In Singapore, a heavily policed city-state where graffiti is banned, artists have transformed an old shopping center by covering its walls with tags and colorful paints while offering workshops to breathe new life into an abandoned space.
PHOTO ROSLAN RAHMAN, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
After about half a century of existence, the Peace Center is slated for demolition within a few months. In the meantime, it is one of the rare places of expression in this financial center where authorization from the authorities is necessary for any street performance.
PHOTO ROSLAN RAHMAN, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Last August, entrepreneur Gary Hong convinced developers to postpone the demolition of the aging shopping center. He thus obtained the right to use this space to conduct “a social experiment aimed at bringing the population together,” Gary Hong explained to AFP.
PHOTO ROSLAN RAHMAN, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
The place was made available to its collective, called PlayPan, to host shows and workshops for several months, thus allowing artists, students, NGOs and small businesses to set up for free or at special rates. reduced.
PHOTO ROSLAN RAHMAN, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
This eclectic mix of pop-up shops, art tours and musical performances has transformed this once uninspiring shopping center into an unexpected arts venue. At the end of January, however, it will have to close its doors, signaling the end of this artistic project.
PHOTO ROSLAN RAHMAN, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
The Peace Center has long been a popular shopping center, but it has lost its luster as more and more glitzy malls have been built. For around twenty years, he was known in particular for his sordid karaokes.
PHOTO ROSLAN RAHMAN, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Since its transformation into an art space, young Singaporeans have been able to attend graffiti workshops and paint now-drawn curtains with spray cans while onlookers look at second-hand clothes or exhibitions.