http://www1.visitsingapore.com/articles/images/finalists/me_lee_tiah.jpg

http://www1.visitsingapore.com/sections/images/me_hi_ban.gif

The Merlion was designed as an emblem for the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) in 1964. The designer was Mr Fraser Brunner, a member of the souvenir committee and a curator of the Van Kleef Aquarium.

The Merlion has a lion head and a fish body resting on a crest of waves. The lion head symbolises the legend of the rediscovery of Singapura, as recorded in the "Malay Annals". In ancient times, Singapore was known as Temasek, a Javanese word for sea. In the 11th century A.D, Prince Sang Nila Utama of the Sri Vijaya Empire rediscovered the island. When the Prince first landed on Singapore's shores, he sighted a mystical beast which he later learnt was a lion. The Prince then decided to name the island "Singapura" which in Sanskrit means Lion (Singa) City (Pura). The fish tail of the Merlion symbolises the ancient city of Temasek and represents Singapore's humble beginnings as a fishing village.

The Merlion statue, measuring 8.6 metres high and weighing 70 tonnes, was built by the late Singapore craftsman, Mr Lim Nang Seng. It is made of cement fondue. A smaller Merlion statue, measuring two metres high and weighing three tonnes was also built by Mr Lim. The body is made of cement fondue, the skin from porcelain plates and eyes from small red teacups.

http://www1.visitsingapore.com/sections/images/merlion/me_hi_i2.jpg

Its First home

The Merlion and the Cub were originally located by the Esplanade Bridge, just 120 metres from their present location. Also called the Merlion Park, the area soon became a popular tourist attraction and took its place among the famous landmarks of great cities of the world. Mr Lee Kuan Yew, the then Prime Minister of Singapore, officiated the installation ceremony of the Merlion on 15 September 1972. A bronze plaque commemorated the auspicious occasion with the inscription, "The Merlion has been erected as a symbol to welcome all visitors to Singapore".

Today, the Merlion attracts more than one million visitors a year who make the trip to the Merlion Park to photograph this world famous icon.

http://www1.visitsingapore.com/articles/images/me_me_fi_i.jpg

http://www1.visitsingapore.com/sections/images/me_lo_ban.gif

http://www1.visitsingapore.com/sections/images/merlion/me_lo_i.jpg

The Merlion's current home is adjacent to One Fullerton, on a newly constructed 2,500 square metre park. One Fullerton offers a choice of waterfront restaurants, lounges and dance clubs.
The area also comprises a promontory with terraced seating, and a viewing deck to hold up to 300 people as well as a boat landing point that allows visitors to disembark from river taxis. The viewing deck provides photographers with unrivalled vistas of the Merlion against the city skyline and the scenic Marina Bay, including landmarks such as The Fullerton Singapore and Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay.

The Merlion Cub is located 28 metres behind the Merlion. Pump systems for the Merlion and the Merlion cub have been installed to enable both to spout water throughout the day and night.

http://www1.visitsingapore.com/sections/images/me_fq_ban.gif

Q: Who designed the Merlion?
A: The Merlion was designed in 1964 by Mr Fraser Brunner, a member of the souvenir committee and a curator of the Van Kleef Aquarium. On 20 July 1966, the Merlion was registered as the trademark of STB.

Q: Who built the Merlion?
A: The Merlion statue, measuring 8.6 metres high and weighing 70 tonnes, was built by the late Singapore craftsman, Mr Lim Nang Seng. The Merlion cub was also built by Mr Lim.

http://www1.visitsingapore.com/articles/images/me_me_ph_i.jpg

Q: What is the Merlion made of?
A: The body of the Merlion is made of cement fondue, the skin from porcelain plates and eyes from small red teacups.

