NEW YORK, Sept 26 — On Wednesday afternoon, a queue was forming at one corner of Madison Square Park. Standing in line were American tourists Allan Robert and his wife Cynthia — although they had no idea what they were queuing for. “We don’t know what it is but it was free,” joked Robert.

Queuing up for something that is free? Does that sound familiar?

The couple, who are from Delaware, were visiting the Big Apple for Pope Francis’ visit to the United States, and while they may not have known it at the time, they were doing something that is typically Singaporean. Even before they eventually entered the premises of the travelling showcase known as Singapore: Inside Out (SGIO).

In an unusual reversal of roles, New York City, known as the birthplace of hip-hop and famous for its graffiti, played host to Singaporean artists such as Speak Cryptic, whose installation Kamar Kamillion encouraged visitors to leave their artistic mark on the walls, and rapper THELIONCITYBOY, who performed a music set.

The two artists are part of a group of 20 Singapore talents from various fields in the arts, design and food who flew in to New York as part of the five-day event, which ends tomorrow. Organised by the Singapore Tourism Board for SG50 and curated by architect and artist Randy Chan, the diverse line-up of shows also included, among many others, a performance by THE Dance Company, artists Zul Mahmod and Robert Zhao showcasing their works, a concert by rock band Caracal, and artistic culinary offerings from pastry chef Janice Wong.

Theatre artists led by director Tan Kheng Hua and playwright Joel Tan did a “performance tour” of SGIO, wherein actors went around as the SGIO artists — with someone playing chef Wong for example, or dance artist Lee Mun Wai of THE — as they talked about their works at the event.

The main SGIO event capped a week of all things Singapore in the Big Apple. Partner events held earlier in the week included the recently concluded Something To Write Home About, a 10-day art festival organised by New York-based Singaporean artists and featuring short films, visual arts and theatre; the launch of the literary anthology Union; an audio-visual showcase by Singapore artists Syndicate; as well as a handful of food-related events under the Singapore Restaurant Week banner, which saw different food establishments give Singapore food a New York twist, such as the chicken rice meatball dish by The Meatball Shop.

A pop-up Singapore hawker food stall, done in collaboration with food guru KF Seetoh, was also set up to serve dishes such as fried Hokkien mee. And a partnership with famous fast food burger joint Shake Shack, called Shake Shack Hearts Singapore, resulted in a unique ondeh-ondeh shake. A special Singapore-inspired version of their burgers was also created for the official opening on Thursday night.

“I had an opportunity to walk through the exhibit and I am excited by the buzz,” said Ashok Mirpuri, Singapore Ambassador to the United States, who graced the opening night.

He also pointed out that at this timely moment in the nation’s history, it is time to “reflect on the international image”, adding that over the past 15 years, the creative economy has become an important part of Singapore’s economy.

Judging from some of the reactions on the first day, SGIO has elicited some positive responses from the curious. Elaine Titus from Pennsylvania, who was visiting her New York-based daughter, “stumbled upon” the event after getting her hair done at a nearby Japanese hairdresser.

“I just saw this and thought it was interesting. It’s very neat and it has a variety of things. It gives you a wide spectrum of what Singapore can offer,” she said.

The accidental encounters weren’t just from tourists. New Yorker Sarah, an accessories design student, had dropped by the park “to see some trees” and got more than she expected: A fiery performance art piece by artist Jason Lim who lit scores of red candles of various sizes in an enclosed performance space.

“I saw a free exhibit, walked in and inside this big glass box was a guy. I stayed from the moment he rose up to the moment the candles were extinguished. I couldn’t look away, it was mesmerising.”

Next up for her: Finding out exactly where Singapore is. “I know it’s by Hong Kong, but I’m learning more from this exhibit, listening to the music, tasting the sweets. I’m going to look up Singapore when I get home,” she said.

If she wants, she can check out an encore performance at the final instalment of SGIO back on home soil later this year. The New York City edition is the showcase’s third and final international stop — after Beijing and London earlier this year — before it heads back to Singapore for a 10-day exhibition at the open field opposite Bugis Junction beginning on November 27. — TODAY