nafa will involve its students to offer interactive sessions between audience and “statues” under a programme called “If Statues Could Talk”.

In sharing TCTF Philosophy of Giving, TCTF enables the Arts and Heritage to reach beyond niche groups, so that it fires the imagination of the young, the old, and the less privileged. TCTF is happy to be able to share this opportunity with the local and foreign community here, and help inject greater vibrancy in the arts and heritage sector in Singapore.

Presented by the National Museum of Singapore, Greek Masterpieces from the Louvre is a rare treat for art and history lovers in this part of the world. The Louvre rarely loans out more than a dozen items at any one time but has made an exception due to extensive refurbishment to the section containing its Classical Greek and Hellenistic collection. The last time the Louvre changed its Greek and Hellenistic galleries was some 200 years ago.

For more information on the exhibition and the latest programming details, please visit
www.nationalmuseum.sg.

Edited and Photography by Eugene Tang. All Rights Reserved.

Admission
$8.00 per adult; $4.00 for children, elderly and NSF
Gallery packages at $15 per person grants admission to Greek Masterpieces from the Louvre as well as the permanent galleries.

Also available: 140-page colour catalogue (soft cover) retailing at $22.50 (inclusive of GST)

Free Gallery Guided Tours of Greek Masterpieces from the Louvre

English
Mondays to Fridays: 10am & 4pm daily* (excluding 20 Dec 07 to 4 Jan 08) Saturdays and Sundays: 11am, 2.30pm, 3pm, 4pm daily

Mandarin
Saturdays and Sundays: 11.30am, 3.30pm

Japanese
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays: 1.30pm (From 15 Dec 07, excluding 21 Dec 07 – 6 Jan 08 and 5 – 11 Feb 08)

*Special Thematic Tours conducted in English:

7 Jan 08 – 1 Feb 08

Fast, Fit and Furious: The Olympics in Ancient Greece
Every Monday, 4pm

The World of the Gods: Tales of Love, Adventure and Heroes
Every Wednesday, 4pm

That’s Showbiz: The Origins of Theatre and Drama
Every Friday, 10am

4 Feb 08 – 15 Feb 08

Love Among the Ruins
Every Monday & Wednesday, 4pm Every Friday, 10am

Meeting point for all tours will be at the entrance of Exhibition Galleries. Tours are subject to the availability of volunteer guides and limited to 15 participants per will be about 45 to 90 minutes.