Friday, November 30, 2012
《阿坑探索樹梅坑溪》Ah Keng Exploring Plum Tree Creek
A sneak peek of the research work -《身份尋旅》In Search of Identity - for our Residency Programme at Bamboo Curtain Studio.
Thank you sonicbrat for the beautiful music.
And thanks to Ong Kian Sin for being that pair of hands behind 阿坑.
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Bamboo Curtain Studio Residency Journal WEEK 3
Week THREE | 第三周拍摄工作: 确认身份
Video Documentation: Identity and Identification
1. 根据之前拟定好的拍摄行程和内容开始進行街頭訪問等拍攝工作。（在竹围与竹围以外地区取景拍摄）。
2. 同時進行《身份尋旅》影像的取捨、剪接和融彙的後製作業。
1. To carry out the plan done in Week 2.
2. To identify the shot footages and personalize these footages in the editing process.
Weather has been kind to us.
Interview with Ms Catherine Lee, staff of Bamboo Curtain Studio.
It's been raining non-stop these days...
Video Documentation: Identity and Identification
1. 根据之前拟定好的拍摄行程和内容开始進行街頭訪問等拍攝工作。（在竹围与竹围以外地区取景拍摄）。
2. 同時進行《身份尋旅》影像的取捨、剪接和融彙的後製作業。
1. To carry out the plan done in Week 2.
2. To identify the shot footages and personalize these footages in the editing process.
__________________________________________
27 November 2012 | Tuesday
First stop was Plum Tree Creek, where Ah Keng shall be 'born'.
今天，天氣配合了我們。
第一站是樹梅坑溪，也就是阿坑誕生的地方。
***************************************
We are giving Ah Keng a taste of being a poster boy.
阿坑誕生後，被我們拐去當 poster boy.
It's amazing we can always find some joy in our work.
在工作當中，也應該來點樂趣。
_______________________________________________
今天的報告完畢！
That's all for today. Thank you....
__________________________________________
28 November 2012 | Wednesday
Interview with 陳鍊忠先生 aka 巧爸 from 雅加達早餐店 and Ms 貓兒綾綾.
陳鍊忠先生 has been nicknamed 巧爸 because he is the adoptive 'father' of 巧克力,
a stray dog he picked up 8 years ago.
巧克力 is currently the mascot of 雅加達早餐店 and you can occasionally see him patrolling the street where he lives.
__________________________________________
30 November 2012 | Friday
Interview with Ms Catherine Lee, staff of Bamboo Curtain Studio.
李曉雯女士.
__________________________________________
1 December 2012 | Saturday
It's been raining non-stop these days...
雨連續下了幾天。
Ah Keng is all geared up for rain tomorrow.
阿坑套上雨衣，等待明天的戶外採訪。
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Bamboo Curtain Studio Residency Journal WEEK 2
Week TWO | 第二周
戲偶製作: 拍攝準備
Puppet Making: Filming Preparation
1. 為竹圍打造一個只屬於竹圍的代表戲偶。
2. 整合前週調查和參訪所獲，設計拍攝問捲和內容，確認拍攝地點、機制和行程。
3. 模擬拍攝時如何分鏡和取景。
4. 繼續進行田野調查，補足有待調整的拍攝內容與大方向。
1. To create a puppet craft that is uniquely a product from Zhuwei.
2. To organize and digest the research materials gathered at the previous week and to conduct site recce as well as to draft out the production schedule of the video shoot.
3. To work out detailed framing and shooting based on the storyboard.
4. To plan for re-shoot or additional footages if deem necessary.
The name Zhuwei (竹圍) originates from how the original Aboriginal community structured their land. Families planted bamboos to surround their house as a mark of territory. At the same time, the bamboos served as a protection and shielded the houses from strong wind.
竹圍的名稱，來自遇原住民建立的地。他們在家的周圍種了竹子，把竹子圍成了个籬笆 ，稱四角竹圍。四角竹圍除了劃清每個家戶的地皮以外，還為它們防風。
Plum Tree Creek used to be the life source of the first Aboriginal settlers. Through time, through urbanization, the creek is fast disappearing physically and in the minds of the residents. Survival of this creek currently lies on the effort of a small community who cares about this land.
樹梅坑溪是原住民開發土地、建立生活的主脈。因發展与建設的元素，曾經旺盛的樹梅坑溪，現今成為一條快被遺忘的小溪流。樹梅坑溪的未來，就靠一群熱愛這片土地的居民來為它製造一條有生命力的‘道路’。
Materials:
1) Natural materials (as plants, twigs, etc)
2) Non-combustible materials (such as trash seen at the creek)
材料：
1）天然的（如草、枝、等）
2）人造的（如在竹林坑溪里被遺棄的廢物）
__________________________________________
Basic sketch of Ah Keng (by Ong Kian Sin).
