This blog post is part of the Random Sampling Singapore project. The Project aims to sample 100 places on the island of Singapore over a one year (+) period in order to gain an unbiased and holistic view of the city state.

Hidden within the “fisherman bank” lies coordinates 92, 30 and 34, an area that holds the potential to transform into an island, a floating solar park, or even something else entirely. As time progresses, airplanes will continue to soar over this otherworldly landscape en route from Singapore to the Philippines. While peering out from my cramped seat on a budget airline, I snapped countless photos of this intriguing site, capturing its essence out of the spot of coordinate 92. In this interconnected world, everything holds meaning.

Recently, I had the privilege of attending a conference in Manila organized by the Austrian Chamber of Commerce and the University of the Phillipines Diliam NISMED. This summit aimed to support women in STEAM (Science-Technology-Engineering-Art-Maths), and I felt honored to represent the artistic field. It was an extraordinary event where I encountered an array of warm and fascinating women (and great men too).

Artwork

I have been working on the portal for quite some time and it has been an incredibly exciting journey. During this time, I have had the opportunity to do some amazing things such as exhibiting at S.E.A Focus with Art Porters, traveling to Chiang Mai to learn traditional lacquer techniques from Professor Phumrapee, attending the summit in the Philippines, and doing some coordinated walks with Albrecht. I have also been able to spend time with my friends and family in Austria. Every time I embark on one of these experiences, it feels like I am going through a portal – it’s both frightening and exhilarating.

I was talking to my friend Vyndicate about this feeling and asked him to create a piece of music that captured it. He came up with a song called “The Portal”, which is named after this very feeling. Here is a WhatsApp message from him where he explains the inspiration behind the song:

“The introduction part with the ‘flute’ carries a sense of hesitation, worry. Like I discussed with you the feeling of standing before a portal. Curious but don’t really wanna go – but then the beat changes, becomes more fun and when I ‘let it flow’ and don’t worry about the unknown so much- Then it gets progressively vibrant as I lay all the melodies.

And when it ends, the outro is the same flute part as the intro, one can insinuate that I’ve entered and exited the very same portal.

But there’s a secondary meaning too to this track

I reflected on our friendship over the years here & the intro part becomes like when we first met, and then all the adventures come afterwards. And then the outro is a bit bittersweet because you are leaving Singapore.”

I posted the song on my YouTube channel. Please listen here.

“The portal” serves as the ultimate connection, linking individuals to their surroundings. Just like a single bea(d/t), an isolated entity may seem insignificant, but when interwoven with surrounding connections and other bea(d/t)s, it gains significance and awareness, contributing to the intricate network in which we live.