By Lush Tan and William Sim
"Every city is a living poem,
made up of moments, places, and emotions that endure."
Tenacity of Memories - A New World
is our largest sculpture to date, a visual poem
where architecture becomes a bearing of memories, and familiar forms dissolve into recollection.
Tenacity of Memories - A New World
80 x 80 x 180 cm
Resin, Steel and Watercolour on Acid-free Paper
Sculpture is housed in a custom designed glass display
Held in the private collection of
Mr Alan Lim
First installation site
The sculpture reflects the elusive nature of memory, portraying recognisable yet transformed structures that mirror the abstraction inherent in recollection. One may pass by a building countless times without registering its factual details, yet still carry a deep impression of its presence. The buildings represented in the sculpture are thus altered in proportion and detail, a reflection of how memories can be both tenacious and fallible. What remains are the impressions and emotions tied to these places. Over time, such fragments of architecture and space connect and reassemble themselves into a puzzle-like landscape within our minds.
Beyond its meditation on memory, the sculpture also embodies the passage of time, blending elements from different eras within its architecture. Cultural resonance emerges through scattered relics that evoke curiosity, inviting viewers to unravel stories from bygone times.
As seen with the Cathay Building, the past is juxtaposed with contemporary touches. A movie billboard advertising the 1960 premiere of The Lion City, Singapore's first Chinese film produced by Cathay-Keris, graces its façade, while a Balloon Dog sculpture by Whatshisname stands at its entrance. Such instances of juxtaposition, where the past and modernity share the same space are woven throughout the work, awaiting the viewer’s discovery.
Second installation site
"A city transcends mere human-made constructs of culture and technology,
it is a harmonious intersection where nature asserts its demand for equality,
and its urban landscape emerges as a result of the intricate interplay between cultural and natural forces.
Within its boundaries is a dynamic tapestry of experiences and shared moments."
The smooth-coated otter, native to Singapore, holds the status of our unofficial mascot. The otter’s presence in our city is a living testament to Singapore’s City in Nature vision, a biophilic paradise where urban life and wildlife coexist in harmony. Here, it supports the entire assemblage, a visual expression of the delicate balance between our urban and natural heritage. This signifies that both elements coexist harmoniously, forming an integral part of our collective identity.
The sculpture draws from a wide spectrum of architectural landmarks, structures that have shaped our urban imagination over the past century, including:
The Old Hill Street Police Station (formerly known as the MICA Building), Cathay Building, 53 Lorong 5 Toa Payoh (VIP block), National Gallery Singapore, New World Amusement Park, Tiong Bahru Estate, The Madras Hotel, Capitol Theatre, The Big Splash, Golden Theatre, Overseas Union House - Collyer Quay (Neptune Theatre), Katong Shopping Centre, Toa Payoh Town Park Observation Tower, 64 Club Street, 65 Club Street, People’s Park Complex, Central Fire Station, Blk 71 Commonwealth Drive and Ayer Rajah Telephone Exchange.