阿坑的基本構圖 (王健松作品).
__________________________________________
戲偶製作: 拍攝準備
Puppet Making: Filming Preparation
1. 為竹圍打造一個只屬於竹圍的代表戲偶。
2. 整合前週調查和參訪所獲，設計拍攝問捲和內容，確認拍攝地點、機制和行程。
3. 模擬拍攝時如何分鏡和取景。
4. 繼續進行田野調查，補足有待調整的拍攝內容與大方向。
1. To create a puppet craft that is uniquely a product from Zhuwei.
2. To organize and digest the research materials gathered at the previous week and to conduct site recce as well as to draft out the production schedule of the video shoot.
3. To work out detailed framing and shooting based on the storyboard.
4. To plan for re-shoot or additional footages if deem necessary.
__________________________________________
20 November 2012 | Tuesday
Puppet design concept:
The name Zhuwei (竹圍) originates from how the original Aboriginal community structured their land. Families planted bamboos to surround their house as a mark of territory. At the same time, the bamboos served as a protection and shielded the houses from strong wind.
竹圍的名稱，來自遇原住民建立的地。他們在家的周圍種了竹子，把竹子圍成了个籬笆 ，稱四角竹圍。四角竹圍除了劃清每個家戶的地皮以外，還為它們防風。
Plum Tree Creek used to be the life source of the first Aboriginal settlers. Through time, through urbanization, the creek is fast disappearing physically and in the minds of the residents. Survival of this creek currently lies on the effort of a small community who cares about this land.
樹梅坑溪是原住民開發土地、建立生活的主脈。因發展与建設的元素，曾經旺盛的樹梅坑溪，現今成為一條快被遺忘的小溪流。樹梅坑溪的未來，就靠一群熱愛這片土地的居民來為它製造一條有生命力的‘道路’。
******************************************
Singapore is a country of rapid developments. A land size of 647 square kilometres (excluding the scattered islands), it now contains a population of 5.3 million people.
For years, I have been searching for an identity, something I can cling on to, something to allow me to extend my roots firmly into the land I call home. After interviewing the locals here in Zhuwei, I gathered that we share the same fate. The environment has been constantly changing. Green jungle has given way to concrete jungle. The old has given way to the new.
Due to such inevitable changes, is the search for one's identity possible?
Or should this "search for identity" become "building of identity"?
This question would be answered with the help of our Zhuwei puppet. Kian Sin and I have decided to name it Ah Keng (pronounced kerng with a silent "r"). Ah Keng (阿坑) will go round interviewing the local residents and help us find out where this path will lead us to.
Will it be discovering of identity? Or will it be building of identity? We shall know when we reach phase three of our project.
在迷失的狀態里，與其尋找身份，不如製造一個身份？
在迷失的狀態里，與其尋找身份，不如製造一個身份？
___________________________________________
Materials:
1) Natural materials (as plants, twigs, etc)
2) Non-combustible materials (such as trash seen at the creek)
材料：
1）天然的（如草、枝、等）
2）人造的（如在竹林坑溪里被遺棄的廢物）
__________________________________________
22 November 2012 | Thursday
阿坑的基本構圖 (王健松作品).
Materials bought and collected for the puppet construction.
今天購買以及收檢的材料。
Puppet construction work has started.
We are three days behind schedule. With the weather turning into cloudy and rainy days, progress of the construction work may be delayed further.
我們開始動工製作木偶了。
因為之前的採訪拖延了時間，加上老天爺一直在下雨，製作的過程會花更長時間。
The natural elements collected has to be cleaned to make sure they are insect free. They have to be dried as well but it will take some time since it keeps raining.
撿來的植物，都必須把昆蟲与骯髒處理掉，然後把它們晒杆。因為外頭一直下著雨，在室內它們會很慢杆。
Paper mâche is also something we need to do. We are keeping our fingers crossed for the sun to appear tomorrow. Meanwhile, we have to come up with a contingency plan.
希望明天太陽公公會露露面，向大地招招手。
在盼望着明天的來臨，同時也想想其他製作偶的測略。
The battle begins now...
我們沖啊!!!
__________________________________________
23 November 2012 | Friday
Having a bedroom-workshop has its plus point. We can work till the wee hours of the morning and when we can't hold back our sleepiness any longer, we can simply hop onto the bed.
把臥房轉換成工作室，可以長時間製作偶。累了只需跳上床就可以睡了。
__________________________________________
24 November 2012 | Saturday
Parent-child Workshop by The Finger Players
十指幫呈獻: 親子工作坊
Part of our residency programme here at Bamboo Curtain Studio is to share the many forms of puppets with the local residents.
我們在駐村的活動之一，是与本地的居民分享各種類的偶。
Preparation... 準備的過程....
