Vincent Yong
Somatic Movement Educator
A fellow photographer, Chris Yap, curated an exhibition called Unshakeable「 揺れない」to raise funds for the earthquake victims in Japan in 2011. He introduced me to Vincent Yong, a dancer, as a collaborator. We made some images for the exhibition and became friends. Later, I realized that he first came to my studio as a student in 2002. He has been a subject in several of my photography series and a collaborator on other projects, like a short dance piece, “The Hole in My Heart” (2013). He is now doing pioneering work in Singapore on somatic movement. We are both interested in how to flow with life.
1. I think the photo chosen is good. Brought back memories and I remember it was with [Zhuo] Zihao then too?
2. The Unshakeable shoots were nicely captured with a phone camera, and I fondly remember them.
3. I decided to do “The Hole in My Heart” because of a promise I had wanted to fulfil, for the closure of my mother’s death. That was another hole I wanted to fill up after my own heart condition.
4. I enjoyed our conversations about the body portraits, and how they evolved into the performance, and the creativity we both bounced off each other.
5. I am looking forward to your book and what it might bring forth for the arts industry.
6. Actually, I remember vividly our conversation over Fei Fei wanton mee, where you commented on my rhythm of speech, which you found fascinating . . . you probably had no idea it was due to my heart condition and the way I breathe. Also, there was another time in a cafe at Holland Village . . . halfway through our conversation, you set a stopwatch going for one minute of silence . . . I wonder if you remember what I said afterwards?
The things we frame show our focus . . . the things outside of the frame show our possibilities.
May we create our lives and our art in possibilities and with utmost curiosity.
