" Feels like we're in a different country right?" I said to my taxi driver as we turned into the dimly lit street of Jalan Papan. Flanked on both sides with streams of foreign workers out for a walk with friends after a day's work. The area was so obscure that both the arrows on our GPS gadgets were hopping erratically onscreen, unable to pinpoint our exact location.
My taxi driver smiled, I think the bustling, festive vibe around us agreed with him, admittedly even for me it was infectious.
I was there that night and a few nights more, to capture footage of a 2 month long photography workshop offered to workers at a particular dormitory - Avery Lodge. The intention was to do a short video promo for the eventual exhibition, but the project soon took on a life of its own, culminating into the 20 minute recount of the purpose and effect of the course.
Migrant Encounters, an exhibition showcasing the best of the photographic works by its participants, is the result of this intensive 2 month program. It is organised by Dr Junjia Ye, a post doctoral research fellow and her friends Tai Shuxia and Jessie Koh, both social workers and founders of The Kokoro Project.
For most of us, the image of a migrant worker does not go beyond the skin deep - as a face in the crowd, or a picture in the papers, accompanying a sensational news story. An emotional distance we can apply to many encounters of our own, be it with locals or foreigners. But the openness of the facilitators and the students, which invoked an amiable rapport and genuine excitement for what the photographic process can inspire and create, has resulted in a product that reveals the heart and soul of each participant's unique perspective. Observations made in their lives interwoven with our own familiar city sights are featured in many succinctly crafted photo compositions. Depictions of universal themes such as friendship, family, struggles and reflection reminded me that often, if we look past the surface and physical boundaries, there are fundamental things that connect us as people.
Below is the video publichouse.sg made of the workshop process and short interviews with the students on their own personal favourites. Apologies beforehand if some segments may have been drowned out by background noise, we worked on a tight schedule given that the participants have limited time to spare. Do let us know if you require any clarifications or subtitles and thanks for watching!
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Migrant Encounters opens to the public on the 17th of November 2012 at the Pigeonhole, 8pm. The exhibition will run from the 15th - 28th of November 2012.
Find out more on the facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/events/283925285058598/?fref=ts