Aloft at Hermès

fidelity, 2018, Jeremy Sharma, Aloft at Hermes

This is the sound-only installation by Jeremy Sharma. Held at Aloft at Hermès Singapore, fidelity is a sound-only project that showcases a collection of songs by some of Southeast Asia’s remote cultures. From Kristang folk music of Malacca’s Portuguese Eurasians to the melodic repetitions of Arabic and Persian phonemes in Taranas by the Rohingya people, fidelity tells the stories of these communities that live alongside all of us, and hidden in plain sight.

Preparatory materials for 'fidelity', 2018, Jeremy Sharma.

Me and my classmate entered where a gallery attendant presents an exhibition booklet before pointing in the direction of the installation. Aloft at Hermès holds two exhibitions yearly under the same theme selected by Programme Director Emi Eu. But for this time round, the event occurred from May to Aug 2018. The theme ‘fidelity’, Sharma focused on the intangible, recording songs from around the region from different communities. Such as, the Rohingya, Orang Seletar, Javanese and Kristang throughout his travels over the years.

Installation view of 'fidelity', 2018, Jeremy Sharma. Image from exhibition handbook. 

The small installation consists of cream and grey walls, circular wooden bench, and surrounded by six speakers. The dimly spotlights trained on the bench gave me the feeling of calm. With the unfamiliar aborigine sounds playing over lab to another sounds. I was reading on Exhibition’s blue templates to find out what songs are they playing. And I completely have no idea what are they saying since the languages are unfamiliar. Yet, the musical discord, I find myself pleasant with song’s nostalgic harmony and feel at ease. Somehow, I find the songs are similar with aborigine Thai’s songs and it reminds me when I visit my grandparents hometown and enjoyed my pure childhood life. After 15 minutes of the sounds installation. The chatty gallery attendant start the conversation about the installation, probing into the experience and introducing Sharma’s research material. This exhibition comes from Sharma’s interest in grain of human voices. The believes of pitches and tone to control human anger. And The sounds that meant to interpret to people of what their cultures are about.

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It was good experiences for me to know that the biggest luxury brand like Hermés embodies cultures diversity, arts, and creativity. Through the Fondation d’entreprise Hermès to reflects the distinctive voice and deep artisan roots of the house of Hermès, with its long history of social solidarity based on mutual support and collaboration around the world. Resulting in the exhibitions holding in Singapore at Aloft twice a year.

Thanks to my lecturer Joyce Lai & Anisa Johnny for the new experiences. xx