A warm thank you to Lukas, Tia,
Ling Ling, Nicole Emma Low, Hong,
and many others who choose to
remain anonymous who contributed
audio recordings to make this
work possible.

A figure watches me
from the corner of my eye.
I beckon it to sit before me,
– tell me your woes.

Faced with a reflection of myself,
I realise we are no different.

Within the Shadows is an interaction installation that explores of the afterlife and challenges traditional perceptions of ghosts as mere supernatural entities. By delving into symbolism of shadows, the artwork invites participants to reconsider these enigmatic figures as individuals with unique stories and experiences.

The interactive elements, including projection and audio, encourage active listening and reflection, allowing audiences to connect with deeper themes on the nature of existence and the strength of relational bonds formed with one another. Through this exploration, Within the Shadows aims to evoke empathy, introspection, and a newfound appreciation for the complexities of the human experience, both in life and beyond.

Kampung Halloween is a 8-day programme (25 Oct - 3rd Nov 2024) commissioned by the National Arts Council, organised by PlayPan and directed by Dr. Woo Yen Yen for the Arts Resource Hub.

Audio Submission Collection

An open call was  posted online prior to the exhibition, prompting participants to respond to one of the prompts below through an anonymous audio submission.

• If you could communicate with a loved one who has passed away, what would you say?
• Share a message or wish for those who come after you.
• What is the one thing that would keep you tethered to Earth, preventing you from moving on to the afterlife?

The audio will be collected and to be used as raw material for the interactive installation. The audio files will then be filtered, distorted and compiled to be used in various portions of the work.

The Experience

1. Upon encountering the installation from afar, the participant will hear distorted sounds, as if someone attempting to communicate to them.
2. As the participant draws closer to the table set-up, they are invited to sit down to listen to the shadow that sits across them.
3. As they sit down, a speaker nearby plays the true audio files that have been submitted through the open call.
4. The participant then listens through the clear audio submissions and messages conveyed.

In quiet corners,
memories reside.
A world within a room,
each object speaks as a silent guide.

In a small, intimate space, the intricacies of the community of Redhill’s rental flats unfolds. A curated collection of objects, each a silent storyteller, invites visitors to touch and listen. As fingers brush against an object, a voice emerges, weaving a tapestry of Redhill's tales. The stories represent the heartbeat of a community – stories of care, routine and cherished memories. The installation, a culmination of interviews, sounds and sights, seeks to uncover the hidden narratives that lie beneath the surface of everyday objects.

Through this immersive experience, visitors are invited to reflect on their own journeys in Redhill. The installation becomes a catalyst for personal exploration and shared experiences. As visitors listen to the stories of others, they may find echoes of their own lives, connecting them to the broader community in a more profound way. The installation is not merely a showcase but a living, breathing entity, evolving with each resident’s contribution – a testament to the power of storytelling and the uniquely tight knit spirit of Redhill.

This experiential installation was made possible with the collaboration of Lutheran Community Care Services (LCCS) and the residents of rental flats in Redhill who have shared their stories, time and memories with us.

A familiar tune plays in the distance,
unable to identify its source – you lean in.
A wave of nostalgia pulls you closer.
You find yourself transported to a past life.

Set in a living room from the past, a Rediffusion set broadcasts familiar programmes throughout the day, reliving its role as a companion to the worker and the homemaker, the young and the old. It alludes to a time when the arts was woven into the fabric of our daily lives and served as a locus around which communities would gather.

When passers-by listen to the Rediffusion broadcasts, they are transported to a different time and space. For the curious guest, entering the living room takes them into the life of an imagined household where they would engage in intimate encounters. As they discover traces left behind by the family members, they will be invited to reflect upon and share about their own fond memories of everyday pastimes.

This experiential installation is an extension of the first episode of The Everyday Museum's self-guided audio trail series, Speaking of which – An Organic Terminus. Commissioned by The Everyday Museum in partnership with National Archives Singapore and support from Rediffusion. Public interactions by Clarice Ng, set design and art direction by Junior Foong.

Find out more about the programme here.