If the memory can serve Singaporeans well, Singapore was the host of the inaugural 2010 Summer Youth Olympics Games (“YOG”). It participated in all the 26 sports, with a total of 129 athletes representing the nation. Art is one way to bridge the community. Back in 2009, students from Damai Secondary School spent part of their holidays to transform some empty walls of housing flats at Bedok Reservoir Road into larger-than-life canvasses. The theme of the murals was “Sports” and there were 15 murals in total, created with brilliant colours, depicting various sports such as swimming, table tennis and basketball. There was a special link between the YOG and Damai Secondary School, even before these murals because in 2008, the students painted two Olympic-themed murals to support Singapore's bid to host the YOG as well as the nation's athletes in their quest for glory at the Beijing Olympic Games. This mural project was also a double celebration as it marked the 15th anniversary of the school. Unfortunately, the "Tennis" mural has suffered wear and tear and needs repainting. Art in the street makes people happy and can cheer them up. Street art makes their day and their commute more interesting and adds character to what would otherwise just be grey and boring. Art reminds people to feel alive. It is there to beautify a space. It wakes people up, inspires and motivates them. And sometimes it can make people think.
These murals help encourage the residents in Bedok Reservoir Road or any passerby to adopt a healthy lifestyle, and create a greater awareness and interest among members of the community for the YOG. The games are held every four years in staggered summer and winter events consistent with the current Olympic Games format, though in reverse order with Winter Games held in leap years instead of Summer Games. The next YOG is scheduled from mid January 2024 to early February 2024. If you are interested to know more about street art, you may click here to browse all my street art blog posts to-date.
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