The First
Void Deck
2023
Interactive Installation
Illustrator, InDesign
Void Deck
2023
Interactive Installation
Illustrator, InDesign
The "Exploded Cube" may represent a deconstruction and reimagining of the traditional gallery space, where the rigid, controlled environment of the white cube is expanded into a dynamic, interactive system. By integrating technology, sensory design, and cognitive science, the exploded cube can become a dynamic environment where art and external influences are in constant dialogue, offering a richer, more immersive experience for the viewer.
The First Void Deck, is a site-specific artwork that seeks to embody the principles of the exploded cube by exploring the significance of the first void deck in Singapore. Through a creative and immersive approach, we aim to highlight the cultural importance of the void deck as a unique Singaporean space, breaking away from conventional art presentation methods and encouraging active engagement with the community. The project is presented as three conceptual art pieces, each representing a different dimension of the void deck’s story, told through an “exploded cube” format.
The essence of The First Void Deck project as an “exploded cube” work motivates viewers to engage with the space beyond the boundaries of a traditional gallery setting. Rather than containing the experience within an enclosed venue, the installations motivate viewers to step out, visit the original void deck, and encounter its reality firsthand. The first void deck is not just a typical communal space but an evolving symbol of community life, identity, and shared history.
This art project invites people to discover the first void deck’s authentic presence—not just as an art object to be observed, but as a living space to be felt, experienced, and explored. By encouraging personal exploration, it challenges the manipulative neutrality of the white cube, urging viewers to uncover the truth of the void deck’s cultural and historical significance on their own terms. In this way, The First Void Deck dismantles the passive role of the spectator, inviting a journey of discovery that honors the ontology of the space itself.
The Steps
Language and Physical Distance
The Steps is an interactive signage piece that tracks the physical journey required to reach the first void deck from the viewer’s current location. Inspired by Singapore’s brown heritage signage, it displays the phrase “First Void Deck” in four official languages (English, Malay, Mandarin, and Tamil). This piece uses the concept of physical distance to explore the relationship between the viewer and the void deck, creating a narrative of both personal and collective journeys to this historically significant space. By mapping these journeys, The Steps offers a humanistic perspective on how this communal space connects individuals to their shared history.
The Time
Ontology & Material
The Time addresses the temporality and transient nature of the void deck. Through an hourglass filled with concrete particles—representing the material of HDB flats—the piece reflects on the 99-year lease of HDB flats, symbolizing the eventual return of the land to the state. The concrete particles not only represent the physical erosion of time but also serve as a reminder of the impermanence of the void deck as a communal space. This work brings attention to the cyclical nature of time, the inevitable changes in our built environment, and the impermanence of even the most significant social spaces.
The Shades
Social and Historical Dimensions
The Shades is a photographic piece that captures the evolving physical and social identity of the first void deck. Focusing on the textures and marks on the walls, this work examines the visible signs of history—scuff marks and wear that have accumulated over time. The color codes used for the walls, along with the photographs, tell the story of the space’s transformation, from its original construction to its present state. Through this visual record, The Shades explores how the void deck has become a living archive, bearing witness to the diverse activities of the community.