Di sini, di sana (Here, there)

Abstract

Singapore and Malaysia: two separate sovereign states but with a long and deeply connected shared history. As a result of this, though different in many ways, the countries also share many commonalities. From my own perspective, having lived in the northern part of Singapore and being close to the border my entire life, this overlap and melding of the two countries is ever more apparent. Frequently travelling across the border. Being able to receive Malaysian TV/Radio channels. Having the lands across the causeway within viewing distance from where I stay. Seeing the people in the area, a mix of the two nationalities. With this, an interest came to me, to visually explore these border areas, both in Singapore and Malaysia. I also investigate this idea of looking out over to our neighbours from our own physical space. Inside looking out. At the same time, by photographing Malaysia, being able to see our own homeland from foreign lands. Outwards looking in. Therefore, a manner in which two separate spaces are visualised while being in one physical space. By juxtaposing the images together, the physical distance of the two territories is compressed into a single visual while we still keep the boundaries in mind.