Funan’s Chinese New Year art and lifestyle trail gallops back with creative horse-themed experiences

Your journey begins with the Six Passion Horses, a series of sculptural horses standing tall across the mall, bringing together six artists to interpret the spirit of the horse through Funan's Passion themes: Taste, Craft, Chic, Fit, Tech and Play. Crafted by local and regional artists, these aren’t your typical zodiac decorations. 

Jeremy Hiah’s Silver Appetite (Taste) gleams with cutlery to celebrate dining rituals; Phua’s Fit in Motion (Fit) is built from layered plywood, reflecting discipline and balance through fitness; Lionsforge’s Techno-Steed (Tech) fuses sleek forms with circuit-like precision to nod to innovation and technology. They’re playful, a little theatrical, and designed to be stumbled upon. The joy is in discovery.

At Level 1, Funan’s Kinetic Wall becomes a digital storybook starring Hobbi, a hobby horse with big ideas. In Gavin Lee’s looping animation Horse Shtick!, Hobbi ventures out into the city, sniffing, observing and ultimately transforming –  a cheeky metaphor for creativity, reinvention and finding possibility in the everyday. It’s short, charming and oddly mesmerising. 

Inside, the Grand Stairs double as a playful guessing game by Wendy Victoria Mack. Spot, count and hazard a guess at the number of horseshoes for a chance to win 2,000 STAR$, because art can be rewarding in very literal ways too.

One of the best things about this trail is how seamlessly art blends into shopping and dining. Grab a lemonade at Lemonaide (#B2-K12), and you’ll find cup sleeves and stickers designed by illustrator Loy Yu Shuen, all sun-soaked nostalgia and carousel-daydream vibes. Over at Wingstop (#02-04), Clio Chuang’s fantastical illustrations transform the walls, adding a playful twist to your chicken break.

Fashion fans should swing by TOMS (#01-25), where embroidery artist Isabel Lim personalises shoes live, inspired by childhood imagination and play. Allbirds (#01-24), Herschel (#01-22/23), and Hydro Flask (#02-K09) also get artistic makeovers, with designs that explore heritage, sustainability and reinvention, turning everyday items into collectible keepsakes.

This isn’t a look-don’t-touch affair. There are workshops and live experiences throughout the season, from speculative terrarium-making at The Green Capsule (#04-11) to sustainability talks and an interactive installation at The Green Collective (#02-18). 

Feeling energetic? Head to Ace Club Tennis (#04-19 to 21) for In Full Swing, a pickleball experience that blurs sport, performance and social choreography. It’s less about winning and more about rhythm, exchange and collective play – no prior skills required. 

Families, take note: lyf Funan (Level 4) hosts Hoseh!, a batik puppetry experience where kids can watch a live performance and then create their own puppets. It’s hands-on, imaginative and refreshingly screen-free.

While you’re soaking up all the playful experiences, treat yourself with Funan’s festive Spend and Redeem offers. From now until February 16, spend $150 and receive a $10 eCapitaVoucher. During the Creative Intersection period from January 22 to February 22, spend $250 and enjoy a $20 eCapitaVoucher – a little extra incentive to shop, explore and play. Terms and conditions apply.

That’s not all – don’t miss exclusive promos at Funan like a lucky draw to win a Cultural Rhythms Edition bottle from Hydro Flask, complete the stamp rally at the DJI Store to redeem a DJI Cylinder crossbody bag after following @dji_singapore on Instagram, and grab a SAW Combo at Wingstop with eight pieces of boneless wings, voodoo fries, ranch and a drink for just $15.50.

So if you’re looking to escape the usual mall routine this Chinese New Year or want to add a little whimsy between lo hei sessions, consider Funan’s Creative Intersections, HOBBYHORSE: Rhythm and Forms of Play, your sign to trot down to Funan. Find out more here.