The Meaning of the Merlion Hotel

Read this: A first look inside the Merlion Hotel

Isn't the Merlion a piece of public property?

Then why should it be boarded up for the exclusive use and view of the rich and powerful only? Even if it's for a few weeks?

In this so-called artistic attempt, only a very limited circle of people get to enjoy this Merlion hotel installation, such as:

• Those who are considered creative and 'cool' enough to execute this bizarre idea of boarding up the Merlion as a hotel. E.g A foreign artist.
• Those who can afford to stay at this Merlion hotel at a few hundred bucks per night. E.g. Rich expats.
• Those who are powerful and important enough to get to visit this hotel. E.g. the Prime Minister of Singapore
• Those who are in positions to benefit from the extraordinary conversion of Merlion to a temp hotel. E.g. CEO of NHB gets one more sexy feather in his cap.

Indeed, this entire act IS the artistic piece which demonstrates in a lively manner, the power asymmetry in Singapore that is clearly skewed towards the rich + powerful locals and more 'attractive + eligible' foreigners to share the SG platform together, while diminishing the ordinary Singaporeans' access to public goods, amenities, and opportunities.