NDP Blog Battle 3: Where would qualify as Singapore's landmark?

I could begin by talking about the Singapore Zoo or Underwater World – they are undoubtedly one of the better known features of Singapore when one discludes the Merlion. I'd rather not talk about the Merlion at all - a sore reminder to the fish-out-of-water syndrome that Singaporeans sometimes face, now excerbated by the whole debate over what's "Good English" and how our "Singlish" can fit into the world. (Shouldn't it be the other way round?)

I digress.

So kids, where where why when how would qualify as Singapore's landmark? The parameters should, but by no means rigidly follow, be something like: the landmark needs to be identifiable by all Singaporeans (and preferably some foreigners), it needs to mean something to Singapore - not just economically but to Singapore's soul as a whole. Does it, or did it change something about Singapore? Or enhance it?

For that reason, I feel that perhaps, the Esplanade can be considered as Singapore's landmark. Personal reasons aside, everyone from our white-suited leaders to the garang guni man has to admit that the Esplanade has made a veritable impact on Singapore. I mean, remember that fuss about how to pronounced the damned name? Was it Ess plah nad or Ess plah naid or Ess plei nad or whatever variation our Singaporean kiasuness could cook up. Mention the "durians" to anyone on the street and people will immediately think of our Esplanade (unless you're talking to durian lovers who happen to be around Geylang for that perfect D-24 durian).



No really, look it at. The very conception of it was meant to create uproar, controversy and instill some sort of National Pride^TM. Call it the Durians, Fly-Eyes, Madonna's flattened metallic conical bras, a hidden fortress for a super high-tech Nation Defence robot, a monstrosity, an architectural wonder, the Esplanade no doubt is a permanent fixture in the Singapore landscape.



Perhaps in an somewhat idealistic fashion, the Esplanade encompasses most (if not all) of Singapore's aspirations. To be a regional hub for the arts - check, an attempt to 'culturalize' and sophisticate Singaporeans through an exposure to the arts - check, a viable economical contributor - check. Having leading regional and world acts stage their performances and concerts here not only draw thousands of Singaporeans back again each year, but also people from far and wide who travel specially to Singapore to catch their favourite band or support their drama actor on stage. How else could we have that awesome lineup during the MOSAIC festival earlier this year? Yo La Tengo, Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra all under one roof! There's no way any other venue in Singapore could host this (acoustically or spatially).



It's a meeting place, in short. A place where different cultures converge, a place where various walks of life gather to appreciate a little bit of Singapore and the rest of the world in one (or two) compact place where anyone can have a good time. Anyone from your neighbourhood ah seng to District 10 residents can watch the same production under the same roof. Sure they may hate each other, or not understand the full meaning of what they're listening or watching to, but they all seem to get the same feeling of "hey something is happening here". It's the very intention of the Esplanade to try to eliminate social barriers and let everyone enjoy the arts (it's not a hoity-toity high class thing lah) that makes it a landmark to me.

At night, the Esplanade is probably at its best - the silvery spikes of the durians catching the soft glow of the night lights and giving the structure a rather surreal atmosphere. You have a classical performance going on inside, the rumble of the percussion giving the people standing outside a vague reminder that something magical is taking place inside. On the other side of the Esplanade, there's breakdancing by the bay to the beats of hip-hop and hard rocking tunes. There might be a live band playing anything from classical rock to new age pop.



Somehow, this blimp on the Singapore scenery just means so much more to me and I hope, to every Singaporean too.

mememememe time

( Meme Time? )

I need a new phone. Or maybe I just want a new phone. Well whatever it is, I'm eyeing the Sony Ericsson models now. Nokia's N Series seems a bit problematic and unless the N76 is magically reasonably priced, I suppose the SE phones are the best for temporary un-mp3 player-ness.

I'm thinking of joining the kendo club in NUS. I've long been harbouring the idea, of learning kendo, but my incompatibility with sports kind of prevents me from acting on it. :D() I shall give it a try though!

I went shopping with Yen today at Marina Square and I'm sad to say that I'm very much poorer. My closet's much, much richer now, with 4 blousesblice/shirts, a hoody-thing, a spagetti strapped top (I know zomg) and a piano belt. I am feeling slightly, just slightly more girly now.