We live in a society where change in the built-environment is constant and sometimes rather disconcerting. Singapore’s few remaining heritage buildings seem to disappear overnight, or are ‘upgraded’ into soulless lifestyle bars, like the Ann Siang Hill/Club Street conservation area. Anyone remember the houses along the original Pekin, Nankin & Hokien Streets before they were transformed into Far East & China Squares? I remember seeing them in 1996, boarded up before demolition /renovation, tired old octogenarians awaiting their fate. One could almost hear the ghosts of Singapore history whistling through them!
Ok, I admit I like the “beautiful decay” of old classic architecture, especially as a sketch artist. That’s one of the reasons I revisit Penang, where I lived from 1997-2000. When I look at these weathered & crumbling buildings, I think, “What stories those walls could tell!”
I went back into my earlier sketchbooks, to find what has “already been lost” in views of Singapore architecture, since I arrived here 8 years ago, and here are three: That classic corner shophouse at Ann Siang Hill Rd, and Club Street (now one of those dreaded
Lifestyle bars!) drawn in 2002; the original National Library on Ft. Canning hillside, drawn on the last weekend it was open in March 2004; and the last original river godowns along the Singapore River, drawn in 2007 (now the site is a large condo complex). I feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to view and sketch these buildings, before they left us.
Anyone else have sketches of “Lost Singapore” to share with us too?
Ok, I admit I like the “beautiful decay” of old classic architecture, especially as a sketch artist. That’s one of the reasons I revisit Penang, where I lived from 1997-2000. When I look at these weathered & crumbling buildings, I think, “What stories those walls could tell!”
I went back into my earlier sketchbooks, to find what has “already been lost” in views of Singapore architecture, since I arrived here 8 years ago, and here are three: That classic corner shophouse at Ann Siang Hill Rd, and Club Street (now one of those dreaded
Lifestyle bars!) drawn in 2002; the original National Library on Ft. Canning hillside, drawn on the last weekend it was open in March 2004; and the last original river godowns along the Singapore River, drawn in 2007 (now the site is a large condo complex). I feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to view and sketch these buildings, before they left us.
Anyone else have sketches of “Lost Singapore” to share with us too?
Ya, I agree with you totally. Every flaked paint, crumble, crack and stain tell a story. These stories are lost forever. Great to see your sketches of the lost forever history. Can post some more of your old sketches? Why did they take down National Library?
ReplyDeleteGreat sharing... I feel you are more a Singaporean than many of us!
ReplyDeleteI am sure there are many Singaporeans out there who share the same sentiment as me. I hold dear to these old buidlings. Although I have just started to sketch seriously and one of my favourites is old buildings/houses, they are hard to find in Singapore. At best these are preserved or conserved and 'clean-up' and end up as what Buzwalker put - soulless lifestyle bars. Don, Buzwalker and everyone, if you have sketches and paintings of our old lost forever buildings please post them. Take me back in time. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteGreat post. It will be interesting if you go back and sketch that corner unit at Club Street. It is so different now.
ReplyDeleteI have one of a Burger King joint at Orchard Point about twelve years ago.
ReplyDeleteAnd a couple of the steps at Centrepoint twelve or thirteen years ago too.
However, I do have photos of the old Cathay, Colombo Court, Phoenix Hotel, Specialists Centre and a few other places.
ReplyDeleteI remember the old Cross Street before it was transformed. It was such a pity. I wish that I had old photos of that place.
ReplyDelete