On Forgetting: Inspirations from Architecture

This is a long overdue post.

I remember browsing a book on architecture at MPH in CityLink Mall sometime in the last two months (it's been that long), and it was a showcase of outstanding architectural designs in Asia. I can't even remember the title now. One of the designs featured conservation of certain architectural heritage of that city. It was mentioned that a style was preserved as it was forgotten by time and the people, in a forgotten corner of the city.

Suddenly that section struck a chord. History is about memory, remembrance of the past which in other ways could be easily forgotten and its existence denied. However, in this section it is shown that history and heritage is better preserved, it appears, if it is forgotten. What a contradiction!

Sometimes one has to forget in order to remember better.