Exhibition till 30th August 2025

Educational and cultural organisation, Alliance Française de Singapour is proud to present “OCEAN: Diving into the unknown,” an enlightening exhibition that invites you on a breathtaking journey beneath the ocean’s surface. Running from 30 May to 30 August 2025, this landmark showcase will transform the Alliance Française’s gallery into an immersive marine world, where the rich tapestry of biodiversity, mythology, scientific innovation, and urgent environmental messages come together in harmony. This marks a significant milestone as it is the first-ever collaboration with the renowned Paris National Museum of Natural History, bringing the exhibition for the very first time to Singapore. Specially adapted for our local audiences, OCEAN shines a light on the profound historical, scientific, and cultural connections between France and the ocean. With the country holding the second-largest exclusive economic zone in the world, spanning nearly every major ocean, it shapes not only its geopolitical influence but also its identity as a beloved maritime nation.

More than just a visual marvel, OCEAN is a multi-sensory journey into Earth’s final frontiers, especially poignant as we face the critical global challenge of preserving our ocean’s health. Aligned with Singapore’s SG60 celebrations, which celebrate our maritime and aquatic heritage, coastal clean-ups, and sustainability efforts, the exhibition fosters a meaningful conversation about our shared dependence on the oceans and the collective responsibility to protect their future. OCEAN is thoughtfully structured into four immersive thematic zones, each offering a unique perspective on humanity’s evolving relationship with the sea. Through engaging displays, artefacts, and storytelling, the exhibition beautifully intertwines art, history, science, and advocacy, sparking reflection and inspiring wonder.

The first section of the exhibition ‘Myths of the Depths’ gently invites us to reflect on the profound way the ocean has captivated the human spirit for centuries. Visitors are welcomed into the enchanting realm of French literature and art, where stormy seas and hidden depths resonate with our curiosity about the unknown. Through enchanting tales of mythical creatures and epic voyages, this section beautifully reveals how the sea has been a wellspring of inspiration, serving as an emotional and symbolic mirror that continues to influence our understanding of the natural world.

From imagination to investigation, the second theme of the exhibition ‘New Worlds to Discover’ warmly shifts focus to our shared human drive to explore and understand the ocean’s profound secrets. Showcasing the remarkable tools and inventions that have made underwater discovery a reality, it lovingly highlights the pioneering contributions of French scientists and engineers. These breakthroughs, from early diving apparatus to modern submersibles, symbolize not only incredible technical ingenuity but also a heartfelt spirit of curiosity and scientific advancement. They remind us of the vital role that marine research plays in addressing today’s global challenges. As visitors immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the deep, the next chapter ‘The Wonders Underneath’ joyfully celebrates the astonishing biodiversity hidden beneath the waves. Through vivid imagery and captivating displays, audiences are invited to encounter the breathtaking variety of marine life, from vibrant coral reefs to bioluminescent creatures that inhabit the ocean’s darkest zones. These living ecosystems tell a poignant story of nature’s boundless creativity, while also emphasizing the delicate interconnectedness that sustains them. Committed to providing an innovative and immersive experience, Alliance Française de Singapour warmly offers guests a unique virtual reality (VR) encounter, simulating the beautiful experience of being underwater.

The final part of the exhibition ‘A Treasure to Protect’ delivers a heartfelt yet crucial message: our oceans, despite their breathtaking beauty, are facing significant threats. Visitors are gently invited to acknowledge the difficult truths of pollution, climate change, and ecological imbalance, while discovering the compassionate efforts France is making toward marine conservation. Above all, the exhibition inspires us to ponder our personal connection to these vital waters, urging each of us to transform our admiration into meaningful, united action for the sake of our planet’s most essential ecosystem.

Andrew Lau, President, Alliance Française de Singapour, conveyed his enthusiasm, remarking, “At Alliance Française de Singapour, alongside our core mission as a French language and cultural central centre, we are committed to fostering dialogues between other different cultures whilst engaging with the most pressing issues of our time. With OCEAN, we invite visitors to experience the ocean not just as a space of mystery and beauty, but also as a shared global responsibility. As an island nation surrounded by water, Singapore offers the perfect context for this exhibition—one where conversations about marine life, sustainability, and our collective future feel especially urgent and meaningful. The Alliance Française has supported The International Seakeepers Society that promotes oceanography research, conservation and education by hosting their songwriting competition in our theatre.”

Alliance Française de Singapour, in a heartwarming collaboration with the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, will proudly present a breathtaking photography exhibition showcasing the extraordinary work of PHOCTOPUS. This renowned Monegasque duo, comprised of the remarkable underwater photographer Olivier Jude and the adventurous diver and model Sylvie Laurent, has captured stunning unfiltered underwater realms that unveil the exquisite complexity of marine life. With a steadfast commitment to preserving the ocean’s raw beauty, they have intentionally chosen to forgo digital retouching. Their striking images resonate with the vibrant themes of the main exhibition, amplifying the urgent call for harmony between human endeavors and the natural world. Art lovers can acquire these mesmerizing artworks, with every penny raised devoted to The Garden City Fund’s visionary 100k Corals Initiative—the largest coral restoration project in Singapore’s history, aimed at nurturing coral nubbins and restoring degraded reefs or introducing them to new locations within Singapore’s pristine waters.