Somewhere in Singapore, I chanced upon this globe sculpture recently. Even though this installation has been here since 1989, it was only my first time seeing/noticing it!
What first grabbed my attention was the fact that it looked all shiny from afar. As I drew closer, I realised there was more to this globe than meets the eye! It even has a meaningful story behind it!
All the land areas on the globe have been entirely crafted from coins! Not just any ordinary ol’ coin, but all 38,000 coins found on this globe are of different currencies, contributed by foreign visitors to Singapore over a period of two years.
The story behind this globe is one of charity and goodwill. Besides being crafted from coin donations, the sculpture was later bought by the trans-island bus services for $100,000. The sum of money has since been used to help the disabled, elderly, children, youths and family.
guess where I found this globe sculpture! this should be an easy one. Do refrain from reading the comments before you post your answer! (I’m confident someone would have gotten it right by the first 3 comments.)
Man, I still can’t believe that out of my numerous visits to this place over the years, I’m only seeing this globe sculpture for the first time!
Jul 22, 2007
2
Let me gues: Changi Airport?
Jul 22, 2007
2
my guess is Changi Airport!
Jul 22, 2007
80
Is this place in a well-known touristy place, or locked up in some government office?
Jul 22, 2007
1
Changi Airport!
Jul 22, 2007
15
that definitely has to be in Changi Airport. Either terminal 1 or 2… can’t remember… :P because I too has a photograph of it in my photo album ;P hahaha
Jul 22, 2007
1
Changi Airport T1 Viewing Gallery!
Jul 22, 2007
182
I saw this at Changi Airport before. If my memory doesn’t fail me. :)
Jul 22, 2007
1
It’s at Changi Airport…somewhere along the way to swensens if i’m not wrong…
Jul 22, 2007
4
Yup, confirm it’s Changi Airport.
Jul 22, 2007
3
Yup, it’s Changi Airport T1 Viewing gallery…. actually inside the transit area if I’m not wrong, but visible from viewing gallery.
The Swensen’s on that side is already closed down I think.
Jul 23, 2007
3472
Wow everyone got it right! It’s at the Changi Airport Terminal One Viewing Gallery, available to the public (Bianca, it’s not in the transit area).
There used to be a Swensen’s restaurant there which has since closed down!
Yay! You peeps are so smart!
Jul 23, 2007
44
is it in Don Muang Airport, Bangkok?
not too sure …
looks appetizing, is it edible?
yum yum …
Jul 23, 2007
3
The sculpture’s kind of neglected I think, with all the coins rusting. Maybe CIAS should give it a good scrub or something.
Jul 23, 2007
3472
I concur. Some coins are missing too! The land areas around the world appeared to be a lot less than I last remembered. It’s time to paste on new coins!
Jul 23, 2007
5
wah. The sculpture is as old as me! heehee
Jul 23, 2007
1
It’s at Changi Airport’s Terminal 1 Viewing Gallery. It’s located near to what used to be the Swensen’s restaurant and it’s in the public area.
Jul 24, 2007
3472
You got it 100 percent right!
Jul 24, 2007
80
Ah! Now that everyone said that, the globe struck me as familiar!
Yay for Globalisation!
Jul 25, 2007
1
wonderfull.
Nov 20, 2013
1
Hi. The globe sculpture is done by our local artist Chieu Shuey Fook, born 1934 and graduated from NAFA in 1953.