Q: What does the Merlion symbolise?
A: The Merlion has a lion head and a fish body resting on a crest of waves. The lion head symbolises the legend of the rediscovery of Singapura, as recorded in the "Malay Annals". In ancient times, Singapore was known as Temasek, a Javanese word for sea. In the 11th century A.D, Prince Sang Nila Utama of the Sri Vijaya Empire rediscovered the island. When the Prince first landed on Singapore's shores, he sighted a mystical beast which he later learnt was a lion. The Prince then decided to name the island "Singapura" which in Sanskrit means Lion (Singa) City (Pura). The fish tail of the Merlion symbolises the ancient city of Temasek and represents Singapore's humble beginnings as a fishing village.

Q: Where was the Merlion's original home?
A: The Merlion was originally located by the Esplanade Bridge, just 120 metres from their present location. Both the Merlion and the cub was moved between 23 and 25 April 2002.

http://www1.visitsingapore.com/articles/images/me_me_fi_i.jpg

Q: How was the move done?
A: The process involved:
- hoisting the Merlion onto the barge
- sailing the barge to the foot of the Esplanade Bridge
- hoisting the Merlion over the bridge back onto the barge
- installing the Merlion at its new home

http://www1.visitsingapore.com/articles/images/me_fi_i1.jpg http://www1.visitsingapore.com/articles/images/me_fi_i2.jpg

http://www1.visitsingapore.com/articles/images/me_fi_i3.jpg http://www1.visitsingapore.com/articles/images/me_fi_i4.jpg

http://www1.visitsingapore.com/articles/images/me_fi_i5.jpg

Q: How was restoration done?
A: The Merlion was washed and stripped of its old coat of paint and stains. The Merlion cub had its old damaged porcelain tiles replaced by new pieces of porcelain plates, bowls, spoons and ash trays donated by The Fullerton Singapore. Glass sculptured waves in hues of blue were built at the base of the Merlion and the cub. These waves are illuminated by spotlights. A new improved water pump system was also installed to enable the Merlion to spout water. The system consists of two pump units especially designed for pumping sea water. The pump units work alternately, with one on standby at any one time. In addition to the water spout, both the Merlion and the Merlion cub have cascading water overflowing from their wave-like pedestals.

http://www1.visitsingapore.com/sections/images/me_re_i2.jpg http://www1.visitsingapore.com/sections/images/me_re_i1.jpg

Q: How much did the relocation and the new home of the Merlion cost?
A: SGD 7.5 million

http://www1.visitsingapore.com/articles/images/finalists/me_woo_fook.jpg

http://www1.visitsingapore.com/articles/images/finalists/me_cheong.jpg

http://www1.visitsingapore.com/articles/images/finalists/me_tan_wee.jpg

During the grand opening of the Esplanade...

http://www1.visitsingapore.com/articles/images/finalists/me_ong_kian.jpg

http://www1.visitsingapore.com/articles/images/finalists/me_lee_yew.jpg

http://www1.visitsingapore.com/articles/images/finalists/me_tan_choon.jpg

That's so beautiful!
Isn't the first pic the winner of the Merlion photo competition?

I think so...in fact...all of these were the finalist winners I think. ;) There are more coming up. :D

Never really thought much of the merlion until my interest in scrapers started. The opening of the Esplanade also raised its profile.

Love it!
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/2/103s14.jpg

http://www1.visitsingapore.com/articles/images/finalists/me_yau_wai.jpg

http://www1.visitsingapore.com/articles/images/finalists/me_ang_ker.jpg

Stunning pictures!!!!

everytime i think of the Merlion, i think of that big version they have in Sentosa. this merlion only pops up after.

http://www1.visitsingapore.com/articles/images/finalists/me_chan_chye.jpg

http://www1.visitsingapore.com/articles/images/finalists/me_dr_ng_siew.jpg

http://www1.visitsingapore.com/articles/images/finalists/me_lui_hock.jpg

huh?! where did that boatman in that funny boat in that funnier hat appear from? where's the time portal?!

Isnt that the traditional river boat??

