What if we told you that you could now slither through a life-sized take on Snakes and Ladders? Well, sort of. From January 17 to February 16, Funan is introducing its very own rendition of the iconic board game, where it transforms into a serpent-themed experiential wonderland with Creative Intersections: SNAKES and LADDERS.
Curated by Justin Loke, the creative director of the art collective Vertical Submarine, the experience comes as part of Singapore Art Week and features fascinating interpretations of the Year of the Snake in diverse art forms, merchandise, and even workshops across six floors. And of course, there are retail rewards to sweeten the deal during this festive season too.
Not sure where to start? Let us uncoil the highlights for you.
Who says board games are for the coffee table? Start with Vertical Submarine’s gamified installation, Puzzled by the Stairs, at Level 1 Grand Stairs, where Snakes and Ladders is transformed into a puzzle inspired by a whimsical children’s poem. Scan the QR code, fill in the blanks, and you might just win a $10 eCapitaVoucher. There are 25 eCapitaVouchers to be won each week, so flex those brain muscles, and maybe earn some bragging rights too.
We love a dream team, and this year’s lineup brings together 13 brands and 15 local artists, with eight fresh faces including The Green Collective (#02-18), Omnidesk (#03-K03), and The Pace (#01-28/29) joining the fun. These cool collabs not only spotlight the serpentine charm through captivating art, but they also bring it to life with exclusive merchandise available in stores.
Sip on your favourite brew at Dal.komm COFFEE (#03-17) while admiring Jalon Tan’s wildlife-inspired mural, or let your eyes feast on Justin Lee’s dazzling lightbox artwork at Sinpopo Brand (#01-K02) as you wait for your meal.
Then marvel at Twardzik Ching Chor Leng’s sustainable sculpture at Dreame (#03-K04), immerse in Tiffany Lovage and Kenneth Seow's art installation at Ray-Ban (#01-K01), watch Song Yan’s hypnotic stop-motion animation at Skin Belief (#B1-41), and many more. Every vibrant artwork here is a treat for your senses – and your Instagram feed.
If all this art has you itching to unleash your creative side or simply curious about our scaly friends, there’s plenty to sink your teeth into. Design your own vinyl masterpiece on old records at Audio-Technica (#03-K04), where the most creative design wins a brand-new turntable. Over at The Green Collective (#02-18), Juliette Yu-Ming Lizeray scales things up with a snake drawing workshop. For everything you’ve ever wanted to know about Singapore’s native snakes, sign up for talks by a herpetological expert and ACRES (Animal Concerns Research & Education Society), also at The Green Collective.
When it comes to throwing shapes – literally – snakes are in a league of their own. Umami Labo’s striking installation, Dance like a boa, swing like a bae, cleverly captures the fluidity of these creatures through pixelated visuals inspired by the nostalgic Nokia Snake game.
But this piece doesn’t just stop at the early ‘00s. It slithers further back in time, drawing on the biblical tale of the serpent tempting Eve, the 1978 Hong Kong martial arts action film Snake in the Eagle's Shadow, and the iconic Snakes and Ladders board game. This layered approach reveals the snake’s dual nature: graceful yet guarded, playful yet perilous. The result? A thought-provoking narrative that invites you to consider how age-old symbols continue to evolve and thrive in today’s screen-dominated world.
Don’t let these beauties slither out of sight. As you navigate Funan, keep an eye out for six vibrant Passion Snake standees scattered between Basement 2 and Level 1. Each one represents Funan’s passion pillars – Chic, Craft, Fit, Play, Taste, and Tech – and features unique textures like organza fabric, yarn, and cables.
With Funan’s artist-inspired merch like Vert Sub's bold vinyl-player skins at Audio Technica, Jerry Yeo's retro-looking coffee packaging at PPP Coffee, and Clio Chuang's cutesy cup sleeves at LiHO Tea, it’s hard to resist splashing your cash. Spend $100 at participating retail stores to earn 10,000 STAR$ (Tier 1), or spend $20 at participating F&B stores to snag 2,000 STAR$ (Tier 2). Be sure to upload all same-day receipts onto the CapitaStar app, where you can enjoy up to three redemptions across both tiers per day. The best part? Both tiers are stackable too. Now that’s retail therapy with extra perks. Explore the full list of participating stores here.
So what are you waiting for? Slip and slide your way through Funan’s Creative Intersections: SNAKES and LADDERS this Chinese New Year. Find out more here.