The World Wide Fund for Nature Singapore (WWF- Singapore)’s AR-mazing Tiger Trail 2022 will take place from Saturday 26th February – Saturday 9th April.
The 3-part island-wide trail zooms in on tiger conservation and other key environmental causes facing the planet today in a bid to use art as a vehicle to educate and spark discussion and action. 33 life-sized tiger sculptures will be exhibited across Singapore, with the iconic decorated cats popping up at the likes of Gardens by the Bay, Jewel Changi, National Gallery, Kampong Glam, The Fullerton Heritage and Sentosa. The sculptures are designed by a collective of internationally acclaimed artists from Singapore and beyond; each presenting a unique perspective on how climate change, poaching and deforestation is affecting tigers in the wild.
The highly-visual, gamified trail encourages visitors to further engage with the sculptures and deepen their understanding of the issues facing tiger conservation through a series of quizzes and Instagram AR filters, which can be unlocked at each sculpture on the trail.
WWF’s Tiger Trail is raising awareness and funding to address the unrelenting decline in tiger populations across Southeast Asia. At the start of the 20th century, 100,000 wild tigers roamed the Earth; today, only around 3,900 wild tigers remain and Southeast Asia is where the big cats face the most urgent crisis. Tigers have disappeared from the wild in Cambodia, Lao PDR and Vietnam within the last 25 years, and at current rates, the Malayan tiger could become extinct within our lifetime. The tigers’ range has reduced by approximately 95%, leaving populations fragmented and isolated. WWF is supporting on-ground work in tiger landscapes that are home to around 80% of the world’ remaining wild tigers.
Beyond the conservation of this magnificent animal, securing tiger landscapes has far-reaching benefits, including the protection of forests which help prevent drought, reduce flooding and mitigate climate change. Tiger landscapes are also home to a multitude of other species such as Asian elephants, orangutans, Asian rhinos, and many more. Further still, by protecting tigers, we are also preserving a cultural and spiritual icon for millions of people across the region. That’s why this Year of the Tiger in 2022 is a once in a 12-year opportunity to come together to secure a future for tigers and the vast wild spaces they inhabit – for the benefit of wildlife, people and our climate.
“WWF-Singapore’s AR-mazing Tiger Trail was curated to encourage fun and creative discussions and promote education on vital issues facing the wild tiger population today. We are delighted to work with the incredible artists and partners on the AR-mazing Tiger Trail. I cannot wait to see our community interact with the Tiger Trail physically and virtually, and to learn more about the plight of these beautiful, culturally iconic species,” said WWF-Singapore’s CEO, Mr. R. Raghunathan.
“It is always an honour to work with WWF. Our mission to curate the Tiger Trail 2022 was particularly uplifting. My invitation to all the incredible artists, both in Singapore and around the world, was met with huge support and excitement. Bringing art and conservation together enabled the artists to show their passion for protecting this magnificent species. Each unique artwork celebrates the majesty, beauty and environmental importance of the tiger. We cannot wait to unveil the full trail.” said Chris Westbrook, Curator and Creative Director of Tiger Trail.
“Together with WWF, we aim to raise global awareness of the importance of tiger conservation efforts globally and across Asia. 2022 marks the Year of Tiger and the tiger also resonates closely with us as a brand identity. The partnership will kickstart sustainability efforts for Tiger Brokers in Singapore and globally. As a global innovative fintech company, we know that sustainability has no boundaries, and sustainability efforts will be a long-term strategy where Tiger Brokers can be a force for good for the environment, society, and community at large. We look forward to joining hands with WWF to explore innovative ways for a better planet.” said Eng Thiam Choon, Chief Executive Officer of Tiger Brokers (Singapore).
“This initiative by WWF-Singapore to raise awareness is very much in line with Gardens by the Bay’s focus on sustainability in the coming years. As the Gardens enters its tenth year, we will be introducing more programmes for the public with a strong environmental thrust. The Tiger Trail is one such activity that our visitors will be able to look forward to. With eight tiger sculptures displayed at Supertree Grove – the largest collection of all locations across Singapore – members of the public can pick up a free Tiger Trail Passport and embark on their own mini adventure to learn about biodiversity while exploring the Gardens,” said Felix Loh, CEO of Gardens by the Bay.
Amongst the locally-based artists involved in WWF-Singapore’s AR-mazing Tiger Trail is Yip Yew Chong, a Singaporean visual artist who is best known for his street murals, which depict local life in a whimsical and nostalgic way. His Half-Submerged Tiger can be interpreted in many ways, and serves as a reminder of the impacts of continued deforestation on the tiger and the resulting floods and rising sea levels. From another perspective, the tiger might be seen as enjoying the waters of the Singaporean River.
A series of international artists include the likes of Dave White, a contemporary British Artist who dedicates his work to celebrating popular culture and interpreting emotive issues. Dave has featured Tigers in his work for the last ten years, highlighting their plight as an endangered species. Dave incorporates 24 Carat Gold Leaf into his sculpture to create movement and add a realistic quality to the work, whilst highlighting the scarcity and precious existence of the tiger.
Phannapast Taychamaythakool (Yoon) is a Thai artist and illustrator who tells personal stories through drawings of animals and flowers. With a focus on colours and detail, Phannapast is inspired by her surroundings. Her tiger sculpture depicts the shadow of a tiger, which represents all living animals on earth. Brightly coloured butterflies connote the Butterfly Effect and the impact that human behavior has on wild tigers.
Throughout the course of WWF-Singapore’s AR-mazing Tiger Trail, a series of workshops and activities will provide further opportunities for engagement and education. Highlighted events include art workshops by Temenggong Artists-in-Residence, during which participants can enjoy T-shirt decorating, mask painting and pottery sessions. Paid AR-mazing Tiger Trail tours will be on offer through the Civic District and Kampong Glam; guides will share deeper insights into the trail and sculptures of these specific areas, as well as how the AR-mazing Tiger Trail is benefitting tiger conservation.
A series of workshops will offer the opportunity to upskill in terrarium making, coffee grounds upcycling, orange peel upcycling and more. A portion of ticket prices for all paid activities will be donated to supporting the WWF-Singapore’s AR-mazing Tiger Trail cause.
Marking the conclusion of the trail, WWF-Singapore, together with Sotheby’s, will launch an online auction from 12th – 26th April 2022. The auction will offer collectors from around the world the opportunity to take ownership of one of the incredible, life-sized sculptures that formed the AR-mazing Tiger Trail.
Aside from visiting and engaging with the trail itself, a range of specially designed Tiger Trail Merchandise is available to purchase through the WWF-Singapore’s E-shop. All proceeds will go directly to furthering WWF-Singapore’s important tiger conservation work.
Alternatively, members of the public can also adopt a tiger at https://adopt.wwf.sg/species/tiger. These symbolic tiger adoptions from WWF-Singapore strengthen community efforts in tiger landscapes, monitor and safeguard habitats against poachers, reintroduce prey species into tiger heartlands, and advocate for an effective management of forests. Tiger Protectors will also help to protect the biodiversity, wildlife and natural environments around them. Members of the WWF-Singapore tiger adoption community receive exclusive updates from the field and invitations to meet and interact with conservation specialists and researchers, who work directly in the field.
WWF-Singapore’s AR-mazing Tiger Trail is made possible by WWF-Singapore’s partners, whose ongoing support enables large-scale awareness campaigns to support WWF-Singapore’s mission to stop the degradation of the planet’s natural environment and to build a future in which people live in harmony with nature.
More information on WWF-Singapore’s AR-mazing Tiger Trail can be found on the website: https://tigertrail.wwf.sg/
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