Those last pics are gorgeous! :eek:

and that pic heirloom was referring to is just so Asian:cheers:

Yeah....but heir seems to think its done in bad taste. :D

Ironically, that is the image that actually appeals to foreigners..a Far eastern city of fables.....

noooo.. i'm just surprised... and worried about the image it presents to foreigners... that there are still such undeveloped ummm occupations in sg.. well there aren't and that is a misrepresentation. *complains to case* hahaha

Originally posted by huaiwei

http://www1.visitsingapore.com/articles/images/finalists/me_yau_wai.jpg


In this picture it seems to be guarding Singapore's shores. How sweet of it!;)

Originally posted by heirloom

noooo.. i'm just surprised... and worried about the image it presents to foreigners... that there are still such undeveloped ummm occupations in sg.. well there aren't and that is a misrepresentation. *complains to case* hahaha I suppose you are the kind who wants trishaw riders of the streats too? :D

Originally posted by huaiwei

I suppose you are the kind who wants trishaw riders of the streats too? :D

Lot's of typographical errors there. Hmm... lol ;)

Hundreds of trishaws streak past my church every sunday blaring loud music. Japanese tourists, especially... Heh

Originally posted by EyeToEye

Lot's of typographical errors there. Hmm... lol ;)

Hundreds of trishaws streak past my church every sunday blaring loud music. Japanese tourists, especially... Heh Wheres yr church? Sounds like its one of those downtown ones....St Andrew's??

Its actually along Middle road. Really really close to where the new national library will be. Excellent views of Millenia Tower from the nearby road junction!

Originally posted by EyeToEye

Its actually along Middle road. Really really close to where the new national library will be. Excellent views of Millenia Tower from the nearby road junction! Dont tell me you are a convent gal........

Originally posted by huaiwei

I suppose you are the kind who wants trishaw riders of the streats too? :D

oh . yeah. never occurred to me but no i dont want them off the street.. just wish the trishaws look a bit nicer... and less icky music... they dont earn that little? 25 dollars a trip?

Originally posted by huaiwei

Dont tell me you are a convent gal........

Har? I don't get you.

I go to prinsep street presbyterian. I posted some pics in the religious buildings thread.

Originally posted by heirloom

oh . yeah. never occurred to me but no i dont want them off the street.. just wish the trishaws look a bit nicer... and less icky music... they dont earn that little? 25 dollars a trip? But if you modify trishaws to "look nicer," then they wont be called trishaws anymore, would they? ;)

Rickshaws, anyone? :D

Originally posted by EyeToEye

Har? I don't get you.

I go to prinsep street presbyterian. I posted some pics in the religious buildings thread. Oh....coz the only church I see in that area is St Joseph's Church. :D

Originally posted by huaiwei

But if you modify trishaws to "look nicer," then they wont be called trishaws anymore, would they? ;)

Rickshaws, anyone? :D

i mean.. some look a bit umm decrepit.. restore to original sparkling condition at least?

Looks fine to me!

Pics by Darecky
http://www.sky.s64.pl/home/W/Sing/sl04.jpg
http://www.sky.s64.pl/home/W/Sing/sbn14.jpg

Land of fables

this trishaw rider should dress better

http://www.ruta-imperios.com/images/cronicas/Cronica55/SG-052retcal5.JPG

but yes generally trishaws and their riders have been - um excuse me if this sounds rude / impolite - 'improving'.

Although you wouldnt find me riding a trishaw, if i had to pick one I'd pick the first one I posted.

Then again as to what is suitable attire for the driver, I say dress the way that will bring you the most customers. Play cheesy music if thats what they like too:cool:

S$0.02

A$0.02=S$0.026 :bleh:

even since i saw the "myth" of the merlion @ sentosa, i find it an eyesore... really hope they demolished it b4 the tourists believe that the legend really existed... Who is the idiot who came up with this lame legend?! :bleep:

Originally posted by kenmin

even since i saw the "myth" of the merlion @ sentosa, i find it an eyesore... really hope they demolished it b4 the tourists believe that the legend really existed... Who is the idiot who came up with this lame legend?! :bleep: Must be someone from STB hoping for a quick promotion.......

and um which idiot approved...

i dont think anyone would actually believe it? but actually umm i've come to like the merlion... its quite funny to look at... its a fun symbol.. gay lion?

