CONSUMING BOAT QUAY : AN EXPERIENCE OF POSTMODERNITY

Abstract

Instead of beginning with the assumption of continuity in the treatment of history and traditions as such, I shall start with the discontinuities of development in the creation of the urban landscape such as the Boat Quay spectacle. Boat Quay as understood in the early years of nation-building and Boat Quay as a spectacle today illustrates a radical break in the transformation of the landscape under the historical conditions of modern capitalism. For the moment, it may suffice to say that Boat Quay is an instance of the generalized process of the creation of landscape spectacles which commodifies history for profits. As such, in the analysis of time and space, an examination of the role of the heritage industry and the depthless culture under postmodernity; as well as the paradox of "heritage" and "authenticity" is highly relevant so as to provide an interpretation for the contemporary Boat Quay as a spectacle, "a dreamscape of visual consumption". Lastly, besides being a landscape of consumption and entertainment, Boat Quay is also a place to be seen. Therefore, the conjuction of consumption, lifestyle and the urban flaneur will also be discussed.