PROJECT BRIEF
Saṃsāra: Translations of Faith is a youth (aged between 18-25) arts-based project that culminates in an exhibition birthed out of a collaboration by Singapore-based artist and educator, Noor Iskandar and The Harmony Centre. Departing from the strands of image-making and encountering sacred sites in Singapore to express the lived experiences of the youth identity today, Saṃsāra essentially attempts to fill the lacuna between art and faith.
Saṃsāra , in its essence refers to the cyclic realms of wandering, drifting and migrations. Through this state, one ought to seek the intimations of existence. Honouring this concept, the project roots on the acts of experiencing spiritual spaces through this poetic pilgrimage between artists of diverse backgrounds. Afterwhich, the artists will manifest on the themes surrounding their encounters to create visual-based works housed within the Harmony Centre.
This is an inaugural attempt to weave diverse realms and voices together, planting whispers into future iterations of espousing the representation and expressions of faith and beliefs between different backgrounds and modes of languages through Art. This is a crossing when 7 artists respond to 7 sacred sites and translate their feelings into a necessary voice of harmony for the multireligious fabric of society.
COLLABORATOR: HARMONY CENTRE
The Harmony Centre (HA) was officially opened by the Prime Minister of Singapore Mr. Lee Hsien Loong in 7 October 2006. It curates curriculum on Islam and interfaith relations, learning journey and community engagement program for both local and regional audiences.
The Harmony Centre (HA) was officially opened by the Prime Minister of Singapore Mr. Lee Hsien Loong in 7 October 2006. It curates curriculum on Islam and interfaith relations, learning journey and community engagement program for both local and regional audiences.
THEMES:
identity, heritage and diversity
identity, heritage and diversity
FORMAT
CROSSING 1 (Noor Iskandar, solo, physical)
1. Noor Iskandars Pilgrim Poet phase
- autoethnographic embark into 7 sites.
- document in poetry and photos and videos. Audio.
Visual Diary output, interactive site for 7 artists to journey thru digitally. Thru eyes of noor on the inner dimensions, form inspiration on what parts to migrate with them in their samsara.
CHECKPOINT 1:
CROSSING 2 (7 artists, solo, physical, mark making)
- autoethnographic embark into 7 sites.
- document in poetry and photos and videos. Audio.
Visual Diary output, interactive site for 7 artists to journey thru digitally. Thru eyes of noor on the inner dimensions, form inspiration on what parts to migrate with them in their samsara.
CHECKPOINT 1:
CROSSING 2 (7 artists, solo, physical, mark making)
virtual crossing. Ceremonial walk based on the map and prompts provided..participants to conceptualise their route and document their samsara on a blogpost. To present on third crossings. This will be a largely exterior excavation focusing more on the route and ritual of journeying rather than specific sites. Otot in a week.
CHECKPOINT 1:
CHECKPOINT 1:
CROSSING 3 (Noor Iskandar, solo, poetry mapping)
Talking about experiences of solo Samsara. Commonalities. Soft choice of sacred site to work on.
Revelation of 7 text pieces by Noor.
Based on the prose poem randomly selected.. which text coincide w which site is unrevealed.
CHECKPOINT 1:
Revelation of 7 text pieces by Noor.
Based on the prose poem randomly selected.. which text coincide w which site is unrevealed.
CHECKPOINT 1:
CROSSING 4 (7 artists, solo, artwork production)
They will now do an artistic samsara translating the text into visual. Based on their own encounters thri both virtual andphysicsl meanderings a visual output is worked on.
All three themes , identity, heritage and diversity should be inculcated in work. The works will be exhibited onsite alongside the other crossings.
support:
1 workshop on context and concept (Online)
1 on 1 consultations w facilitator (Online or onsite)
1 final WIP group check-in (Online)
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TIMELINE (tbc)