Fun?? I dont noe, but it looks garang to me. I loved to draw it when young! ;)

Originally posted by kenmin

even since i saw the "myth" of the merlion @ sentosa, i find it an eyesore... really hope they demolished it b4 the tourists believe that the legend really existed... Who is the idiot who came up with this lame legend?! :bleep:

Well the merlion @ sentosa was erected at a time when Sentosa didnt have a real direction? Anyway they are now going through another revamp lets hope it will bring in more tourists.

S$0.026

Originally posted by RafflesCity

Well the merlion @ sentosa was erected at a time when Sentosa didnt have a real direction? Anyway they are now going through another revamp lets hope it will bring in more tourists.

S$0.026 Yet another revamp?? Goodness...now wat? Fireworks erupting from the statue?

but the merlion is really unique... who on earth could come up with a combination of LION & MERMAID?!?!?!!?!?!?! Wallpaper* mag described it as androgynous or something haha..

Originally posted by heirloom

but the merlion is really unique... who on earth could come up with a combination of LION & MERMAID?!?!?!!?!?!?! Wallpaper* mag described it as androgynous or something haha..

Yup. Just be glad they didnt come up with this.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4df10b3127cce87f99a9de8590000001610

! that could be merlion's new friend! maybe a hamster-headed dragon could work :D oh there's this legend about some swordfish catastrophe in the temasek era? hrmmm maybe swordfishlion

interesting...theres also a saying that the prince didnt really spot a lion, rather a tiger, and Singapore might have been known as Musangpore:dizzy:

Hm.....a mertiger?? Wonder how it is going to look like....

Hehehe

French honours best in business with Merlions

By Rachel Lin

TRUST the French to come up with a suitably glamorous name for the latest in a plethora of awards honouring entrepreneurship, this one for French-based companies operating in Singapore. The awards, which were presented last night, are named 'Les Merlions d'Or' or The Gold Merlions.

Created to honour the most shining examples of French entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), this event was organised by the economic department of the French Embassy, the French Trade Advisers and the French Chamber of Commerce.

The award for the best enterprise went to Murex, a specialist in the commercialisation and business development of e-commerce. Murex provides solutions for the trading, risk management software as well as processing needs of major financial institutions.

Mr Ludovic Odier, managing director of OutdoorInAsia, won the prize for the most outstanding entrepreneur. His company aims to bring the spirit of adventure and outdoor activities to groups and companies through getaway packages tailored to corporate clients.

Mr Raymond Lim, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Trade and Industry, attended the event along with Mr Jean-Paul Reau, the French Ambassador to Singapore. 'France is well-known for such creative, innovative and entrepreneurial qualities,' Mr Lim said yesterday.

He described the awards as 'a key effort by the French community in Singapore to recognise the achievements of French entrepreneurs who believe strongly in doing their Asian business out of Singapore'.

There are now 400 French subsidiaries and 45 other French-based companies in Singapore. Trade between the two countries totalled $6.4 billion last year.

Speak of endorsement for the merlion!

mertiger will just looke like a naked merlion without the mane..

Originally posted by heirloom

mertiger will just looke like a naked merlion without the mane.. And maybe with added strips down the body instead of scales? Eeee..

The Sentosa Merlion is tilted to the left alittle to make it more dramatic, its mane is also extened I think, but I still prefer the orginal one, it looks better to me.

Btw,
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4df10b3127cce87f99a9de8590000001610
LOL!!!!!:rofl:

what would you call that? catguin sounds too terrible?

