National Columbarium of Singapore

ARTWORK
National Columbarium of Singapore
Model-and-text installation
Bristol board & vinyl
Variable dimensions on 1:100 scale
2009

Part of Lost in the City exhibition, a partner programme of Singapore Art Show 2009, at Level 2, Glass Atrium, National Museum of Singapore

About the work:
National Columbarium of Singapore is a model-and-text installation that addresses issues of urban development, memory, and naming. Instead of housing human remains, this hypothetical columbarium features 100 lost Singapore architecture including 45 scaled models of demolished buildings as well as fictitious and unbuilt structures.

White pervades the seemingly phantom city, triggering one’s memory and imagination. Miniaturisation of the buildings into models also stirs the audience to contemplate issues of space, power, and accountability.

By mixing history with fiction, abstraction with realism and artefacts with words, this installation evokes stories and memories about the buildings, extending their “life” beyond their physical existence.

Credits:
Data Visualiser: Michelle Chow
Design Contributors: Clare Tan, Wu Huei Siang
Digital Modelers: Chng Renhui, Jerry Soo
Model-Making Assistants: Chun Kai Feng, Clare Tan, Fabian Fan, Fiona Tan, Gracia Vera Quek, Huang Jiahui, Iyan Darmaja Mulyadi, Jason Teo, Jonathan Yue, Neo Wen Hao, Poh Weehao, Tai Shijie, Wu Huei Siang, Yip Ching Lok
Project Coordinator: Neo Wen Hao
Proofreader: Tang Ling Nah
Research Assistant: Gisela Thomas Vionny
Research & Text Contributor: Stephen Black

Special Thanks:
Design Act, Heng Chye Kiou, Julia d’Silva, Kam Wai Chin, Kelvin Ang, Kelley Cheng, Lam Chun See, Lilian Chee, National Archives of Singapore, National Junior College, National Library Board, Randy Chan, Wong Moh Keed

(Photos by ChrisP unless otherwise stated)


(Installation view from below stairwell, Level 2, Glass Atrium, National Museum of Singapore; Photo by Michael Lee Hong Hwee)


(Installation view from mid-stair)


(Installation view from above stairway)


(Partial installation view with timeline in background)


(Detail of timeline)


(Detail of view from staircase landing)


(Detail view: LEFT: Singapore Volunteer Corps Institute, RIGHT: Singapore Handicraft Centre)


(Detail view: National Library)


(Caption for Shell House/Singapore Rubber House)


(Installation view with visitors on staircase)


(Detail with caption for National Theatre)


(Detail of one of the models: Singapore Daydreaming Centre)


(Backview of audience taking photographs of artwork on staircase; Photo by Michael Lee Hong Hwee)


(View from Level 3; Photo by Patrick Storey)


(View of audience taking photograph from Level 3; Photo by Michael Lee Hong Hwee)


(View from bottom up; Photo by Michael Lee Hong Hwee)

Related:
Press release of exhibition via National Museum
Caption of artwork via National Museum
Photo of artwork by babykailan via flickr
Photos of exhibition and venue by Mingyi on The Love Story
Review of exhibition by Ai Ting via Cities, Bodies, Memories, Art
Review of exhibition by Shannon and Cai Lin on Getting into the Art Side of Business
Review of exhibition by Stephen Black in Singapore Architect #253
Review of exhibition by Ho Rui An in ARTERI and Open Contours