The work takes the form of ‘debate’ as central to the discussions around Halimah’s relevance in a national institution currently engaged in postcolonial reframing of modernism. The work is sited in a former colonial law court, in a country where open debate and freedom of speech is highly monitored. The video brings together the displaced deconstructed loom, a performer of ‘Malay’ dance, and a group of young Chinese female debaters who deliberate on the legacy of the Empire Exhibition, the position of craft, the validity of archival returns and the notion of representation.
Apa Jika, The Mis-Placed Comma is commissioned by The National Gallery Singapore.
Directed, produced, written and edited by Erika Tan
Cast:
Dancer: Som Said
Debaters: Meiyi Chan, Geetha Creffield, Loh An Lin, Sara Ng, Annabel Tan, Abigail Wong
Loom Handlers: Noor Azlan Bin Misnan, Hossain Shuggal, Alam Gir
Loom: Orphaned Cham Loom
Extras: Various installation and curatorial staff, National Gallery Singapore & PICO.
Sound:
Female voice: Som Said
Traditional rhythmic drums: Aryanto Ahmad, Sri Warisan
Music: ‘Asak-Ansua’, composed by Syahrial Tando
Production:
Assistant Producer: Lor Huiyun
Director of Photography: Jolinna Ang
Camera Operators: Jolinna Ang, Lor Huiyun, Gui Shan Shan, Faith Lim Hwee Yee
Dolly Grip: Gui Shan Shan
Grip: Faith Lim Hwee Yee
Make-up: Chang Ching Yee
Costume production: Michelline Tham
3D Modeling Team: WY-TO
3D Model Animator: Erika Tan
Post Production Assistant: Chiara Bagtas
With thanks to Charmaine Toh, Shabbir Hussain Mustafa, Low Sze Wee, Eugene Tan and their colleagues from National Gallery Singapore, PICO and their technical installation staff, Yann Follain and Vedika Saxena from WY-TO for their help and support on the 3D modeling, Som Said and Sri Warisan for the introduction to Malay Dance history, David Henkel at Asian Civilizations Museum, Ute Meta Bauer, Vera May and Shona Findlay and the staff at NTU CCA who facilitated earlier renditions of this research, and Annie Kwan who supported the first trial debate in London. Also to Heidi Tan and Anthony Lam for their continued support.