Er....the other option is Pencat.....sounds almost like a brand! :D

I feel like stroking it, but I dont think it would like it...

:rofl:

and yes, the original merlion looks best:cool:

So after so much deliberation, we end up prefering the merlion? :D

The Sentosa Merlion is tilted to the left alittle to make it more dramatic, its mane is also extened I think, but I still prefer the orginal one, it looks better to me.

Btw,
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4df10b3127cce87f99a9de8590000001610
LOL!!!!!:rofl:

Wakao....this should be a "pencat"....not a merlion.....haha....:D

so cute but if used that as a symbol of Singapore would be even worse than a merlion! :D

osaka more likely perhaps

osaka more likely perhaps
But why Osaka?

um.. dunno.. anyhow say one.. japanese got reputation for liking cute cute stuff mar.. but tokyo a bit too business for pencat, so osaka lor..

Muahaha....but cuteness got limits one lah....some forms of cuteness are too revolting! :D

Yar lor. But for some reason i feel like hugging it... i'd better be careful.....

Actually, Osaka already has a mascot... a Fugu fish or something if i'm not wrong...

hrmmm sounds familiar... that's almost as 'bad cute' as pencat!

japanese got reputation for liking cute cute stuff mar..

One of the reasons why I absolutely find Anime and some of the stuff there repulsive. The only ones I like are the old ones like Doraemon which are better as cartoons and much lesser in the act-cute factor.

Eh... dun generalise okay... some anime can be very dark and mature (and i'm not talking about hentai manga)

Something cheesy...

http://www1.visitsingapore.com/download_images/images/merlion_animation5.gif

Something cheesy...

http://www1.visitsingapore.com/download_images/images/merlion_animation5.gif
:rofl:!

Anyway, I suppose the merlion will feel healthier when the sea water around it becomes fresh water? :D

The poor fellow looks exhausted........

:rofl:!

Anyway, I suppose the merlion will feel healthier when the sea water around it becomes fresh water? :D

Depends, however I think our merlion is of the salt-water kind :D

Depends, however I think our merlion is of the salt-water kind :D
Hahaah......well I was thinking in terms of the mechanism in the water pump lah. It used to break down often because the sea water was more corrosive?

It breaks down?!

That never crossed my mind all the time it seemed to be sprouting water effortlessly unless you are watching it late at night when it stops dramatically :cool:

It breaks down?!

That never crossed my mind all the time it seemed to be sprouting water effortlessly unless you are watching it late at night when it stops dramatically :cool:
I was refering to last time lah...when the Merlion was at its old location. ;)

Anyway, what time does it stop? And its dramatic??

http://www.pbase.com/image/21232361.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/image/21232362.jpg

Source: http://www.pbase.com/taicw/merlion_shots

I was refering to last time lah...when the Merlion was at its old location. ;)

Anyway, what time does it stop? And its dramatic??

actually when the merlion was at its old location I never ever saw it sprout water...

i think it stops around midnight on weekdays and 1 am weekends. Its dramatic cos your ears are accustomed to the roar of water and then suddenly it stops
:cheers:

btw thats one of the most powerful images of the merlion in the 1st pic! :eek:

The Pier is useless...

Might as well put the Merlion at the end of the pier instead of on the quay...

the pier is a nice place for viewing skylines actually... good for tourists, and myself sometimes.

Btw what happened to Merlion Park? :?

I never really paid muc attention to the merlion, admittedly. Sort of took it for granted.

the pier provides visitors an easy vantage point to look at the merlion no?

The old park is now covered in wooden panels and is empty..i think its an outdoor area for the Boathouse. There is a nice preserved mangrove tree there.

Covered in wooden panels? Such a disgrace!

erm maybe I should rephrase, covered in wooden flooring - quite nice and feels very Balinese for some reason...time you visited it!!!

