RE-ENCHANTING THE SINGAPORE STORY: AN EXAMINATION OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM'S REPRESENTATIONAL STRATEGIES

Abstract

National' museums offer intriguing interpretative spaces carefully "choreographed" by countries to relate its cherished values, stories, and ultimately, an identity that distinguishes its people from others. In this regard, the NMS is no different in its manipulation of history and heritage to construct a coherent narrative linking the nation's past, present and vision for the future. Its selective employment of mythology, personal stories, artifacts and new media convey two major storylines. Firstly, targeted at the individual level is the NMS's extolling of the virtues of hard work and perseverance, coupled with an emphasis on philanthropy by successful members within the community. Secondly, as a 'collective', Singaporeans are reminded of the diverse and therefore dynamic nature of its culturally-heterogeneous roots, an oblique attempt at convincing visitors of the enduring 'global' nature of the port city. Together, these twin notions form the foundation of the 'official' interpretation of the nation's past. 'The Singapore Story', in this configuration, is an ongoing dialogue informed by history, but put to profitable use for envisioning its future. A significant departure from earlier 'museum studies' theses, however, is sensitising readers to the ambivalence that characterises such a retelling. Informed by contemporary global museology that increasingly emphasises the need to include diverse, even divergent, voices within its hallowed grounds, the corollary thesis I make is highlighting curatorial attempts at questioning the efficacy of the embedded narratives they seek to articulate. While these efforts remain fairly circumscribed, it would not be fair to simply ignore the implications of such innovations. For museums, these novel exhibitionary practices call upon contemplation by the reflexive visitor: (s)he determines how the nation's autobiography will be written within, but also beyond, its walls.