Ang Song Nian (Singapore)
Hanging Heavy on My Eyes
Gallery 1

In response to the title theme for of the Singapore Biennale 2016, An Atlas of Mirrors, Hanging Heavy on My Eyes looks at the recurring and prolonged haze experienced in Singapore and surrounding regions, due to severe air pollution caused by the increased frequency of forest fires in Indonesia. Based on the Ang’s collection of average recordings of particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) data, the exhibition revisits the artist’s experience with the discomfort and unease of reduced visibility – a result of conditions that have been created by human beings’ continuous attempts to control, intervene in and manipulate landscapes and the environment according to our narrow-minded agenda.

Robert Zhao Renhui (Singapore)
The Natural History of an Island
Gallery 2

The artist looks at the natural history of Singapore in a 100-year frame, based on his collection of images of Singapore’s natural landscape from the 1900s. Using a self-made mobile expedition vehicle, Zhao explores and maps out ‘natural’ spaces under stress in Singapore, uncovering historical narratives along the way. The project provides an overarching view of Singapore’s relationship with its natural landscape from archival materials to images from the present day, and observes the various ways that we have altered the landscape based on our needs and what we desire of nature.

An Affiliate Project of Singapore Biennale 2016