pianomania: MODERN ART ONE CAN RELATE TO: ROTAN RATTAN: MEDITATIONS @ ESPLANADE TUNNEL

Here is some modern art one can relate to. The Esplanade Tunnel's latest exhibit titled Rotan Rattan: Meditations by Yanyun Chen and Dave Lim is about a reminiscence of past times - corporal punishment meted to errant children or otherwise. People of a certain age will remember strict parents who keep their children (ie. us) in check by wielding the cane.

The frayed end of a rattan,
which means it's been used more than once.

Spare the rod and spoil the child, they say. "This is for your own good." Taste the lash or you'll be on the road to perdition. "You'll thank me later on when you're older." We are not raising juvenile delinquents. "We love you, that is why you are getting this." Yet more cliches on child-rearing. "This is hurting me more than it hurts you."

What pain can be dispensed
with the use of a hand.

I cannot remember how many times I got caned. Has it made me a better person? The last one from parents came at ten, after scoring 85/100 in a science test. The last one from teachers came at eleven, after spelling the night in "Saturday night" with a capital. You tend never to forget these things. You learn to be more kaisu, and you learn to hate and resent. You become better at scoring marks, and more careful in spelling. Are these positive traits?

On the other hand, I had a teacher from a so-called elite school in despair from being verbally abused by students. No use to complain to the Head of Department, nor the Principal for nothing gets done, and the students get more insolent, disrespectful and rebellious by the day. Now here's an opportunity where corporal punishment may have a positive effect, but counselling is, of course, more effective, so they say. Who's right in the end? Is the best yet to be? Also cannot say.

Famous sayings appear in wicker frames made from rattan, that very material that canes are crafted from. They look very nice, even homespun, but within these carry a message that will last a lifetime. Scars will heal, but the memory of pain lingers on.