Oh... okay.. I thought you'd meant with with those makeshift wooden boarding... lol... which reminds me of something i should post in the Orchard Road thread....

21 January 2004


Source
- Ignoramus

The New Merlion Park
http://img88.exs.cx/img88/4613/117226220Ohtdeb_ph.jpg
http://img12.exs.cx/img12/3447/117226203LEgcJY_ph.jpg

^
Aiyo.....why the picture tum balek?? Never rotate??

I don't know how to rotate the pictures so just bear with it...

I don't know how to rotate the pictures so just bear with it...

I rotate it for you, hang on.........

Actually in the first pic it looks kinda snazzy seen sideways. Like it! :D

Thanks alot, ig. Now my neck hurts...

I don't know how to rotate the pictures so just bear with it...

Ok done........rotated the pictures......:)

The photos. Haha. I just realised that the pipe from which water squirts out is jarringly obvious. It just spoils the whole thing. Wouldn't it be better if they put the pipe in a little deeper so it doesn't stick out so much?

Here are the rotated pictures by Ignoramus......

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v222/ylstan03/Merlion1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v222/ylstan03/merlion2.jpg

Still tumbelek leh...

Hmm.... No what....

The photos. Haha. I just realised that the pipe from which water squirts out is jarringly obvious. It just spoils the whole thing. Wouldn't it be better if they put the pipe in a little deeper so it doesn't stick out so much?

There was this letter from a reader in the Straits Times in 2002-2003 and like you, he also felt that the pipe was sticking out too much. The response from the authorities was that it was already pushed as back into the mouth as it could already while ensuring that water coming out from the pipe would be able to actually come out properly...

I see. Haha. So maybe if the pipe were put a little more into the mouth the water would collide with the teeth and spray everywhere, or just dribble out... haha

I see. Haha. So maybe if the pipe were put a little more into the mouth the water would collide with the teeth and spray everywhere, or just dribble out... haha

Then the merlion will be the vomitting merlion.......:puke::lol:

More like a drooling merlion. Haha. But i guess the spraying part does resemble vomiting...

Now thats just gross...

How come no one ever viewed the Merlion spitting out water as being gross rather than majestic... After all, stuff is definitely being vomited from it!

Now thats just gross...

How come no one ever viewed the Merlion spitting out water as being gross rather than majestic... After all, stuff is definitely being vomited from it!

Did you read Neil Humphrey's? He described what the merlion was doing as vomitting

Actually, who devised the concept of the merlion spraying water out anyway? I mean, do mermaids or lions do that?

I didn't read that but Neil Humphrey's that Straits Times Journalist is it?

He's with Today and has two published books.

Thats just art. Who ever thought that a Cupid Baby peeing in public would become such a masterpiece...displayed openly in public squares...

The pipe should be more inside, looks nice that way! :D

Yeah. They should just pump the water out at a higher pressure to make up for it.

Some shots taken from the Merlion Pier and the adjacent waterfront promenade at One Fullerton.

http://files.photojerk.com/RafflesCity/merlion.jpg
http://files.photojerk.com/RafflesCity/merlion2.jpg
http://files.photojerk.com/RafflesCity/merlion3.jpg
http://files.photojerk.com/RafflesCity/merlion4.jpg
http://files.photojerk.com/RafflesCity/merlion5.jpg

Water running off a hedgehog's back!
:rofl:

:rofl:

:rofl:

:D

huh?!

dont get what u mean :?

Hedgehog given a shower by Merlion!
:rofl:

The merlion looks so skinny from behind... Needs more exercise, i think. Needs to firm up a bit...

but u dont want it to end up with a fat butt would you? lol

need to thin its hair also. hair in thick chunks very hard to style.

Not fat, but definately more muscular along the bottom. As it is it looks a terrible lot like me: satay stick-ish and really unsightly.

Can guess the location of this Merlion??:D

http://img24.exs.cx/img24/7840/DSCN32141.jpg

that is the most hideous merlion ever.. i spent some time giggling at it

tacky! but not bad lah..someone had a creative idea :D

That's hideous!

