Ongoing series, 2016-
During the 7th lunar month the cityscape of Singapore is lit by the brilliant lights of the getai, and its ancestor the opera stage. Appearing for only a few nights before disappearing, in their short presence they become the centre of attraction, drawing fans and audiences from all over. Any space can be the location of a getai. The structures serve different uses, some are the traditional Chinese opera stages, worship altar tents, auction tents, dining tents and the true getai. Here I document some of them, and their peculiar settings.
During the 7th lunar month the cityscape of Singapore is lit by the brilliant lights of the getai, and its ancestor the opera stage. Appearing for only a few nights before disappearing, in their short presence they become the centre of attraction, drawing fans and audiences from all over. Any space can be the location of a getai. The structures serve different uses, some are the traditional Chinese opera stages, worship altar tents, auction tents, dining tents and the true getai. Here I document some of them, and their peculiar settings.