Chinatown Display Aims To Celebrate Diversity, But Netizens Think They Look Like Memorial Photos

Netizens Joke That Chinatown Photo Display Looks Like A  Memorial

There are many things in Singapore that exude diversity, from our religious beliefs to food and even our culture.

So it only seems natural that Singapore International Photography Festival (SIPF) chose to bring a global art project that celebrates diversity to our nation.

Named the Inside Out Project, the outdoor exhibition is basically a travelling photo series featuring portraits of individuals plastered on buildings.

37 Emerald Hill
Source

Although the series has found its way around Singapore since last October, its current installation drew flak from netizens.

Source

Now located outside a temple at Kreta Ayer, the display was mocked for resembling a memorial site.

Photo installation at Kreta Ayer Square

If you’ve travelled to Chinatown lately, you might have noticed an installation that looks a little peculiar at Kreta Ayer Square.

Source

Since 31 Dec, black-and-white portraits of Singaporeans from all walks of life have been placed on wooden scaffolding in front of the iconic Buddha Tooth Relic Temple.

 

Source

Netizens critique that Chinatown display looks like memorial photos

The Inside Out Project aims to showcase individuals’ stories and celebrate diversity and community spirit.

However, the well-meaning photo exhibit at Chinatown recently drew mockery online.

Many netizens commented that instead of an art exhibit, it looked almost like a memorial.

Translation: In all honesty, it really looks like memorial photos.
Source

The black-and-white photos even reminded some Facebook users of funeral photos.

Translation: All Black and white — resembles funeral photos.
Source

This netizen pointed out that with the temple in the background, it’s hard for such an exhibit not to look sombre.

Translation: This is probably a location problem. Chinatown? Buddha Tooth Relic Temple. If the exhibit was in front of Kwan Im Thong Temple it will be the same. Why place it in front of a temple?
Source

MS News has reached out to SIPF for a response to the criticism.

The Inside Out project

The Inside Out Project has been moving around Singapore since last October.

Tekka Centre
Source

It was previously displayed at well-known locations like Tekka Centre and The Substation.

The Substation
Source

The project has even made an appearance at the Malay Heritage Center in Kampong Glam.

Malay Heritage Center
Source

Created by an artist that goes by ‘JR‘ – famed for his black and white street art – the Inside Out project has reached over 129 countries to date.

Here in Singapore, it commemorates our diversity by capturing portraits of everyday ordinary people, allowing them to share their stories.

Source

It aims to enable Singaporeans to reclaim our public spaces and on a deeper level, ignite a the community spirit.

Check out the Chinatown display for yourself

The Inside Out Project at Kreta Ayer might have missed its mark in terms of invoking feelings of diversity, togetherness, and hope in Singaporeans.

But the collision of modern art with culture and history such as that found in Chinatown and Buddha Relic Tooth Temple is arguably, an art form in itself.

If you wish to check out the exhibit for yourself, Inside Out will still be on display at Kreta Ayer until 30 Jan.

Have news you must share? Get in touch with us via email at hello@mustsharenews.com.

Featured image adapted from Singapore International Photography Festival.

Sabrina Seng

Sabrina is always facing some form of existential crisis but other than that, she's pretty chill.

Recent Posts

2 community cats die after being hit by cars in Marine Terrace, caregivers seeking footage

The driver who hit one of the cats purportedly denied doing so behaved angrily.

23 Nov 2024, 1:33 am

‘Tiger Candy’ contains erectile dysfunction medicine, may cause painful & exceedingly long erections: SFA

It has been marketed online as a candy that helps with male sexual enhancement.

23 Nov 2024, 12:11 am

Pop Mart pursuing legal action over unauthorised use of Labubu images by certain brands

"POP MART does not have any official licensed partners in Singapore," it said.

22 Nov 2024, 11:25 pm

Heavy rain on 22 Nov causes flash floods in Yishun & Potong Pasir, 127.7mm recorded in northern S’pore

51% of Singapore's average monthly rainfall in November fell in northern Singapore over less than…

22 Nov 2024, 10:27 pm

Pilot treats passengers to pizzas after emergency landing causes hours-long delay in the US

He made sure all the passengers were served before taking a slice for himself.

22 Nov 2024, 6:32 pm

Woman in China grows ‘trident’ flesh on fingernail, apparently due to improper & frequent manicures

The doctor recommended a 2-week gap between manicures to allow nails to recover.

22 Nov 2024, 6:08 pm