Building Blocks: A Portfolio of Architectural Photographs by Darren Soh

11 Jan – 10 Feb 2007

Kay Ngee Tan Architects Gallery is pleased to present Building Blocks: A Portfolio of Architectural Photographs, an exhibition showcasing the architectural images of photographer Darren Soh.

A commercial and editorial photographer by day, Darren was one of two photographers commissioned by Design Singapore Council to produce images showcasing Singapore at the 10th International Architecture Exhibition of the Venice Biennale 2006. Darren is perhaps better known for his nocturnal urban landscapes of Singapore exhibited at the Esplanade Tunnel in 2005. Titled “While You Were Sleeping,” these images showed familiar yet often overlooked vistas of Singapore, bathed in the mysterious light of night.

Shifting the focus of his lens onto urban structures, Darren once again has chosen to elevate a subject that is commonplace and therefore disregarded by most people: high-rise residences.

The idea of photographing residential buildings took root when Darren was commissioned to contribute images to Canvas, an anthology of photographic works by Singaporean photographers. This anthology was presented to delegates at the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Board of Governors Annual Meetings 2006 held in Singapore. While working on this project, Darren realised how varied and graphically interesting these seemingly homogeneous HDB residences could be when they were observed in greater detail. On another level, Darren wanted to debunk the myth that high-rise residential structures in Singapore de-individualize their inhabitants.

Photographed with a large format camera in and around HDB estates in Singapore, the images from Building Blocks come together as a formal study of shapes and textures which exalt the vernacular. At the same time, identities of individual residents living in these housing units have been reasserted in Darren’s images. Details in these homes that might be easily overlooked are now made apparent by the photographer’s deliberate photographic framing and inclusion.

A Different Perspective
Click to read this independent review.

Tay Kay Chin Revisits Meulaboh

Tay Kay Chin made a short trip to Meulaboh, Aceh in early December this year. Here are some of his observations on the current state of Meulaboh two years after it was hit by the 2004 Asian Tsunami.

Forum #3 - Save the date!

Photographing Grief: “Regarding the Pain of Others”
Saturday, January 6, 2-5 pm

Borrowing its subtitle from Susan Sontag, the third monthly forum at Kay Ngee Tan Architects Gallery will investigate what it means to photograph the pain of others, as exhibitors from Remembering Tsunami share their experiences photographing at ground zero of the 2004 Asian Tsunami.

Remembering Tsunami: A Group Photo Exhibit

© Sng Li Wei

Thursday, 21 December, 2006 – Saturday, 6 January, 2007
Opening Reception (BYOBA): Thursday, 21 December, 7:30 pm

Kay Ngee Tan Architects Gallery is proud to present a very special photo exhibition entitled Remembering Tsunami to commemorate the second anniversary of the 2004 Asian Tsunami.

Curated by photographer Tay Kay Chin, nine photographers—who have all been to ground zero, be it Aceh, Phuket or Galle—have been invited to each submit one photograph for the exhibition. Each picture reflects on the tsunami in its own way and is supported by a caption written by the photographer. The images that were selected embody an overall sense of hope for the future—that those affected by the tsunami and still in need of aid will not be forgotten. Confirmed participants are Tay Kay Chin, Darren Soh, Ernest Goh, Terence Teo, Ming, Leonard Goh, Jessica Lim, Sng Li Wei, and Darren Tan. Remembering Tsunami is not-for-profit and is graciously sponsored by Epson.