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Continued from
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ANNEX
Hua Song Museum Exhibition Halls
1.
The Long Road
(遥遥长路)
From
the main hall, visitors will be greeted by a map of China (6 metres
by 2.5 metres) with markers representing the ports from where people
left China. Like every migrant story which begins with the “The Long
Road” from village to dock, this exhibit welcomes visitors with a
brief history of the origins of Chinese migrants. The journey begins
with The Long Road, a philosophical display representing the
uncertainties felt by migrants who left their home villages for new
opportunities overseas.
2.
Archives of the World (老照片)
This
area exhibits various old pictures of the early migrants including
the coolies’ days of struggle, their habits and customs, and how
they adapted to their new found home. With the model of a Chinese
junk bordering the area, the archival area is reminiscent of a
traditional and nostalgic gallery. Pictures are placed behind a
0.5-metre-deep panel. To look at the pictures, visitors need to peep
through holes framed with Chinese timber carving, set at different
heights. There are also two display areas of artifacts placed at
extreme corners of the exhibit area.
3.
Chinatown (唐人街)
The
Chinatown section tells the stories of how migrants and their
descendants assimilated into their new adopted lands. This section
features pictures of the early generation of migrants. It also tells
how these migrants attempted to preserve their identity and nurture
a relationship with the locals, the pastimes they engaged in, the
bonds they formed, etc.
4.
Trailblazers (先驱者)
The
“Trailblazers” area is the designated children’s education arm of
the museum with a programme developed for children between the ages
of six to 12 years old. This room allows for audiovisual screenings
as well as the playing of music. The ambience of the “Trailblazer”
area replicates the autumn season, with walls dominated by an
orange-yellow hue and maple leaves strewn on the floor.
5.
Survival (Women) （生存 – 她们的故事）
While
the stories in the archival area are mostly about men, this section
of the museum pays tribute to the women who migrated overseas and
played a pivotal role in the development of overseas Chinese
communities. The women’s stories are told through an engaging
display of mannequins comprising a little girl, possibly sold to be
a slave at an auction, Samsui woman, Ma Jie etc. Each of the
mannequins will be rendered contextually to tell their unique
stories.
6.
En En’s Kitchen (恩恩厨房)
This is
a replica of a typical traditional Chinese kitchen allowing visitors
to interact with the various cooking implements. Visitors will also
be able to learn about the common spices used in cooking Chinese
cuisine and touch as well as smell the ingredients.
7.
The Food Hall（长桌宴）
The
Chinese are well known for their passion for food and for the early
Chinese immigrants, food was one of the most important links they
had with China. Within this exhibit area (6.5 metres by 14 metres),
interesting stories and facts about Chinese food are presented.
Various types of Chinese food are displayed on the two shelves
against the walls. Suspended from the ceiling are also thirteen
pieces of calligraphic scrolls (5 metres by 1 metre), each telling
stories of Chinese food and idioms.
8.
Clans and Associations （宗乡会馆）
The
stories of clans and associations form the closing chapter of the
Chinese immigrants’ journey. This “Clans and Associations” hall
features articles and objects that belonged to various overseas and
local clans and associations. Fronting the main entrance will be a
giant screen with a dimension of 7.2 metres by 3 metres. This zone
doubles as a theatre that will play about four movies based on the
four themes of leaving home, making good, family and habitat, and
crossing boundaries.
Source:
www.stb.gov.sg Press Release 21
Dec 2005
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Hua Song Museum opens at Paw Har Villa
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