Origin, 2022

Aluminium, steel, magnetic letter tiles and acrylic display box

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86.5 x 66.5 x 8 cm

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Do you remember what you were doing when Singapore reported the first case of the Wuhan virus on 23 January 2020? I was preparing for Lunar New Year celebrations that weekend and planning my return trip for work in New York.

 

2 years later, the virus has evolved through multiple mutations and new variants continue to be discovered. As a continuation of my personal response to the pandemic, I created Origin, using the first and last 165 letters of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 isolate Wuhan-Hu-1 genome. In total, 330 letters mark the number of days I was away from the big apple.

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Inspired by empty departure halls, vaccinated travel lanes (VTL) and restrictions to movement, Origin does not offer answers but looks at how our daily lives are disrupted by the on-going pandemic. In silent acquiescence, are we accepting vaccination status as the new 'Passport', which expires and requires renewal when new variants of the virus strain emerge?

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Truth is, we're not out of the woods, as infection numbers continue to rise. Perhaps we should all enter deep fugue. I'm not ready to 'live with COVID-19', are you?