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Decommissioned power station turns into art market for a day

​SINGAPORE –— An abandoned red-brick building in Pasir Panjang turned into an art market over the Hari Raya Haji public holiday on Wednesday (Aug 22), hosting artists, musicians as well as former Sungei Road flea market hawkers.

Members of the public at an art market at Pasir Panjang. An abandoned red-brick building in Pasir Panjang was transformed into an art market on Wednesday (Aug 22), with stalls set up by some of the former Sungei Road flea market hawkers.

Members of the public at an art market at Pasir Panjang. An abandoned red-brick building in Pasir Panjang was transformed into an art market on Wednesday (Aug 22), with stalls set up by some of the former Sungei Road flea market hawkers.

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SINGAPORE –— An abandoned red-brick building in Pasir Panjang turned into an art market over the Hari Raya Haji public holiday on Wednesday (Aug 22), hosting artists, musicians as well as former Sungei Road flea market hawkers.

Jointly organised by the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) and market organiser The Local People, the event marked the first time the Pasir Panjang Power Station held its first public holiday open house.

Photo: Najeer Yusof/TODAY

Known to some Singaporeans as power station "A", the building was decommissioned in the early 1980s and returned to the government last year.

On Wednesday, 35 stalls were set up in the wide industrial space and featured mostly vendors selling handcrafted items, illustration, baked goods, clothes and second-hand items.

Photo: Najeer Yusof/TODAY
Photo: Najeer Yusof/TODAY

There were also exhibitions put up by inter-media and comic-strip artists, as well as performances by rock band Shirlyn + The UnXpected (Rock) and acapella group The Apex Project.

Ms Pin Goh, 34, founder and creative director of The Local People, said her team was inspired by how the place was previously used as a power station.

Referring to a power circuit's alternating current and direct current, her team decided to bring in a mix of alternative and mainstream artists and musicians for the art market.

Photo: Najeer Yusof/TODAY
Photo: Najeer Yusof/TODAY

An SLA spokesperson said some 5,000 people were expected to turn up for the event.

Apart from trying to "optimise land use in creative ways to meet social and economic needs" of the community, the spokesperson said the power station was also chosen for its heritage.

The Pasir Panjang power station was Singapore's second power station, built between 1952 and 1953. It is located near Labrador Park and is about a 10-minute walk from the Labrador Park MRT Station.

This is not the first time SLA has collaborated with The Local People. They jointly organised previous art markets at the historic Tanjong Pagar Railway Station and the West Coast Viaduct.

The SLA spokesperson said it will continue to look into innovative uses of state properties and land but would not comment if the Pasir Panjang Power Station would host similar events in the future.

One of those who showcased her work at the power station on Wednesday was inter-media artist Clare Lee, 34.

"I like art in unexpected places… For me to come into a place that has so much history, that has been empty and hollow for so long time and to fill it with life is a wonderful opportunity," she added.

There were also a handful of former Sungei Road flea market hawkers.

Photo: Najeer Yusof/TODAY
Photo: Najeer Yusof/TODAY

One of them, who only wanted to be known as Mr Sein, 56, said he decided to give it a shot after a member of community Facebook group Save Sungei Road Market told him about it. He sold a range of second-hand items, from clocks to metal coin banks.

Echoing what some vendors and visitors said about the remote location, Mr Sein felt that only the younger generation who are Internet-savy will be able to find their way to the market.

"But it is still a good opportunity to let the young people to see antique pieces that they have never come across in their time," he added.

Photo: Najeer Yusof/TODAY
Photo: Najeer Yusof/TODAY

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