Activation: Mouthful (masked duet)

The Mouthful mask was designed in response to Ana Prvački’s hope of enabling vocal interactions while protecting ourselves and covering the mouth and nose in a way that “follows the guidelines of our time.” Created by Galina Mihaleva from silicone and pieces of silk treated with tea, both natural anti-bacterial materials, the mask’s movements amplify the physicality of inhalation and exhalation. Two singers, Reginald Jalleh and Zerlina Tan, wearing Mouthful masks perform an original music composition by Joyce Bee Tuan Koh, in which the vocalization of breathing forms the basis of this duet built upon the twin needs of connecting with others and protecting oneself.

Come see the Mouthful mask up close, hear a brief curatorial introduction to the project, and witness the two singers enact the duet. Due to Safe Management Measures, attendance for each performance will be limited.

Important note: Please arrive five minutes before the start of the activation. Latecomers will have their seats be given away to walk-ins.

BIOGRAPHIES

Joyce Bee Tuan Koh (Singapore) composes concert music and creates sound installations and multi-media works. Versatile and collaborative, Joyce has a wealth of experience working with musicians, choreographers, theatre-makers, artists, writers, philosophers, filmmakers, and architects. Originating from her interests in architecture and interdisciplinarity, her work explores notions of sonic canvas, space, and theatre of music. As described by the International Piano Quarterly, her sound world “engages the intellect and requires a different approach”. Her works have been presented at international festivals notably, International Computer Music Conferences, International Symposium on Electronic Arts, World Stage Design, Biennale Musiques France, Sir Henry Wood Promenade UK, Melbourne Arts Festival, Sydney InsideOut Festival, Singapore Arts Festival, Singapore Dan:s Festival, and Soundislands Festival.

Galina Mihaleva (Bulgaria/Singapore) is Associate Professor at the School of Art, Design and Media, Nanyang Technological University, where she teaches Technology, Art and Fashion. Her research investigates the physical and psychological relationship we have with garments or what she calls “wearable technology.” Mihaleva taught at Arizona State University for more than 15 years in costume design, where she often worked with renowned choreographers worldwide. She is the founder of Galina Couture in Scottsdale, Arizona where her team develops exclusive and unique collections making use of new materials. Mihaleva received the Rumi award in the US and won first place at Tiffany’s Paris Fashion Week, 2016.

Ana Prvački’s (Romania/Germany) background in music, theatre, mask work, architecture, fine art and beekeeping inform a cross disciplinary practice that ranges from painting to performance and augmented reality. Her experimental approach is central to a strategy for creating unique experiences and an environmentally conscious artistic practice. Her work has been featured in museum exhibitions including at the de Young Museum in San Francisco and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston, and has also been included in the 14th Istanbul Biennial, 1st Singapore Biennale, dOCUMENTA 13, the upcoming 13th Gwangju Biennial and Bangkok Biennial.

Image: Ana Prvački in collaboration with Joyce Bee Tuan Koh and Galina Mihaleva, Mouthful (masked duet), 2021, installation, performance, and sound work. Commissioned by NTU CCA Singapore for Free Jazz III. Sound. Walks.