PHOTOGRAPHY | PUBLICATION DESIGN
Comfort to Concrete
A photography and publication design project that uncovers and shed light to the issue of homeless people in Singapore.
A photography and publication design project that uncovers and shed light to the issue of homeless people in Singapore.
I immerse myself in the world of Singapore's rough sleepers, embarking on an empathetic and introspective journey. Rather than merely documenting the lives of those who have found themselves on the margins of society, I aim to understand their daily practices, struggles, and resilience from a deeply personal perspective.This project takes a unique approach by actively participating in the practices and routines of Singapore's rough sleepers.
For this project to maintain authenticity, the creator(myself) sets limitations on what can be carried out while starting as a rough sleeper in Singapore. A key focus is on the belongings brought along at the beginning of the day in this role. Due to time constraints, it is not possible to document the experience over an extended period to fully capture the life of a rough sleeper. As the topic is both sensitive and subjective, the portrayal may not fully represent their reality. However, it is emphasized that this work reflects the creator’s personal experience as a rough sleeper in Singapore.
Within a span of 24hours, a rather short period of time but to try experiencing in person to live in the streets. There is a few objectives that I've set as well to get a deeper understanding of how the rough sleepers in Singapore get by.
Through the interviews with the rough sleepers by CNA, I decided to mimic some of their practices which they use as a rough sleeper in Singapore to get by their days. Initially I wanted to have the pictures photographed in a symbolic way, but without context at first glance, the audiences will not be able to get what I was trying to portray, therefore not all the pictures that I took have a symbolic meaning. In some of the photos I decided to take the location where I was at to rest/ eat or the place that I intend to use.(eg Coffee Shop, Laundry Shop) Whereas for the practices like putting their belongings in the fire hose riser, I took the pictures such that I am in the frame and doing the action which makes it more obvious for the viewers that I'm doing something there.
The publication design draws inspiration from the lives of rough sleepers, with a focus on materials and binding techniques that reflect their reality. Cardboard, often used for makeshift shelters, informed both the irregular format and tactile qualities of the design. A clean cardboard sheet from Artfriend was cut and partially torn to expose the corrugated interior, creating a raw, rugged texture while serving as a functional grip for the pages. Rubber bands were selected as the binding method, referencing the utilitarian tools used to bundle cardboard, while emphasizing themes of impermanence and fragility that align with the publication’s concept.
