Advertisement
Screening of a docu-film Sewang Ne' Asik by Zai Kuning, which documents the Sewang ritual of the Orang Asli community. About this Event
Film Screening: Sewang Ne' Asik (40min)
7 March 2021 / 4pm–8pm (Hourly slots) / Substation Theatre
Join us for a screening of Sewang Ne' Asik, a work-in-progress documentary film produced by artist Zai Kuning.
In this film, Zai attempts to document the elusive ritual of the Orang Asli—Sewang. It is a healing ritual that calls for the spirit of the forest to heal the sick, disturbs and for protection when one is about to take a journey somewhere else.
The video work features footages of the journey, exchanges and people that Zai had met since 2018. The development of the film was expected to take two years and Zai had planned to document Sewang in Kampong Gembok on 20 to 27 March 2019. With the closure of travel borders due to Covid-19, Zai had to return home ahead of the filming schedule.
There are many versions of Sewang performed at many cultural events and festivals of several cities. But the ‘real’ Sewang is usually performed at night and in the dark (without artificial light). It is usually carried out the forest/village itself and such rituals are usually not performed for cultural events in the city. Only those invited (mainly family member of the community) is allowed to be part of it. Through Sewang, Zai is interested in the way of life (Adat) of the Orang Asli community, which practices ancient beliefs that are deeply rooted in/on animism.
_
Due to the limited capacity available, we strongly encourage attendees to release your ticket if you're unable to attend.
About Projek Orang Asli:
4–14 March 2021 (Tue–Sun, Closed on Mon)
12pm–8pm
Substation Gallery
Projek Orang Asli is a continuation of artist Zai Kuning's interest in the subject of Austronesian and pre-Islamic arts and cultures in the Riau Archipelago region. Over 18 years, Zai has documented and created works inspired by the Orang Laut (sea people) and Mak Yong (ancient Malay opera) in the Archipelago. His observations have been documented in the form of writing, film, drawing, painting, and sculpture.
In this exhibition, Zai turns his attention to the Orang Asli, the aboriginal people of Peninsular Malaysia. They are the oldest inhabitants of this area, yet their existence is rarely mentioned in Singapore’s history. Their disappearance due to Singapore’s modern development is also largely unknown. Based on Zai’s childhood memories, the Orang Asli—who were also loosely known as the Sakai people—lived at the hill in Telok Blangah where his own relatives resided.
In the process of documenting the daily life, rituals, song and dance, traditional dress and folklore of the Orang Asli, Zai conceptualises and presents works within a range of visual art forms: photography, video documentation, writing and making notations. Zai is interested in discovering ways to present his findings as expressions of contemporary art, in the way that he has told the stories of the Orang Laut and Mak Yong to an international audience.
Advertisement
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
The Substation (Theatre), 45 Armenian Street, Singapore, Singapore
Tickets
SGD 0.00