Exhibition: Perspectives from the Ideal City

A photo exhibition by architect, educator, sculptor and photographer Peter Chen that documents familiar civic icons in various states of abandonment, stasis or disappearance, 'Perspectives from the Ideal City' calls into question whether architecture is still responsible for urban form, or if urban form can still have the power to consolidate shared social meaning.

The subjects in this series of black and white panoramic prints are post-independence landmarks and civic structures that had, at some point or another, contributed to the identity of the nation. These images reflect the radical way the city has departed from utopian models of idealised urban typologies. Shot from a one-point perspective, these photographic [im]prints capture the fragile 'as-is' conditions of these once glorious but currently overlooked structures as transient fragments of the contemporary city. Statically framed images capture the physical fabric of the city unadorned, allowing questions in the inherent physical, cultural and emotional values embodied in these structures to precipitate.

Visitors to the exhibition will be able to recognise familiar structures – such as the remnants of the National Library, and a rare shot of the National Stadium captured in the midst of demolition – and be able to engage with the power that these structures still hold in their memories. Reflecting on the intention of his first solo exhibition, Peter Chen said, "I hope the works will be able to trigger an awareness of our changing urbanscape, as well as allow us to examine our attitudes and beliefs toward a city of a seemingly provisional nature in hope that it will eventually reveal what we know and assume about our self identity."

Planned as a metaphorical mirror to the life of some of these buildings, the exhibition is celebrated on the last day. At the closing reception (7pm on 2 Mar), visitors are able to view the prints for a couple of hours before the curtain closes on the exhibition.

Exhibition hours are 6-10pm (Tue-Fri), 2-10pm (Sat+Sun). Come witness the exhibition before it disappears. Do RSVP to bluecloudwork@gmail.com for the Closing Reception that will mark the grand finale of the show.

Peter Chen is currently an assistant professor with the School of Art, Design and Media at Nanyang Technological University. This exhibition is part of Peter Chen's ongoing research with the Nanyang Technological University.

Show Room, Post-Museum

107+109 Rowell Road

Singapore, Singapore

Photo Credits: Pete Chen & Carrie Chong