Mall’s eclectic swansong

Singapore – Graffiti is banned in Singapore, but young creatives have taken over an abandoned mall, spray painting murals and holding art workshops to bring the space back to life.

About half a century old, Peace Centre is scheduled to face the wrecking ball this year, but people say it has provided a rare space for self-expression.

Permission from authorities is required for any kind of street art in the Southeast Asian country.

Last August, PlayPan, an initiative cofounded by entrepreneur Gary Hong, convinced developers to postpone the mall’s demolition.

He was told they could use the space for several months for “a social experiment to bring [the] community together”, Hong said.

Artists, students, charities and small businesses could set up shop for free, or at heavily discounted rates.

The eclectic mix of popup stores, art tours and musical performances has transformed the once lacklustre mall into an unexpected art haven.

The mall will close definitively next week, bringing an end to the project.

Since its revamp, young people have attended graffiti workshops, colouring shuttered shop fronts with spray cans while people browsed through second-hand clothing stalls and exhibits.

The bathroom walls and mirrors are splattered with graffiti, while a Rage Against The Machine song blares from a pop-up store.

Craft cocktails are served on the ground floor and, nearby, death metal CDs and trinkets were on sale.

Such spaces are uncommon in Singapore, a top financial hub in Asia.

“I think you just got to know where to look. The government can curate things, but people are still going to do their own thing,” said Ning Fei, 34, who was selling typewritten poems.

The outer walls are plastered with flyers, advertising activities from ukulele classes to pebble painting, while a futuristic mural welcomed visitors at the entrance.

Gabriel, a 43-year-old photographer who asked to be identified only by his first name, set up a booth to take portraits of passers-by for charity.

“The energy here was really exciting,” he said, describing the vibe as “very organic”.

“I’m going to miss this community.” –