“Poetry is when you make new things familiar and familiar things new”
It is hard to appreciate the value and understand the potential of one’s own culture. To do so, stepping out of the context often becomes a prerequisite. The foreign eye is valuable for its fresh perspective. It notices details, corners and crevices that familiarity cannot even begin to fathom. As a foreigner (Indian) in a new land (Singapore), I am attempting to bring forth my observations around the city: Urban patterns, colours, architecture etc.
The following are a few of my explorations on the subject.
Food maybe one uniting factor for Singaporeans. Louis Vuitton is another.
Chinese, Malay or Indian- LV seems to have struck a national chord.
In a city which is constantly reinventing itself, almost everyone lives next to a construction site.
Instead of chirping birds, distant noises of drilling and concrete mixtures welcome a new day.
It soon becomes clear that this island city state presents a unique definition of both time and space.
This bowing construction worker is unmissable as you walk on the city streets.
Uniquely Singapore?
‘A flashing green man, like a signal to war, urges you forward.
If you look back now, you will see Another green man, panicking,
A siren’s plea in the opposite direction.
I cannot tell you which way is the right way. All I have is
numbers counting themselves down, towards the inevitable,
towards absolute zero.
What I offer you is the chance to retrace your steps when
the next man appears, back to where you started, where you
never planned to begin this journey.’
HDB Rhapsody
The Merlion. Half lion, half mermaid. A curious mascot for a nation. Yet, since its creation in 1964,
the Merlion has become a strong image for modern Singapore. But do people really connect?
Here’s an interesting poem on the subject by Alfian Bin Sa’at.
My interpretation of Alfian Bin Sa’at’s ‘The Merlion’
“It is hard to appreciate the value and understand the potential of one’s own culture. To do so, stepping out of the context often becomes a prerequisite.”
I lilke.
Also, i see how how the vibrancy of colors of the smaller, colonial period buildings stand in contrast to the drab modern buildings that make up the backdrop for them could affect a resident. Yet, it never stops. Could one say that singaporeans live without much sentiment except for brands like Louis Vuitton?
Posted by Kunaal | May 28, 2010, 22:48