Chong Lingying is a writer and book publisher. In an era where the label of the “bestseller” appears increasingly out of date and obsolete, Lingying seeks newer understandings of book publishing that remain suitable to this time, our time.

Winnie Li is an independent art curator and producer who founded Jalan Besar Salon (JBS) in 2017. JBS acts as a catalyst for creativity and progressive ideas in the fields of urban management, psychology, intimacy, and socio-environmental topics through the means of art, design, and philosophy.

Winnie and Lingying’s critical collaboration began when they curated an exhibition-sale of books at Basheer Graphic Books as part of the nascent Jalan Besar Salon. In 2020, they co-organised Mukbang Reading Camp, an experiment with various evolutions and adaptions of the traditional book club format on a virtual platform during the pandemic lockdown.

While in residence, Lingying and Winnie will delve further into experimental and critical explorations of book publishing’s multi-dimensions through a range of participatory modes. Drawing from ideas surrounding existing and imagined spaces, the pair will create multimodal sites to study and disrupt participatory models by hosting, both online and in-person, experimental versions of spaces – which include a personal-public library, a 24-hour bookstore, and a silent reading party.

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Portrait image on listings page and hero banner: Image courtesy of the artists.

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