Compression
A Micro-exhibition hosted at Baba House
Taking reference from the structural term ‘compression pillar’ that bears a structure’s weight, Compression is a micro-exhibition that explores the intricate relationship between identity and the concept of home, examining how these elements are shaped, confined, and re-defined through the act of compression.
Co-curated by Lizzie Wee and Dylan Chan, the works in Compression interrogate the roles, traditions, and narratives, which question how these elements compress individuals into prescribed forms of being. The showcase invited viewers to consider the spaces where identity is nurtured and constrained, where the struggle to maintain coherence within the self mirrors the broader tensions of belonging and self-expression.
The micro-exhibition featured an artist panel moderated by Lesole Tauatswala (BLVCK BLOCK COO), with Isa Pengskul, Dylan Chan, Lizzie Wee, Solomzi Moloketi (BLVCK BLOCK CEO) and Joey Khuvutlu from Daily. Daily is a furniture design studio that collaborated closely with the international residents on the production of some of the artworks.
Compression examines the tension of holding together fragmented parts of the self within the confines of domestic spaces, where the push and pull of societal expectations and personal realities converge. Through various mediums, the works by the three Singapore-based artists reflect on the ways in which identity is both preserved and transformed under the pressures of defining home.
The notion of compression is investigated not only as a physical act but as a metaphorical force that influences the construction of identity. The works in Compression interrogate the roles, traditions, and narratives, which question how these elements compress individuals into prescribed forms of being. The showcase invites viewers to consider the spaces where identity is both nurtured and constrained, where the struggle to maintain coherence within the self mirrors the broader tensions of belonging and self-expression.
At its core, Compression is a meditation on the resilience and adaptability of identity in the face of compression. The exhibition highlights the dual nature of home as both a site of comfort and also of confinement, exploring how the pressures of holding together disparate aspects of self and space can lead to new forms of understanding and being. Through this lens, Compression offers a nuanced reflection on the complexities of identity and the enduring quest for a sense of place within the ever-shifting boundaries of home.
