open house for the hin bus depot art residency featuring the premiere of faces

performance program

• day 1, opening: straight flush
• day 2: circle
• day 3: vigil

event description

What does a nomad artist bring with him to a big, empty residency house in Penang? What therein can and cannot be rid of? Is there something there which can be given an autonomous form that will diverge from its blueprint, evolving with the input of you, the visitor?

These questions will be reflected on in the open house of Stephan E Perez, as his residency at Hin Bus Depot nears its end.

post-event statement by Ivan Gabriel:

Stephan E Perez's practice is deeply rooted in the exploration of memory and nostalgia, blending performance and technology to blur the line between art and life. His work, often centered on the memories of people—both living and deceased—prompting reflection on whether our relationships are made of memories or if memories themselves become independent entities, living on beyond the connections they were originally tied to.

For his post-residency showcase, Stephan presented an opening performance titled “ Straight Flush ’’. This piece, which involved burning only some of the cards he once shared with a significant person, served as a personal reflection on relationships and the process of letting go.

The projection that accompanied his open studio last weekend incorporated technological interactivity and drew from the themes of two short stories Stephan read during his time in Malaysia. Influenced by " Rukun Tetangga " by Preeta Samarasan and " Nadia " by Amanda Lim, These narratives, combined with Stephan’s personal experiences, culminated in the creation of somanyfaces.in —a living memory sculpture where visitors could choose to contribute to this ongoing project.

As Stephan’s residency with Hin Bus Depot draws to an end, we are thankful to Stephan for sharing his journey with us and experience with us. If you missed his open studio, full house last weekend, be sure to visit somanyfaces.in and witness this living memory for yourself.

photos of the opening by vinee