Wes Anderson, an American film director, is known for his distinct visual style involving a combination of symmetry, pastel colours and quirky architecture that make people feel like the world has stopped. It is exemplified in his movies such as The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014), a visual feast set in 20th-century Europe.
The aesthetic is so well-loved by so many, that an Instagram account, @accidentallywesanderson, showcases pictures submitted by users of “the most interesting and idiosyncratic places on Earth,” has amassed 1.5 million followers to date. It was started by Anderson fan Wally Koval in 2017 – he and his wife had shared a picture of the abandoned Belvedere Hotel in Switzerland’s Furka Pass. Today, Mr Koval, who is based in Brooklyn, New York City, says he gets about 2,500 submissions a month and narrows them down to roughly 30 – the account posts just one photo a day.
For Singapore-based fans of the Wes Anderson aesthetic, you’ll be pleased to know many locations offer the same look and feel. The Straits Times executive photojournalist Jason Quah presents these places here, so you know where to go next time you’re looking for a little escapism.
