"Void Deck" is a uniquely Singapore term which refers to the ground floor of public housing HDB (Housing Development Board) flats.
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| Sample of an HDB flat |
While this means the loss of one floor of living spaces, the resultant benefits are exceedingly more.
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| Sample of a Void Deck |
This extra space serves as a very useful shelter from the sun and rain for all and sundry to traverse. It also has built-in tables, chairs and sitting benches near the lift areas for residents to rest and interact.
Aside from everyday use, the void deck is commonly used (with a permit) for special events such as weddings and funerals.
Click here for Void Decks - Singapore by National Heritage Board.
Featured at the end of this article are two art galleries by Social Creatives at void decks.
As gleaned from Social Creatives' website, its objective is as follows:-
"We, Social Creatives Ltd, do Art for social change; Art to enhance the public perception towards each other, societies and the eARTh.
Mural Art is actually the first way of communication originating from cave-drawing and served as the first avenue for us to connect to each other, our surroundings societies and even eARTh. As society progresses, de-marginalised groups are left behind causing other challenges which arise from time to time and concepts of even middle child syndrome in middle income based societies.
The hole in our physical environment has resulted in global warming, which is especially apparent in equatorial Singapore. On a light note, we are lucky to have Uniqlo's 'Airism' T-shirts to keep us cool! However, in our human environment, there are many holes too and these are represented by the many emotional and physical walls that separate us from being who we are and being our best. Some walls are necessary. It is impossible to breakthrough these or all walls but through different feathers of communities coming together to form a paintbrush, we hope to create art to spark social change. They say the grass is always greener the on other side. However colours are needed everywhere.
As such, we believe in inclusion of communities, art for social change and art elevating individuals from emotional poverty."
Click here for VOID DECK ART GALLERY: POST IMPRESSIONISM VAN GOGH AT MACPHERSON
Click here for VOID DECK ART GALLERY: POP ART @ 8 HOLLAND AVENUE
Thank you for reading Daily Refreshing.