Obviously at Changi lah.... it's kind'a cute, actually...

Here's pic taken by me.
http://img22.exs.cx/img22/5676/merlion3lk.jpg

Is it scanned in?

Is it scanned in?

Yeah, that's why the quality is not so good.

Sentosa merlion looks evil! :eek:

http://pro.corbis.com/images/AX048783.jpg?size=67&uid={e336dd80-1898-4bdc-93ba-1728fff40129}

it IS evil, its deluded a whole generation of singaporeans into thinking that their entire heritage is encapsulated in that... that... orrrbid tourism creature of the frizzy 80s! can you imagine? in the sentosa merlion gallery there is a narrative video that claims that singapore was founded by the merlion centuries ago. i was almost fooled myself! isn't that tragic?

Taken on 4 Feb 2005
Merlion@Esplanade

http://img179.exs.cx/img179/965/dscn04030eq.jpg

Taken on 4 Feb 2005
Merlion@Esplanade

http://img206.exs.cx/img206/3641/dscn04099vr.jpg

not a bad shot at all! :okay:

Miss Universe 1987 - held in Singapore

http://202.172.178.226/DJVUServer/getImage.jsp?file=/picas_data/tn_pcd/19980006373-8154-3221-2317/img0052.jpg

heh... still remember this... was disappointed Miss Columbia didn't win... :( Miss Singapore shouldn't really be in the semi-finals... Miss Chile wasn't pretty then... but, somehow she looked better after crowned... :D

yup..Singapore made it into the semi-finals that year^^

http://202.172.178.226/DJVUServer/getImage.jsp?file=/picas_data/tn_pcd/19980006376-8154-3221-0567/img0005.jpg

OMG.....I still remember that red dress(Miss Singapore)........:eek:

LOL!!! Little SIA girls, haha. I wasn't even born then.:(
So babystan and Hyacinthus were just little kids when they watched it!:D

LOL!!! Little SIA girls, haha. I wasn't even born then.:(
So babystan and Hyacinthus were just little kids when they watched it!:D

Emm.....yeah......but then I don't think I knew what was happening at that time lah......:lol:

The Sentosa Merlion is tilted to the left alittle to make it more dramatic, its mane is also extened I think, but I still prefer the orginal one, it looks better to me.



Actually I think the Sentosa Merlion is a bit ugly as compared to the original one. I think it is because of the mane and the huge lightning conductor on its head. :D

Anyway I tot the angled Sentosa Merlion is such because of Feng Shui? I read somewhere that the Merlion there had to face the CBD for better feng shui or something :?

^
Aiyo.....why the picture tum balek?? Never rotate??

Still tumbelek leh...


Actually I find it cute how you guys pronounce and write 'terbalik' :D Seriously......it sounded very cute and nice! - seriously ........you know.....with "tum" in front which somehow reminded me of overturning more than the original Malay word ;)

Here's my Merlion contribution:

http://pwp.maxis.net.my/szehoong/pix/spore/merlion_pano/merlionpano2mod.jpg

nice effect..it looks glowingly white there :okay:

when did you take it? I dont recall you going there on your recent trip.

nice effect..it looks glowingly white there :okay:

when did you take it? I dont recall you going there on your recent trip.


Hahaha......You should scroll to the right of the pano and there's a clue there of when I took that :lol:

Your copyright states "2003" on the bottom left, isn't it? This picture was taken in 2003, I supposed?

Your copyright states "2003" on the bottom left, isn't it? This picture was taken in 2003, I supposed?


