Singapore Chinatown New Year Decorations

traditional vs. gen-Y design philosophies

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The contemporary festive lighting design at the Chinatown of Singapore this year stirred up controversy between the older generation and the gen-Yers.

To the old folks, the boxy design of the decorative lanterns contradicts the traditional preference of round objects, which symbolizes fulfilment and reunion, over objects with sharp edges. Especially during the all-important Chinese New Year period, these red, boxy lanterns remind the older generation of Chinese of funereal objects—a big ominous no-no!

The designers, a group of students from the brand new Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) was, of course, not willing to submit to the criticisms. After all, they sacrificed two months of their own holidays to come up with this avant-garde snake-theme design, which was by itself a feast.

Tradition versus contemporary design philosophies. What’s your view (Zmx5aW5nQGZseWluZy13Lm5ldA==)?

牛车水今年的现代主义春节灯饰设计真可谓是一“蛇”激起千层浪——让老一辈的华人与年轻一代的才俊们掐上了。

老一辈的华人通常都比较喜欢圆形的物体（象征圆满、团圆），而避免方形、有锐利边角的物件。特别是在这一年最重要的节日中，箱形的灯笼设计不禁让人联想到了不祥的殡葬用品。这当然是很不吉利的！

而对于来自成立不久的新加坡科技设计大学（SUTD）的学生设计团队来说，这当然是不能闷吃哑巴亏的。他们毕竟是自愿抽出了两个月的假期，才做出了这整个以蛇为题的灯饰设计。况且，他们的这个设计本身也还是非常炫丽夺目的。

这可是传统与现代设计理念之争啊。您怎么看（Zmx5aW5nQGZseWluZy13Lm5ldA==）呢？

Festive mood starts right from the MRT platform—IKEA’s snaky “Happy Chinese New Year”
The Chinatown Wishing Tree at Chinatown Point
At the centre of the controversy—the red lantern snake sprawling between Eu Tong Sen Street (right) and New Bridge Road (left)
The giant red lantern snake was indeed a feast by itself
How do you feel about these boxy red lanterns decorated with golden Chinese zodiac illustrations?
How about these cute, boxy Chinese zodiac lanterns lining the curbside?

auto-stitched photo
Peach blossom, though unfortunately a fake tree, outside of the main branch of Bee Cheng Hiang at Chinatown
Festive decoration of the shophouses along Pagoda Street—red lanterns, Chinese knots, and pineapple decorations
The Samsui woman statue outside of the Chinatown Heritage Centre, backed by auspicious bamboos
Another focal point of the controversy—the cute yellow lantern snake sprawling South Bridge Road, where some considered the yellow urn-shape lanterns to resemble ash urns