Bad Dream Rocking a.k.a The Rocking Malaya (2024)
Au Sow Yee X Chen Yow-Ruu (Her Lab Space)
commissioned by Singapore Art Museum
Bad Dream Rocking, a.k.a. The Rocking Malay(a)examines "Si Tanggang," a renowned Malay folktale depicting an individual who transforms into stone as a consequence of filial ingratitude. The artwork deconstructs and reconstructs the narrative, tracing the various iterations of "Si Tanggang" through retellings, cinematic adaptations, and journalistic accounts. Her Lab has also incorporated collective memories of the folktale in the installation by integrating audio recordings of interviews with undocumented children born and residing in Malaysia; each subject narrates the story in their own words and incorporates their envisioned modifications. By integrating archival materials and their numerous reenactments, Bad Dream Rocking, a.k.a. The Rocking Malay(a), explores the metaphor of a fracturing rock being altered by imperceptible forces, reflecting the instability of identity. It also endeavors to interrogate issues such as the boundaries of inclusion and exclusion, as well as insider and outsider status. Through the deconstruction and reconstruction of the tale, Her Lab has recontextualized "Si Tanggang" as a haunting, disconcerting dream, albeit not a nightmare.
The story of “Si Tanggang” was adapted into a 1961 film produced by Malay Film Production and distributed by Shaw Brothers. What's the difference between him and us? People look at fortune. Following lines excerpted from the 1961 film were re-interpreted by undocumented children born and reside in Malaysia.
“People look at races, classes, He is oil and we are water.How could we be the same? “
“Tanggang swear, if people look at classes,I will pursue classes. If people look at fortune,Tanggang will also pursue fortune. If races could be bought or found, Tanggang will also pursue that as well.”
Production Credit
Sound Recordings with Epyi, Ryi and Sha from Buku Jalanan Chow Kit (BJCK, Malaysia) .
Video Production Credit
a work by Au Sow Yee × Chen Yow-Ruu
Producer | Chen Yow-Ruu
Performers | Kurt Hsiao, LU, Tsai Yiling, Tseng Hsin-Yen
Musicians | Winnie, Hu ChunChuan, Sylvain Chen, Wang Ching-Hsuan
Additional sound reenactment of Si Tanggang’s dialogue | Epyi, Ryi and Sha (BJCK, Malaysia)
Log Keeper | Wayne Pan
Craft Service | Ryan Lin
Director of Photography | Chen KuanYu
First Assistant Camera | Yang Che Chi
Second Assistant Camera | Chen Yi-Fang, Lai Chung-Yi
Gaffer | Emile Peng
Best Boy | Chang Hsing Pei, Yang Yu Ming
Second Assistant Lighting | Yulii Deng, Jade Lin
Sound/Foley/Mixing | Feng Chih Ming
Sound Assistant | Chen Chieh Hsi
Music Composer/Arrangement | Winnie
Costume Designer | Center You
Production Designer | Cheng Hsuan Sun
Production Design Assistant | Jeong ZhiLong, Jamo Chen
Still Photographer | Lee Hsin-Che
A production of Her Lab Space
Commissioned by Singapore Art Museum
Supported by National Culture and Arts Foundation
Special Thanks to Buku Jalanan Chow Kit, SPH Media, Jun Ng, Liyana Yamin, Richard Yeoh