Fragment of a Shoreline
14 Jan–3 Feb 2022
10am–midnight
Padang
With this work, an urban beach resurfaces along Singapore’s old coastline from 1843.
By unearthing a historical fragment of Singapore’s mutable shoreline, the installation explores the embedded psychogeographies of Singapore’s land reclamation and urban development since its colonial founding. The odd fragment of the shoreline that is far displaced from Singapore’s current land boundary elicits questions of how this urban district has evolved, and why. At the site of the Padang, the installation subtly recalls the myths of the nation’s history prior to its colonial past, and post-independence development. Rewinding 179 years of historical activity, the installation is an intervention of a pristine fragment of the past and invites viewers to contemplate the pliability of our urban ground. Embedded within the installation are ten stories, that aim to continue the conversation about Singapore’s layered land.
The installation is located at Padang, which is not accessible by wheelchair. The surroundings might be dim as the sand seating area is lit only by cove lighting.
Using architecture as a springboard, Akai Chew works with histories, cartography, and urban memories working in photography, maps and installation art. With a focus on the everyday artefacts of the city, Spatial Anatomy (Calvin Chua and Aurelia Chan) designs objects, spaces and strategies through built works, research and exhibitions regionally.
