Objective

The idea is to show how people are connected through a single theme. In this installation, we use the theme of ‘accompany’, showing how everyone experiences ‘accompany’ in their own different ways, yet this experience can be shared universally through literature.

 

Relationship between content and form

The theme ‘accompany’ is the most basic need for human beings. It represents interconnection and belonging. ‘Accompany’ does not have to be limited to social context, but can include objects, places, surroundings.

 

Installation

 

We are using 3 individual laptops each facing different directions, along with the larger projector screen. These 4 screens will be spread out across the room.

 

The 3 screens will show interviews with each of our group members on the theme ‘accompany’.  These interviews give a personal glimpse of our own experience regarding ’accompany’, allowing the audience to see and understand the theme in ordinary people’s lives.

The projector will show us narrating the literature piece out loud. We chose to film ourselves narrating because firstly reading out loud is a powerful experience. A person breathes life and feeling into the words, more so when it is done in a group. Rather than just presenting words and sentences, we want it to be an artistic expression of the emotion and meaning behind the narrative, based on our perspective.

We chose a literature piece because we believe within this story there is a universal resonance with people. There is depth of meaning that goes beyond just plot, and philosophical issues about humanity are addressed, in this case ‘accompany’.

When audience see ‘accompany’ in the individual experience and then in the broader sense, a literature piece, they get a deeper understanding of the theme and can relate it to themselves and their own lives.

 

Interview session

 

Vincent

‘Accompany’ can be represented by my relationship with my ex-girlfriend during the period I first arrived in Singapore. She provided me with a sense of security when I failed to fit into the new environment, and gave me support when I faced difficulties, especially when I felt alone without my family and friends

Nicholas

‘Accompany’ to me is about feeling at ease and comfortable in my surroundings. Usually what accompanies me is the presence of nature or animals. The experience of being around trees, the wide open sky, whether it be night or day, is always calming and lets me feel more like myself.

Kezia

‘Accompany’ is about being with close friends whom I can connect with. There was a time when I was lonely, back when I first arrived in Singapore. It was hard to make real friends at first, but thankfully I found two friends whose support and friendship pulled me through the rough 1stsemester in NTU.

 

Narrating session

From The Old man and the Sea

By Ernest Hemmingway

When the boy came back the old man was asleep in the chair and the sun was down. The boy took the old army blanket off the bed and spread it over the back of the chair and over the old man’s shoulders. They were strange shoulders, still powerful although very old, and the neck was still strong too and the creases did not show so much when the old man was asleep and his head fallen forward. His shirt had been patched so many times that it was like the sail and the patches were faded to many different shades by the sun. The [18] old man’s head was very old though and with his eyes closed there was no life in his face. The newspaper lay across his knees and the weight of his arm held it there in the evening breeze. He was barefooted.

The boy left him there and when he came back the old man was still asleep.
“Wake up old man,” the boy said and put his hand on one of the old man’s knees.
The old man opened his eyes and for a moment he was coming back from a long way away.

Then he smiled.
“What have you got?” he asked.
“Supper,” said the boy. “We’re going to have supper.”
“I’m not very hungry.”
“Come on and eat. You can’t fish and not eat.”
“I have,” the old man said getting up and taking the newspaper and folding it. Then he started to fold the blanket.
“Keep the blanket around you,” the boy said. “You’ll not fish without eating while I’m alive.”

 

Experimentation

This style of installation is inspired by a Chinese program ‘The Reader‘（朗读者）It is a television show whereby people are invited to narrate a piece of literature or short story, related to their life experiences. Whether they be famous, accomplished in science and technology, or just common people, these people have an inspirational quality that allows their narration to touch us emotionally, often producing strong reactions in the audiences.

 

Installation Concept