Details

Sweeping, panoramic performance - Diaspora is a sweeping, panoramic performance exploring memory, migration, assimilation and the triumph of the human spirit. Ong Keng Sen's visionary production is an intricate layering of music, video and live story-telling. Notions of home - Keng Sen and a group of video artists have searched for real-life stories of diaspora and displacement. Through the personal stories of Vietnamese Americans, Indonesian Chinese, Indians in South East Asia, Orang Laut (or sea nomads) and Scottish Muslims, Keng Sen explores notions of home, identity and the dispersion of peoples through war, through birth and through choice. 2000 years of Chinese music - This epic panorama of image and sound is underscored by a timeline of Chinese music spanning 2000 years, ranging from mountain songs to contemporary compositions, performed live by the Singapore Chinese Orchestra. 'Ong Keng Sen is one of Singapore's cultural jewels.' The Guardian Ong Keng Sen is Leverhulme Artist in Residence at the Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities at the University of Edinburgh. Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes approx.

Cast/Performers

Koh Boon Pin, Janice Koh, Lim Kay Tong, Nora Samosir

Creatives/Company

Author: Ong Keng Sen
Director: Ong Keng Sen
Conductor: Tsung Yeh
Other(s): Choy Ka Fai (video installation), Rabiya Chaudry (video artist), Ariani Darmawan (video artist), Zai Kuning (video artist), Dinh Q Le (video artist), Navin Rawanchaikul (video artist), Tintin Wulia (video artist)
Music: Toru Yamanaka (electronic composer)
Lighting: Scott Zielinski