by way of slowing
by way of slowing brings together opportunities for gathering, guided by one question: what can slowness look like?
This series offers multiple entry points into Shooshie Sulaiman’s practice—emphasising knowledge systems, communities and kinships that extend beyond the human. Across two public programmes, join Shooshie in de-accelerating; pausing to step out of the mundanity of the city-life routine to consider the land, soil and sea around us, and how these interactions may shape our experience of the everyday.
by way of slowing is presented in conjunction with SAM’s Fellowship programme, "Building a 'non-institution' institution" with Shooshie Sulaiman. Unfolding over the course of 24 months, the process-centred fellowship follows Shooshie Sulaiman’s artistic practice and guiding philosophies, working towards incubating alternative curatorial models outside the museum walls, and reconsidering the public’s encounters with contemporary art.
about the fellowship
"Building a 'non-institution' institution with Shooshie Sulaiman" is a process-centred Fellowship that follows Shooshie’s intention to house a second iteration of an earlier work, Emotional Library (2007), in a shophouse based in Malacca. Shooshie’s artistic practice has never shied away from embracing the personal, intuitive and emotive. All of which Emotional Library (2007) exemplifies as the entry point to this Fellowship.
With this philosophy in mind, the Fellowship works towards developing Tadika Kura-kura (The Kindergarten of Slow Curating), a "curatorial software" grounded in generating and refining new knowledge systems, while building networks that expand the peripheries of artmaking through community and kinships that extend beyond the human. Working with the artist, Tadika Kura-kura serves as the prelude to how a new landscape may be realised. Using Tadika Kura-kura as a ‘curatorial software’, the Fellowship follows the artist’s construction of Emotional Library (A House), other related sites in Japan and Sulawesi as well as creative centers that not only engage with Shooshie’s practice but considers the public’s encounter with contemporary art.
Through a series of curatorial labs and programmes in both SAM and sites in Malaysia, the Fellowship’s underlying ethos is guided by incubating alternative curatorial models outside the museum while building critical museology around Shooshie’s practice. These processes will be shared on Samplings, SAM’s experimental writing platform conceptualised for showcasing curatorial research followed with a publication to be launched in the later part of 2025.
about the artist
Shooshie Sulaiman (b. 1973) is currently recognised as one of the most important contemporary artists of Southeast Asia. Drawing from the culture of her homeland of Malaysia, her mixed identity, as well as her personal memories, Shooshie's practice is characterised by her diverse approaches such as drawings, collages, installations, and performance that at times appropriate natural elements from trees, soil, and water native to the land. Through them, the works inform viewers of the complex and inextricably connected relationship between human beings, nature and art.
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[SPECIAL EVENT] Bumi dipijak, langit dijunjung: Food, stories, and komuniti at Tanah dan Air
[SPECIAL EVENT] Bumi dipijak, langit dijunjung: Food, stories, and komuniti at Tanah dan Air
Date: Fri, 11 Oct 2024
Time: 7PM – 9.15PM
Venue: Tanah dan Air (Land and Water), at West Coast Park
40 W Coast Ferry Rd, Singapore 129630
$15 per pax
In collaboration with artist Shooshie Sulaiman, Orang Laut SG will present a knowledge-sharing and dining experience at their heritage garden, Tanah dan Air. In conversation with Shooshie, Firdaus Sani (founder of Orang Laut SG) and two former Southern Islanders, the event will explore coastal narratives through stories of the indigenous communities in Singapore and the wider Nusantara.
Highlighting the relationship between land and water, Tanah dan Air was built by members of the Orang Laut/Pulau community. The kajang (roof), for example, was woven out of nipah leaves by Riau islanders and installed by a former Semakau islander—showcasing the connections between people, art and nature.
Guests will also be invited to join in communal kenduri-style dining, featuring tikar mengkuang (woven mats made from pandan duri leaves) seats and a homemade meal of Orang Laut cuisine prepared by Madam Nooraini, a native-born of Semakau.
This programme is part of by way of slowing, presented in conjunction with SAM’s Fellowship programme, “Building a 'non-institution' institution” with Shooshie Sulaiman. Click here to find out more about the fellowship
About Firdaus Sani
Firdaus Sani, a fourth-generation Orang Laut/Pulau descendant rooted in the Southern islands of Singapore and Riau Islands, cherishes his family's ties to Pulau Semakau. His grandparents were relocated from the island in 1977, but this did not sever the connection with their home. Firdaus grew up with their stories of living on Pulau Semaukau. He founded Orang Laut SG in 2020, and through this platform (http://oranglaut.sg), he seeks to preserve the island's heritage via photography, anecdotes and traditional cuisine, which is skilfully prepared by his mother, Madam Noorani Bte Rani.
Notes:
- Tanah dan Air is located within West Coast Park. Participants will have to walk in order to get to the community garden. While the terrain is generally flat, please note that the area around the garden is laid with gravel.
- You are invited to bring along food containers if you would like to take home any food that may be left over at the end of the event.
- While the meal will primarily take place while participants are seated on tikar mengkuang (woven mats made from pandan duri leaves), we are happy to provide alternative seating arrangements for any participant upon request.
- Please note that shoes should be taken off when entering Tanah dan Air.
[WORKSHOP] Earth to Paint: Natural Pigment Making Workshop with Wild Dot
[WORKSHOP] Earth to Paint: Natural Pigment Making Workshop with Wild Dot
Date: Sat, 12 Oct 2024
Time: 2PM – 4PM
Venue: Level 3, The Main Deck, #03-07, SAM at Tanjong Pagar Distripark
$20 per pax
Discover the wonders of nature with our botanical pigment workshop! Explore Shooshie Sulaiman's passion for natural materials and create your own pigments inspired by the vibrant colours of the Nusantara.
Singapore Sign Language interpretation will be provided.
In this workshop, participants will:
- Discover the fascinating worlds of Shooshie Sulaiman and Wild Dot, and their shared passion for earth, plants and inks;
- Understand the fundamentals of botanical ink-making by using natural materials like earth, soil, and natural binders;
- Learn to make botanical pigments from everyday plants.
This programme is part of by way of slowing, presented in conjunction with SAM’s Fellowship programme, “Building a 'non-institution' institution” with Shooshie Sulaiman. Click here to find out more about the fellowship
About Wild Dot
With their combined passion for art and nature, Shirin and Liz founded Wild Dot in 2019. They believe in creating more opportunities for people to have positive interactions that allow them to co-create with the Earth, so that they will care more for the environment. They hope that their work can inspire and encourage people to appreciate the beauty of nature and our intrinsic relationship with it.