The Dark Shadow Shrine

embrace the darkness; that you may see the light nestled within it......

Monday, April 24, 2017

Photographer spent 30 years capturing old HDB estates

Click HERE
For those who just did the compre and essay qn on conservation of old buildings, this article illustrates just what those old buildings stood for....But most are gone now, and together with them, the memories of the people associated with those places, and the bonds they have with the land, and probably the ties they have with the country of that land....

Note also the role of phogotgraphy and the arts here in capturing our past and heritage, in fostering our sense of belonging to a past that we may have forgotten, or which exists before we were born....

Some would argue that the old buildings can be demolished to free up soace for new taller buildings in land scarce Singapore....After all, they can be documented and preserved in photographs and art exhibits in museums and the archives, so there will still be something to remind us of the past...but can these be as effective as the real physical buildings to trigger our fond memories of the past? photos and the arts cannot be a perfect replacement of the real thing in triggering nostalgia....

Qns:
a. Photography has little artistic value today. Is this a fair comment? (NYJC 2015)
b. Can your society do without the Arts? (SAJC 2015)
c. Consider the view that the arts will play a more significant role in your society.
(TPJC 2015)
d. ‘The Arts should play a significant role in your society.’ How far do you agree?
(JJC 2015)
e. Consider the view that traditional buildings have no future in your society.
(Cam. 2016)