An Insider's Look: ASTRA at NOVA
ByCarmen TenneyNOVA bar located atop One Raffles Place.
At almost 10 meters tall, ASTRA is renowned light artist Jun Ong’s interpretation of a supernova, situated at NOVA, Singapore’s tallest panoramic sky bar. This monumental installation, located on level 63 of One Raffles Place, is The Artling’s largest commissioned sculpture to date.
ASTRA is made of stainless steel in a vortex finish, with LED fittings and controllers, as well as nuts and bolts. As the focal point of NOVA’s chic design, the structure measures 960 centimeters in height, 700 centimeters in width, and 700 centimeters in depth.
Commissioned by OUE, the multi-faceted star-shaped centerpiece creates a glow in the night sky as a spectrum of illuminated colors pulses in infinite patterns, synchronized to NOVA’s eclectic beats. Coordinating the stainless steel structure - a task that mirrors the sculpture’s impressive scale - was a significant achievement for the Artling team. Here’s an insider’s look at how we executed this majestic project.
Project Information
Location: Singapore
Client: OUE
Project Type: Hospitality
Project Scope: Public Areas
Services Provided: Art Consultancy
Status: Completed
Artling Project Team: Kim Tay, Madi Amin
Year Completed: 2023
Process and Collaborators
Neon beams radiate from the geometric artwork in the Singapore sky.
The Artling collaborated with the client OUE and Kuala Lumpur-based artist Ong to bring this spectacular masterpiece to life. The process took a year of careful coordination, including meetings and discussions to ensure that production and installation went as planned.
Detailed site plan of NOVA with ASTRA's location within the space.
A structure as large as ASTRA required meticulous planning and execution, and it was accomplished through a multi-phased approach. The Artling and Ong collaborated extensively with fabricators UAP, a renowned global company known for their expertise in public art and architectural design solutions.
This partnership involved numerous meetings and discussions in Shanghai, where the team worked hand-in-hand to ensure every detail was aligned with the project’s vision. In the initial stages, mock-ups of the sculpture were thoroughly reviewed to address any design challenges, fine-tune structural elements, and ensure the fabrication process would proceed smoothly. This collaborative effort was essential in bringing ASTRA to life, balancing creativity with technical precision.
3D-printed model of ASTRA.
3D -printed model of the core of the structure.
The core of the sculpture was composed of three parts. To facilitate visualization and productive discussions in the initial stages, 3D-printed models were created. The models helped the team grasp a sense of the scale and proportion of the structure in a tangible form. UAP’s specialty workmanship and its precision in constructing the models was crucial to this stage in the process before transitioning to the next fabrication phase.
In addition to the 3D-printed models, UAP also presented a detailed mockup of the second layer of one of the sculpture’s long spikes. The mock-up included the integration of LED lights - a key feature of ASTRA that adds an illuminated dimension to the sculpture. This mock-up allowed the teams involved to assess its lighting and colors, so as to achieve the desired visual effect.
Mock-up of a long spike with LED lights.
UAP and the artist worked with Ledscontrol, experts in dynamic lighting, to address the specific lighting needs for ASTRA. This stage helped to iron out some of the technical aspects of the structure so that the necessary lighting programming adjustments could be made before full-scale production.
Test fit carried out at the factory.
When the fabrication was completed, a test fit was conducted at the factory in Shanghai to ensure all components fit together seamlessly. This step allowed for identifying potential issues before the sculpture was shipped to Singapore for its final installation.
ASTRA: A Stellar Art Experience at NOVA Bar
ASTRA is artist Jun Ong's interpretation of the supernova phenomenon, encapsulating its intense energy and beauty. It combines two geometric shapes—a dodecahedron and an icosahedron—to form a strong foundational core that expands into a multi-faceted star-shaped structure.
For a captivating visual experience, the geometric design is enhanced by the vibrant, changing light that emits a display of infinite colors and patterns. The pulsating lights constantly shift with movement and energy, reflecting the atmosphere below in Singapore's Central Business District.
The reflective materiality of the artwork interacts with both natural and artificial light throughout the day and night allowing its neon beams to merge with the calm, ethereal quality of the nighttime sky.
ASTRA serves as a portal between celestial and terrestrial worlds, embodying the life journey of a star through a unique confluence of matter and energy. This artwork pushes the boundaries of the cityscape while celebrating innovation and self-expression.
Connecting the sky and the earth, Ong's sculpture invites viewers to appreciate both cosmic and earthly realms. With each change in light, ASTRA undergoes transformative processes that reflect the life cycle of a star, constantly evolving and innovating. Elevated 280 meters in the sky, it stands as a beacon that celebrates unique perspectives and individuality.
The Artling would like to thank the artist, Jun Ong, and all the teams involved for their dedication on this very special project of bringing ASTRA to life!
If you're looking for stunning artworks, large or small, to elevate your hospitality projects, we’re here to help. Get in touch with our team of experts for a consultation today!
About NOVA
Located at Level 63 above HighHouse at One Raffles Place, NOVA is Singapore’s tallest sky bar offering 360-degree views, stunning sunsets, and multisensorial experiences atop Singapore's skyline.
NOVA’s chic, modern design is enhanced by a curated mix of nostalgic tunes and an eclectic mix of Afro and World Beats creating a vibrant and dynamic atmosphere. The food menu reflects this fusion, offering a blend of East and West, with some classic comfort foods reimagined with a delightful twist.
About OUE Limited
Incorporated in 1964, OUE is a leading real estate and healthcare group, developing and managing prime real estate assets in the commercial, hospitality, retail and residential sectors.
The company also invests in other businesses that complement its core activities, such as OUE Restaurants - a restaurants group that delivers a diverse range of authentic dining experiences in Singapore and overseas. Featuring a unique mix of fine and casual bars and restaurants, its portfolio include well-known establishments such as VUE, HighHouse, NOVA, Osteria Mozza, Takayama, Hashida Singapore, one-Michelin-starred Shisen Hanten by Chen Kentaro, the award-winning Chatterbox at Hilton Singapore Orchard, Michelin Bib Gourmand recipient Chen’s Mapo Tofu, FuFu Pot, Hanare by Takayama, Delifrance, and Rempapa.
Any views or opinions in the post are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the company or contributors.
