Coconut tales = 椰爷故事 : grandfather (yeye) stories fo growing up in Singapore

Abstract

Coconut Tales uses the art of storytelling to retain memories of the past and strengthen the bond between grandparents and their grandchildren. Reminiscence therapy is used to engage seniors and helping them cope with dementia, and guide the story collection process.

Coconut tales bring forth the perspective of personal lives, connecting family members to engage in reminiscence within a series of environment scenes. Project records stories and moments of a Singaporean's life of the 1950s to the 1970s, contributing to saving Singapore's intangible heritage.

With the exploration of art, storytelling and heritage, the outcome of this project is an installation of miniature dioramas and a publication that encourages personal perspectives and stories of seniors to be shared. The imperative is to document, maintain and engage Singaporeans of different generations in Singapore’s heritage and to build new creative conversations between the old and the younger generations.