Nature, incorporated.

• Main Author: Muhammad Fareez Bin Ahmad.
• Other Authors: Oh Soon-Hwa
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2012
• Subjects: DRNTU::Visual arts and music::Photography
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/48784
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

I am interested in exploring the notion of artificial natural phenomena, or what I refer to as ‘hypernatural’ elements, in Singapore’s urban landscape. The idea derives from the observation that man, in his persistent efforts to continue asserting himself as master of nature, manipulates the existing natural landscape to suit his ends and purposes, not only by establishing permanent utilitarian structures but also by changing the appearance of the already built environment through various forms of additions, modifications and embellishments, as and when he chooses. These elements commonly appear either as permanent public sculptures or installations and temporal ‘street decorations’, such as those put up during festive seasons such as Christmas or the Lunar New Year. I believe this aspect of the urban landscape is worth investigating because they reveal several conditions of human behaviour and activity related to trade and commerce in the contemporary urban environment. These conditions will be elaborated and further explored in the proceeding sections of this paper. Ultimately, this project seeks to broaden our understanding and definition of nature as well as to examine its place and purpose in Singapore’s urban landscape.