artLIVE – ‘Let’s Play! The Art and Design of Asian Games’ has quickly become one of the most talked about highlights at the Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM) in Singapore.
ACM marks a major milestone in the world of Asian games
This landmark exhibition, organized to commemorate Singapore’s 60th National Day, brings together more than 150 artworks. It invites visitors on an extraordinary journey that explores how games are played and how they have shaped culture, identity, and community across Asia for thousands of years.
As ACM’s first multi-experiential showcase, the exhibition offers a dynamic and immersive experience. Visitors are encouraged to participate actively rather than only observe. They can challenge their intellect through interactive activities, relive childhood memories with familiar games, explore outdoor installations, and experience newly commissioned works by contemporary designers.
Clement Onn, Director of ACM and the Peranakan Museum, highlighted the essential role of games in social life. He shared that games bring joy but also sharpen the mind, foster community connections, spark creativity, and inspire reflection. The games featured are both familiar and accessible, while at the same time demonstrating sophisticated craftsmanship and human imagination.
He also expressed gratitude to schools, community groups, and local gaming organizations for their support, noting that their collaboration helped bring the spirit of “playing together” into the exhibition. He hopes Let’s Play! will enhance cultural exchange across the region and show the lasting vitality of games over time.
Checkmate at ‘Let’s Play! The Art and Design of Asian Games’
The exhibition is divided into five thematic sections, featuring classics such as chess, chaupar, Go, xiangqi, shogi, carrom, mahjong, congkak, and many other variations.
From chaturanga, the 6th-century Indian precursor to chess, to elaborately carved 19th-century Thai chess sets, the exhibition illustrates how games can be both intellectual pursuits and artistic expressions rooted in local traditions.
It also highlights the symbolic meanings embedded in many of them. For example, gyan chaupar, the forerunner of “Snakes and Ladders,” goes beyond entertainment to reflect the philosophical lessons of life’s ups and downs
Similarly, congkak, with origins in West Asia and East Africa, and mahjong, which appeared in southern China in the 19th century, are presented as dynamic elements of cultural and social life.
The exhibition also looks at the role of games in the digital age. From AlphaGo’s historic victory over Lee Sedol to the use of artificial intelligence in training, games today are shown as powerful testing grounds for AI technology.
ACM expands this perspective with ACMverse on Roblox, a virtual platform that allows visitors to connect real-life artifacts with digital challenges. The companion program ‘Let’s Play More!’ recreates the lively atmosphere of board game cafés, where guests can explore new games, design their own playing pieces, and watch them appear on digital boards.
Games continue to inspire contemporary art as well. The installation ‘Climbs & Slides’ reinterprets “Snakes and Ladders” in a metaphor-rich three-dimensional space, while Checkmates! transforms the Singapore River into a giant chessboard that combines visual art with strategic play in striking fashion.
With the support of schools, community groups, and gaming organizations, together with a program of talks and panel discussions, the exhibition reaffirms the enduring significance of games. It celebrates their power to spark creativity, strengthen community bonds, and honor Asia’s cultural heritage.
‘Let’s Play! The Art and Design of Asian Games’ runs from September 5, 2025, to June 7, 2026, at the Asian Civilisations Museum, 1 Empress Place, Singapore.
Photo credit: ACM Team
