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Zen Teh
A Familiar Forest Edition #2, 2021
Experiential installation, synthetic sound of nature, synthetic scent of forest, photographic print on fabric,
Solo Exhibition and inaugural exhibition at Hygge Lee Wee Nam Library, commissioned by Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
 Set in an urban space, A Familiar Forest by environmental artist Zen Teh is an immersive art installation that replicates the ambience of a natural forest in the night. This interdisciplinary blend of art and science is a response to the complexities of human-nature relationships in the context of urbanity. Medical research has established a close correlation between human wellness and proximity to nature; but what does it mean to be connected to nature? |  In this exhibition, we present a replica of a local forest. This is also a manifestation of our imaginations and desire towards nature as urban dwellers. Scientific research on the therapeutic effects of nature by Dr Ching Jianhong (Duke-NUS) complements the installation, presented as 34 images of Singapore’s parks and nature reserves, artificial soundscape and concocted scents. |  Human activities are affected by the constant power shift with nature as urbanism continues to shape our environment. Loss of local knowledge and deteriorating perception of normality in environmental conditions over time pose challenges to human-nature relationship. As the state of human and natural landscape changes rapidly, how can we understand human-nature interconnectivity? |
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 Human beings have become better at extracting aspects of nature for our sustenance, ambition and devising ways to mitigate challenges arising from continual depletion of natural environs. However, will our efforts and efficiency ever fail us? Will replication ever be enough? |  A Familiar Forest is an extension of a solo exhibition by Zen Teh titled Sensing States: Healing Spaces, presented at the Art Science Museum in 2015. This was an Art and Science Open Call initiative by The Substation. Dr Ching Jianhong is the scientific advisor to this project since its first presentation. The artificial soundscape was created by Brian O’Reilly. |  A Familiar Forest edition #2 is a commissioned solo exhibition by Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. Exhibition runs from January 2021 - January 2022 |
 Film photography of night greenery at pockets of urban greenery in densely built environs |  The images of greenery in the installation are entirely constructed, they are not of real forest. Instead, they are of urban green spaces in the midst of densely built areas in different parts of Singapore |  A Familiar Forest edition #2 is a commissioned solo exhibition by Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. Exhibition runs from January 2021 - January 2022 |
 The Straits Times Feature on A Familiar Forest |  联合早报 (Chinese Newspaper, Lian He Zao Bao) Feature on A Familiar Forest |  Experiential installation at Art Science Museum, Singapore In collaboration with Scientist Ching Jianhong and Sound Artist, Brian O'Reilly |
 Accompanying exhibition text |  Plan view layout of installation of full-size photographic scrolls (3 metres height) |  |
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