Natasha
12 Apr 2023
It is only natural to be intrigued by Natasha, the seventh edition of the Singapore Biennale (SB2022), purely by its given name. An exhibition made sentient through the act of naming, curators June Yap, Ala Younis, Nida Ghouse, and Binna Choi aimed for the general public to respond to the Biennale in a more intimate and personal way. Intimacy, however, comes into question in its opposing vastness of space.
From 16 October 2022 to 19 March 2023, Natasha featured over 50 artists and collaborators in the Singapore Art Museum (SAM) at Tanjong Pagar and in a range of venues across Singapore. With more than 100 artworks spread across the three floors of the exhibition, it was an exciting yet almost overwhelming exploration. I visited the exhibit thrice, with each visit covering more space. Upon entering the first floor, I was greeted by dim lights and soft sounds from the TV installations; it was a calming experience. The layout of the different sections and the spacing of the works gave enough time for reflection on each work but also created a space that lacked the privacy to do so.
Installation view of Kantha Tith’s Hut Tep Soda Chan (Hut of an Angel) at the Singapore Biennale.
One of the main features is Kantha Tith’s interactive installation, Hut Tep Soda Chan (translated as "Hut of an Angel") (2011, 2017). It acts as a makeshift dwelling of a poor community, showcasing a collection of images and objects on the walls and floors, and a TV set playing an old Cambodian movie about an angel who relinquishes her riches to be with a mortal man. Similar to the film, Tith’s work illustrates how the poor are rich in happiness in love. Interacting with others in this private space (presented in a public setting) let us experience – in a new setting – the economic and social change happening in those in poverty.
Overall, the exhibition achieves the transformative potential within life and its relations through its multitude of artists. The audience, however, may struggle to relate in a more personal way unless more time was spent comprehending the works. It is an expansive and quiet space for reflection, worth experiencing the multitude of artists and artworks presented.
