Yesteryears

by Sean Cham

Yesteryears (2014-2015) showcases 50 places in Singapore that were culturally and historically significant. The series was taken when Singapore celebrated 50 years of independence, and there was an increasing wave of nostalgia across the nation. However, many buildings and places were left abandoned and forgotten amidst the country’s race for progress. Places are vessels of memories for the people; places are where relationships are forged, stories are created, history is made. From hidden palaces to crumbling neighbourhoods, these places are long past its halcyon days as they descend into mere brick and mortar.

Reviews

[J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Singapore, to me, is a country of constant and rapid change, where so many things (from material objects and places to the non-material, like memories, events and stories) feel like they come into existence and cease to exist or become forgotten just as quickly. I greatly appreciate the efforts behind books like this which serve as records, especially one brimming with creativity and such a personal touch in its curation and design like Yesteryears, from the decision to make its front and back cover resemble the nostalgic and instantly recognisable exercise books of our schooling years, to the seemingly handwritten postcards and letters within and even an etching of a 10-cent coin. It was an enjoyable read during which I had fun identifying the places that I recognised and read about in other texts, looked out for little familiar markings and items like the aforementioned 10-cent coin or a consent form for a school trip (with a funny twist), and learnt more about the places, or other names of known places, that I previously did not know about.