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Urbanfork in Singapore
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Urbanfork is echoing the quote by Michel Serres: « The change of meaning, even minimal, is creating meaning… and if there were no forking, there would be no meaning … ». Following an original work on the Peripheric Boulevard in Paris, Philippe
Diversy, in duo with photograph Bob Lee (
李欣赏
), is now concentrating his attention on the large building that have been built in
Singapore back in the 60’s.
The architectural heritage of a city or a territory is more than the simple
collection of elements that have been gathered in a place: it is an evolving
process by which, generation after generation, a community builds the narrative
that provides a meaning to its uniqueness. It is also the mark of the
successive blendings and sedimentations that have forged the unique character
of the territory. It is eventually the result of the multiple eyes that have
been contemplating this irreplaceable element.
In 2013, Philippe Diversy diverted the messages on light advertisements
installed on a number of buildings next to the peripheric boulevard, as a way
to attract attention on their heritage value
The
SAMSUNG
neon sign that ornates one of the buildings from the
Cité Universitaire Internationale
was thus transformed and replaced by mention of the name of the architect of
the building:
CLAUDE PARENT.
By doing so, Philippe Diversy’s objective was to enhance (as a way to regain ownership) the heritage value of
the building, by ostensibly signing them with the name of their creator. It
thus enables anyone to decipher, interpret and meditate while watching his
work: « Urbanfork » à Paris :
http://urbanfork.fr
In Singapore, due to the growth of the population (from 1,6 million inhabitants
in 1960 to more than 5,3 millions today) the government ordered the
construction of large buildings. Today, the architectural heritage from this
period is of much interest.
Jean Wee, Director Preservation of Sites and Monuments, National Heritage Board,
explains that
« some buildings from the 60’s and 70’s are interesting because they are testimonies from Singaporean architects
efforts to create their own style. As such they are part of the city-State
history ».
Nevertheless, the constructions from this period tend not to be appreciated by
Singaporeans as much as they should. It is this very situation that on the
first place stirred the attention of the parisian graphic designer Philippe
Diversy and the Singapore based photograph Bob Lee (
李欣赏
).
How can we help the Singapore inhabitants regain ownership of this heritage ?
The answer is to be found in the continuity of the work realized in Paris back
in 2013: « Urbanfork » in Singapore :
http://urbanfork.fr
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