With only 2 weeks to produce an exhibition ready project, the senses became alive to everything that could possibly be useful in the project. In new surroundings it is very stimulating for every sense so the main load of the research comes down to filtering what is useful. Naturally I gravitated towards Architecture. In addition I looked at local readily available materials in the areas local to LaSalle College. I tended to explore the neighbourhoods of Little India, Rochor & Bugis where a common theme of Cardboard boxes & Plastic Tarpaulin became apparent. The boxes tended to be masses in certain areas on the edge of commercial areas with bicycles, trollies or bags near by. They were being collected & stored in these areas. The tarpaulin is used in a multitude of ways such as wrapping furniture, screening maintenance, covering buildings & used in smaller forms. The materials of Tarpaulin & Boxes became my materials of choice to make work.

Box Forms

Tarpaulin Forms

In addition to the wrapped forms in Tarpaulin there were several Screened forms. Here is the movement of one of those forms. 

Within the architectural vein of my research there were some key moments in the housing estates that added a strong visual context of human presence. In the tall, low income housing it is common to see washing hanging on the outside of the building on poles that attach to the small balcony or railings on the windows. These forms are striking to see & they add familiar ergonomic forms to the large repetitive architecture. In the occupied buildings they give the story of human inhabitation. However in the building I chose to study, The Rochor Centre, there are no clothes hanging out to dry. Conversely parts of the building complex wears a garment. Certain sections are wrapped & ready for demolition.

Washing Forms 

Wrapped Rochor Centre

The areas of research above lead to the use of boxes to make an installation. The colours of The Rochor Centre, Red, Blue, Green & Yellow became the colours in the work I made. Firstly in the form of tape on the boxes, secondly on screen printed card where repeat prints of washing fill the length of the work & thirdly in a sewn sketch book where the thread took on the four colours of the centre. One further element that I would have liked to use more of was the tarpaulin or sacks made from the same type of material as the tarp. This material was only present in one section of the box installation.

Books

Wong S, (2005). redwhiteblue here/there/everywhere anothermountainman

Koh K, Ong E, Tay E, Seng E and Balasingamchow Y (2017). Singapore's Vanished Housing Estates.'