Martin, Today’s (the newspaper, not the day) art correspondent is one of the lucky few who gets to spend a night at the Merlion Hotel during this year’s Biennale.

Martin finds out that there’s more to staying the night at the Merlion than just the novelty:

It’s been described in a number of ways, accompanied by either a frown or a smile. “Spectacle” and “PR gimmick” being the most common.

But I have to say after actually staying there for a night (a privileged standpoint, admittedly) that the work lends itself to more than just a pretty photo op.

The spectacle isn’t just the Merlion inside a hotel room, the spectacle is also (or in lieu of the damn statue) whoever’s staying for the night.

Once you get over the novelty of seeing the statue up close, taking photos with it and, er, stuff (which lasted for all of an hour for me), and it sinks in that while it looks and feels like a hotel room there’s no wifi or TV (I still think it’s a good idea to at least have a DVD player playing videos by Tan Pin Pin and Ming Wong), you realise you’re not just booked into an posh-but-odd room and having an intimte, quality time with the Merlion.

You’re performing.

Check out Martin’s post and pictures here.