MENTAL: Colourful & Creative Exhibit, a Masterclass in teaching Mental Health

It's arts, but also a conversation with you, for you.

Written by an Anonymous Honest Agent Who knew that one day, a whole exhibit about mental health would come sia?

MENTAL: Colours of Wellbeing is an exhibition co-curated by the Science Gallery Melbourne, using 24 art installations to address mental health.

With the help of various international artists, makers, scientists, and designers, the exhibit hopes to make the topic more understandable and digestible. It's not your generic lesson on mental illness and treatments either leh - instead, it confronts stereotypes around mental health.

The theme of this exhibition is formed around Connection, Exploration, Expression, and Reflection, and all of these were lived experiences.

Shhh… come let me give you some spoilers to pique your interest...

What We Saw:

‘Even in fear’ by Zhou Xiaohu (2008)

This installation was made to help us realize how difficult it is to deal with anxiety and put ourselves in the position of someone who is experiencing it. When the balloon is unable to handle the pressure no more, it will burst.

The artist created this to evoke anxiety, uneasiness, and hidden pressure just like what most people go through every day. I felt anxious just by looking at this giant balloon sia, not knowing when it might pop.

‘Wheel’ by Hiromi Tango and Dr. Emma Burrows

As you can already tell, it is a giant ‘hamster’ wheel.

Most of us, myself included, make excuses and cancel our workouts. This wheel shows how exercising can help boost brain plasticity and protect our mental health.

I felt encouraged to jump on it and give it a try and I was able to observe how colours and exercise affected my mood leh.

‘Scenes from therapy’ by YANGERMEISTER (Tan Yang Er) and Yunora

We are all aware that in society, there is a negative stigma surrounding the topic "therapy".

This installation hopes to address that, showcasing the artist's perspective during his therapy sessions. What caught my attention were the 5 wigs which represented his different states of mind, from breakthrough, to confusion, static, clarity and exhaustion.

This installation didn’t need any words sia, because I understood the feeling that the wigs were trying to portray.

The wall opposite showcased the harsh reality of therapy sessions, with good parts, the cost and new perspectives the artist gained scribbled on.

‘Hello human, Hello machine(2017)’ by Rachel Hanlon

"Hello Machines" are phones across the world you can pick up or answer when they ring to have a conversation with total strangers.

This installation was trying to highlight that all humans need an avenue to connect and share and honestly right, I think it worked.

I got to talk to a lady in Melbourne and we talked about our day and what we do for a living so wah I can say this was one of the most interesting things I’ve experienced.

‘Kind Words’ (2019) by Ziba Scott

Kind Words is an exhibit that lets you write messages of encouragement for anyone to take and you can take notes that catch your attention to.

In doing so, the exhibit hopes to remind us that there are people out there who go through similar experiences and that we are never really alone one.

After reading the letters hung by people, I had mixed emotions about the installations because there were many different notes, from kind words to personal hardships and concerning thoughts.

Honest Opinion:

Creative Visuals that Connect - 5/5

Honestly right, mental wellness isn’t exactly something you can see but more of what you are feeling. It is often difficult to explain this subject itself, however, the artists manage to portray it in an easily understood way.

One installation that I found particularly remarkable, was the "Hello Human, Hello Machine". You could talk to a complete stranger about anything. Don't know what to say? Maybe offer some encouragement - who knows? It may just be what they need.

There are 24 installations so do be prepared to spend some time there. First time I spent more than 3 hours at an exhibition sia. If you think you'll get tired, don't worry, there are ample seats to rest your legs too.

You can visit MENTAL: Colours of Wellbeing at 6 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018974. They are open from 10 am - 7 pm (last entry at 6 pm). Do purchase the tickets on Marina Bay Sands's website to avoid queuing at the ticket counter. Tickets are $18 for local adults, $14 for students and children.

How to get here: By Bus

Marina Bay Sands Theatre bus stop

By MRT

Bayfront Station

By Car

North car park at Marina Bay Sands

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This article was written by one of our Anonymous Honest agents.