07 Sculptural Landscape Object

Designer Mentee: Julie Progin & Jesse Mclin
Mentor: Ho Puay-Peng

Design Brief

The designers will re-interpret the history, and the current needs of the Mansion, rethinking its textile elements to design a functional sculptural object. The design object may also include the use of re-interpretation and reuse of various materials that build on their expertise and techniques with ceramic making.

Designer Statement • Julie Progin & Jesse Mclin

Taking on the alternate role of contemporary archaeologists, alchemists and designers Julie & Jesse are experimenting with ceramic and textile in the making of sculptural objects to incite visitors of Haw Par Mansion to look, travel, wander and dwell into a reinterpreted microcosm of the lost Tiger Balm Gardens.

“Terra Mobile”, the duo’s project contains multi-layered narratives that explore wit and nuance the didactic, sculptural, unconventional yet traditional qualities of Aw Boon Haw’s visionary wonderland.

Investigating the possibilities of using waste threads from Tai Ping’s production line in the making of a new clay body the duo intends to fashion a cognitive, playful and poetic rendition of the garden’s landscape elements
tracing their lineage to weave a thread between past, present and future and activate the gardens of Haw Par Mansion.