SWF Book Launch: Discussion on Big Mole and Spider Boys
Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2015
Time: 7pm to 8pm
Venue: The Arts House
After making waves in the global literary scene for introducing Singaporean literature to an international audience, the highly anticipated sequel to Ming Cher’s Spider Boys, Big Mole, has finally hit the bookshelves. Initially published in 1995 by Penguin New Zealand, Spider Boys was lauded for its use of vernacular language – and once again, this effective use of local colloquialisms has continued with Big Mole.
From Singlish to local slang words, we speak a language that is unmistakably and uniquely Singaporean. And if this everyday language is what sets the tone and scene for a homegrown story, how does it then affect our understanding of a Singaporean novel?
In this discussion, literary critic and writer Gwee Li Sui, NIE Assistant Professor Angus Whitehead and SOTA’s Subject Head of English Literature Laremy Lee will be sharing their opinions on Ming Cher’s use of language in his work, and in particular, how this feeds into his contribution to local literature.
Food and lodging will be provided by the OCC, which will have a National Arts Council-appointed manager/administrator to handle finance matters, maintenance arrangements, residency rosters, events such as poetry readings, etc; a part-time chef to provide lunches and dinners for the artists; and other support staff, where required.
Rationale:
“When I’m dead, demolish it,” said the man, in reference to his home.
But what would happen after is a foregone conclusion: A multi-storey condominium called 38 Oxley in its place – not exactly the most fitting tribute to one of the founding fathers of Singapore.
If we preserve it as it is, it’d be an insult to Lee, who specifically asked for it to be demolished.
His rationale for demolishing it was, ostensibly, to prevent an Ozymandian ending to a place where he must’ve had many happy memories.
“I’ve seen other houses,” he said. “Nehru’s, Shakespeare’s – they become a shambles after a while.”
This is the same man who once said that “poetry is a luxury we cannot afford”.
Well, we can afford it now, after all that he and the old guard have done to build the nation – many thanks to them for that.
In the case of the latter two, they don’t exactly provide spaces in which artists can reside for an extended period of time to work.
Extended interactions are important; artists work in solitude for much of the time – sometimes, not by choice, because the profession is as such.
More opportunities for working closely with other artists – at residencies and festivals for example, where artists work and live together – will help broaden perspectives and deepen understanding about crafts that take years to hone.
To pay tribute to the man in a respectful manner, we keep the house as it is, so there is room for memory and nostalgia, but we put it to another, better use – putting soul into Singapore through the arts and literature.
After all, Lee was always one for pragmatism. Putting 38 Oxley to practical purpose – as the OCC, in higher service of the nation – would’ve been what he’d’ve wanted.
