Uniquely Singapore, Distinctively London? is supported by the Singapore International Foundation (SIF), Contact Singapore, Singapore Tourism Board and Singapore Symphony Orchestra. It is presented as part of a group exhibition called Uniquely Singapore? a generi-City project, showcasing works from the diverse creative industries from UK based Singaporeans and is part of the London Design festival. The exhibition opens at The Crypt Gallery on Euston Road with a private view and reception on 16 September 2010 from 6:30 - 9:00pm and the exhibition will continue to 19 September 2010.
Uniquely Singapore, Distinctively London? Is an Architectural Photographic exhibition derived from ongoing conversations on generic spaces between six pairs of architects and architectural students in London and Singapore over the past year. An online version of this dialogue was launch during The London Festival of Architecture, www.generi-city.net. This exhibition will conclude on 19 September with a discussion forum comprising of correspondents' presentation, followed by a panel discussion. Panellists include, Kathryn Firth (Director of Urban Design, PLP Architecture), William Tan (Architect, Zaha Hadid Architects) and Ting-Ting Zhang (Architect, Studio Egret West).
Using photography as a medium of observation, communication and representation, this project has been a series of ongoing conversations on generic spaces between six pairs of architects and architectural students in London and Singapore over the past year. Six key activity spaces (Transit, Eating, Leisure, Retail, Living and Occupational) that define our contemporary life have been identified as the basis for discussion. This exhibition showcases the collective findings by the correspondents.The main position of the project arise from the prevailing condition of cities striving to be unique through icons, but yet reinforcing the generic with cities made the same through the endless repetition of differences by the same set of building programs and signature ‘starchitecture’ styles. Therefore, rather than claiming uniqueness through cultural references in architectural expression or iconic figurative gestures; this project questions and rediscovers the uniqueness of urban spaces through the most generic and banal scenes of everyday life. Perhaps, the uniqueness of the city can only be revealed through celebrating the generic.
Uniquely Singapore, Distinctively London? Participants:
Kelvin Ang - Head of Heritage Studies, URA
Vince Ong - Architect, Fosters and Partners
Justin Zhuang - Writer, reclaimland.sg
Lingxiu Chong - Architectural Student, AA
Randy Tan - Director, ZARCH
Agnes Yit - Architectural Student, AA
May Anne Lee - Director, Makk Architects
Kevin Hung - Architect, Serie Architecture
Yue Han Teow - Media Student, NTU
Janita Han - Architect, Fashion Architecture Taste (F.A.T)
Voon Wong - Director, voonwong&bensonsaw
Yicheng Pan - Director, Project Architecture and the City (P.A.C)
Fabrizio Matillana - Architectural Assistant, AStudio Architecture Ltd.
Johnny Gao - Graduate, AA
