Looking back at The Substation
pasted from AI overview 2019
Artist Alan Oei faced significant backlash in 2016 for his proposed changes to Singapore’s independent arts center, The Substation, where he was artistic director. The controversy erupted over his plan to shift the center’s mission and eliminate its role as an affordable rental venue, leading to accusations of neglecting the arts community.
Proposed changes
In December 2015, just two months after his appointment, Oei announced his vision to overhaul The Substation, which included:
Shifting focus: He planned to transition The Substation from a venue-for-hire into a “research and developmental space,” organizing year-long programs around a single theme, such as “Nostalgia”.
Ending cheap rentals: He intended to phase out the center’s use as an affordable rehearsal and performance space for artists, arguing this was not the center’s core purpose.
Financial justification: Oei cited the center’s long-standing financial struggles as a key reason for the revamp, which also included staff restructuring.
Backlash from the arts community
Oei’s plans ignited a firestorm of criticism for both the proposed changes and the way they were introduced.
Lack of consultation: Artists, particularly those in the punk and alternative music scenes, were furious that Oei had not engaged with the community before announcing his radical overhaul. Many felt that their needs and the space’s counter-cultural history were being disregarded.
Fear of gentrification: The punk community, which had long associated The Substation with staging independent events, feared the loss of a safe and affordable space.
Undermining the legacy: Critics accused Oei of attempting a “violent” reinterpretation of The Substation, a space founded by Kuo Pao Kun to be a “home for the arts.” Many felt he was sidestepping the desires of its long-time users.
Aftermath and resolution
Following the intense criticism, Oei held a series of town hall sessions with the arts community and reversed some of his initial plans.
Reversal and apology: In April 2016, Oei publicly apologized for his failure to engage with the community beforehand. He backtracked on the decision to end venue rentals, promising to keep them available for eight months of the year.
Adjusted vision: While still pursuing thematic programming, he chose to focus on the future possibilities of The Substation itself, rather than the original theme of “Nostalgia”.
Departure: Oei resigned from his position at The Substation in late 2019.
Eventual closure: In 2021, The Substation announced its permanent closure after its board stated that a return to its original building under the government’s multi-tenant plan would cause it to lose its autonomy and identity.