Even with the Paris 2024 Olympics happening a world away, Singapore is crafting its very own mini local version, with a twist. Fusing both art and sports is Artletics, a two-day event orchestrated by the Embassy of France and Art Outreach Singapore that will bring together urban sports athletes and street artists from both Singapore and France at the Somerset Skate Park on May 25 and 26, 2024.
Supported by Singapore Tourism Board, this free event is part of the vOilah! France Singapore Festival that aims to showcase the French creative scene through cross-cultural collaborations. Local graffiti artists Zero, Spaz, Simpleproblembeings, will collaborate with French names like Elsa Martino, and Kekli to revamp the Somerset Skate Park with their art, breathing new life into every corner. And this isn't just about passive admiration for the viewers – the public is invited to roll up their sleeves and join in on the exciting art jam session, supported by Singapore’s art collective Rscls.
After which, the revamped park will become a platform for French skateboarder Max Berguin and Singapore's urban sport communities in skateboarding, breaking, BMX, bike trials, parkour, and yo-yo to showcase their talents.
In the evenings, Singaporean DJs Kiat and Intriguant will lead the crowd at an urban rave, accompanied by food & beverages from Frozt, 1664, and Trifecta, along with energy drinks from Monster Energy to keep festival-goers energised and refreshed. And speaking of Trifecta, the surf-snow-skate facility will also be hosting its first Slope Pop-Wow Challenge as an extension of the festivities. The snowboard and ski challenge will offer visitors the chance to experience the excitement of winter sports, which have been a staple of the Winter Olympic Games since their beginning in France in 1924.