Yea....he missed that too :D

15 Apr 2005

http://img40.echo.cx/img40/5493/dsc16784xd.jpg

"merlion - in myth and in pictures" makes for interesting statement because merlion's myth is classic state mis-manipulation of heritage. People grow up believing that merlion's myth is actually descended from folk lore. Doesn't help that Merlion Museum has videos illustrating the way Merlion rose from the depths of the sea and terrorised local orang laut/asli in days long gone.

i love merlion. but its presence in marina bay unsettles me. the way it pours its "mythic" qualities into an artificial city. Latest on Rem Koolhas' criticism of Singapore: the ultimate shopping centre.

nicholasliha>"artificial city" ?

nicholasliha>"artificial city" ?

actually you can credit the quote to Rem Koolhas, whose urban theories influence many. From his book "Mutations: Harvard Project on the City":

"Cities like Singapore represent the truly generic condition of the contemporary city: history has been almost completely blotted out, the entire territory has become completely artificial, the urban tissue does not endure in any kind of stability beyond a relatively short period of existence. As a city, it represents nothing more or less than the coexistence of a number of apparently unconnected buildings which, by the simple fact of sharing a certain proximity, form an urban condition - and which is inhabited without apparent anxiety. We find this king of habitat a bit sinister, rather strange..."

but what i did find interesting about this particular section was its reference to the Pearl River Delta later on:

"Each city in the Pearl River Delta defines itself not as a counterpart but through a kind of brutal opposition, each with the same desire to oppose all the others. So the west side tends to reject the ruined, overdeveloped east side, which is vilified as the Wild East, and overdose of speculation: the west side, it was said, would take matters more slowly and carefully. The avowed goal was to create idyllic conditions: the model was Singapore. So we could speculate that the east side will become America and the west side will become Singapore, creating an interesting opposition in Asian terms."

The cities to the east of the Pearl River include: Shen Zhen, Dongguan and of course, HK. To the west: Macau and Zhuhai. The cities of the former bloc (that is east) enjoy rabid growth, while the cities of the west have to contend with banal reputations and poor accessibility. Zhuhai's remedy for its sprawling emptiness was of course turning its underdeveloped zones into gardens: 30% of Zhuhai was planned for parks. The slogan: to become Singapore. So what semiotic registers are going through our minds now? The association of Singapore with West PRD, of poor connectivity, a reputation for banality and gardens as quick fix for urban embarrassment? Of course this is not my allegation, it is just rhetoric association. (but maybe Huaiwei will only see it as my singapore bashing).

And as a nice conclusion:

"What does it mean to become Singapore? Here, above all, it has meant clearing unbelivable sections of ground in an orgy of tabula rasa where it seems as if the act of clearing becomes an act of faith. There is an apparently sacred pleasure in creating void spaces where tabula rasa is no longer an anticipation, but almost an autonomous condition... What was the justification for these titanic efforts to eradicate the landscape and create a garden city?"

But we're definitely NOT ready to confront the fact that our "garden" is contrived, so i shall desist from exploring the idea on this forum. We're still hung up over my observations that Singaporeans are puppets and that we are living in social fabric that is completely imagined. We're not ready to confront all perspectives of our urban condition yet if we declare the "Writ of Defamation" on all our critics! :)

A city is only as artificial as people could make it to be. If we consider human beings as natural, and we consider our creations as works of nature too, then there is nothing artificial in the world we live in today. ;)

15 Apr 2005

http://img40.echo.cx/img40/5493/dsc16784xd.jpg

this is an awesome pic hya! :happy:

Somehow your pic reminds me of those souvenior chocolate boxes sold at the airport :D

http://www1.visitsingapore.com/articles/images/finalists/me_woo_fook.jpg

http://www1.visitsingapore.com/articles/images/finalists/me_cheong.jpg

http://www1.visitsingapore.com/articles/images/finalists/me_tan_wee.jpg


nice pics!!

http://tinypic.com/6z4qab.jpg

hmmm... partial reflection of the Merlion tail... :)

arrrggghhhhh.... should have taken one when the chinooks flew past!

Night version
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e126/ylstan02/B%20Sides/DSC_0097.jpg