Hello Bukit Panjang
PODSCAPE – Sounds & Stories of The City made its debut in Bukit Panjang in March 2020.
The inaugural season of this SHOPHOUSE & CO creation featured a collaboration with sound artist Ng Sze Min of Artwave Studio to create soundscapes inspired by unique features of the place such as its lush vegetation and landscaping, the iconic rail networks that pass through it, and other community landmarks as shared by the residents. It also features the effervescent duo from one of Asia’s top podcasts, Dan & Rebecca of Litolabs as the hosts for the first season of the PODSCAPE podcast! Expect their exuberant energy alongside the sharing of their personal connections to Bukit Panjang.
The PODSCAPE pop-up experience landed in Bukit Panjang on three Saturdays, 14th, 21st and 28th March 2020. Alongside the POD which acts as a mobile recording booth, it also featured a soundscape installation by Ng Sze Min, and other fringe activities to collect sounds & stories of Bukit Panjang.
PODSCAPE is first commissioned for the National Arts Council’s Arts in Your Neighbourhood March 2020.
The pop-up
Where
Playground/Exercise Corner beside Bukit Panjang Town Council. 256 Bangkit Rd, Singapore 670256. Google Maps
Nearest LRT station: Bangkit LRT
14, 21, 28 March 2020
9am to 12pm
What
Soundscapes by Ng Sze Min — A set of 6 sound art works that draws inspiration from stories and ambient sounds in the neighbourhood.
“Love Letter to Bukit Panjang” – An activity about hope, gratitude, and memories of the neighbourhood that will contribute to a communal story bank.
“Land, marked” – A communal mapping activity to locate and mark locations in the neighbourhood that are filled with memorable stories and unique sounds.
THE POD - Podscape’s very own mobile recording booth!
And other co-located artworks as part of Arts in Your Neighbourhood!
Soundscapes of Bukit Panjang
These soundscapes inspired by Bukit Panjang were created by our collaborator, sound artist Ng Sze Min. They feature samplings of ambient sound recorded on site or imaginary soundscapes inspired by the past and present of the neighbourhood.
PHOTO: Daniel Food Diary
This sound is made out of animated conversations between youths in their late teens to early twenties. It is a well-known supper hang out for those who stay in Bukit Panjang.
PHOTO: Cheryl Chia
This place is found along a small road lined with houses, taken from a bus from the main road. A rooster is present and a symphony made by unseen musicians can be heard.
PHOTO: Nancy Khoo, Google Photos
A place where the community gathers, where hearts are warm and doors are open. Gates are unlocked, with the sun shining down and bellies are filled with patience.
PHOTO: Shophouse & Co
A mix of new and old sounds, residents use(d) it to travel around the neighbourhood. It loops around Bukit Panjang and travels slowly close to the houses.
PHOTO: National Archives of Singapore
Reimagined from a scene in the 1960s, this place had a ticketing booth and ice kachang! It was also mentioned as a popular dating site in the Podcast.
PHOTO: National Archives of Singapore
This event in Bukit Panjang was reported in old newspaper articles and it was mentioned that some of the finest fruits, vegetables, and flowers were on display!
Love Letters to My Neighbourhood
These ‘love letters’ were written by residents of Bukit Panjang during the PODSCAPE pop-up.
Podcast
Season 1 : Bukit Panjang
Over 6 episodes, we unravel the layers of Bukit Panjang and discover its origin and evolution through narratives and memories of its residents. Hosted by Dan & Rebecca of LITO and Adib & Stella of SHCO.
About Lito
LITO is a polymath studio offering brand photography + creative consulting for small businesses with a big vision.
A heartcentric duo obsessed with doing joyful creative work, Dan & Rebecca power one of Asia’s top business podcasts – The LITO Podcast – which marinades the intersection of Business, Creativity & Life.
About NG Sze Min
Ng Sze Min is a sound artist interested in expanding participatory forms. She expresses text, concepts, and experiences into audio works.
As the Creative Audio Producer at Artwave Studio, she collaborates across the arts, businesses and communities, bringing people together through music and sound.
In this episode, we discuss what makes Bukit Panjang unique from other neighbourhoods - from its vast network of community gardens to a supper hangout that attracts a nation-wide crowd. Learn also how sounds affect our experience of a place from our creative collaborator, Ng Sze Min.