謝謝佳美的協助!
And now we wait... 等待觀眾....
__________________________________________
It's a beautiful SUNday!!!! Time for a tan!!
太陽出來了!!!! 是時間曬太陽了!!
With today's sun, we are able to proceed with clay molding and paper mâche.
有了陽光，我們可以進行制型紙製作了。
25 November 2012 | Sunday
It's a beautiful SUNday!!!! Time for a tan!!
太陽出來了!!!! 是時間曬太陽了!!
With today's sun, we are able to proceed with clay molding and paper mâche.
有了陽光，我們可以進行制型紙製作了。
__________________________________________
Development of Ah Keng.
阿坑快要誕生了！
A rod puppet Ah Keng (left) and a hand puppet Ah Keng (right).
阿坑杖頭偶 (左) 与阿坑布袋偶 (右).
__________________________________________
26 November 2012 | Monday
阿坑快要誕生了！
阿坑杖頭偶 (左) 与阿坑布袋偶 (右).
__________________________________________
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Bamboo Curtain Studio Residency Journal WEEK 1
In Search of Identity……Zhuwei ↔Singapore
身份尋旅……竹圍↔新加坡
Week ONE | 第一周
田野調察；資料收集
Field Study: Materials Sourcing
1. 認識竹圍的人文歷史和生態。
2. 深入探訪個案（土生土長的竹圍居民：老中青少）。
3. 參訪竹圍重要地標和古蹟。
4. 尋覓和購置最能代表竹圍的材料（以便戲偶的製作）。
5. 參訪竹圍以外的人文生態（收集竹圍之與眾不同的特色和內涵）。
1. Getting to know the locality and befriend
the local culture.
2. To research on the local residents of all
ages and their living styles.
3. Visitations to
important landmarks and historical sites
surrounding Zhuwei.
4. In search of representational materials
from the locality for the construction of puppets.
5. Extension of visitations to Dan Shui/Tamsui area
and beyond.
________________________________________
13 November 2012 | Tuesday
Field trip #1: Exploring the trail of
Golden Riverside Cycling Path. 探索金色水岸自行車道。
These are the thoughts that came into mind along the trail:
在探索的過程中，有許多感觸，也發了一些疑問：
在探索的過程中，有許多感觸，也發了一些疑問：
How to strike a balance between
preservation of nature and urbanization?
在自然環境与人工發展裡頭，是否能找出一個平衡點？
在自然環境与人工發展裡頭，是否能找出一個平衡點？
看見生物在等待食物，感覺樹梅坑溪還有生存的希望。
Life source of Plum Tree Creek - provision of food and leisure.
看見伯伯悠閒的在釣魚，感覺樹梅坑溪的魅力。
看見伯伯悠閒的在釣魚，感覺樹梅坑溪的魅力。
In Zhuwei, is fishing at present day a livelihood or has it
become a hobby?
在當今的竹圍，捕魚是生存的活動還是成為了嗜好呢？
在當今的竹圍，捕魚是生存的活動還是成為了嗜好呢？
________________________________________
15 November 2012 | Thursday
Field trip #2: Exploring the trail that
leads to the source of Plum Tree Creek. 尋找樹梅坑溪的源頭。
A portion of the walking trail along Plum Tree Creek was damaged due to a minor landslide after heavy rain.
雖然聽說沿著樹梅坑溪的路段因糟了颱風豪雨而坍塌，我們還是想親眼看看狀況。
雖然聽說沿著樹梅坑溪的路段因糟了颱風豪雨而坍塌，我們還是想親眼看看狀況。
Documentation of damaged trail.
挖土機如來探病的醫生。
挖土機如來探病的醫生。
Recording of singing bamboos.
在樹梅坑里，遇到了會唱歌的竹群。
A forgotten past.
人類一直急速的往上發展，樹梅坑曾經茂盛的溪流与植物是否會象這輛摩托車，
慢慢的被遺忘呢？
人類一直急速的往上發展，樹梅坑曾經茂盛的溪流与植物是否會象這輛摩托車，
慢慢的被遺忘呢？
Bonding of residents in Zhuwei.
有甚麼活動可以讓竹圍的居民，開開心心的聚在一起呢？
有甚麼活動可以讓竹圍的居民，開開心心的聚在一起呢？
竹圍的英雄們：
Workmen braving the strong autumn wind.
建築人員冒著巨大的秋風繼續工作。
建築人員冒著巨大的秋風繼續工作。
Unsung heroes having to work through winter to repair the damaged trail along Plum Tree Creek.
偉大的工程師們，會風雨無阻的把維修工作在明年過年前完成。
偉大的工程師們，會風雨無阻的把維修工作在明年過年前完成。
****************************************
Since our (Kian Sin and I) arrival 5 days ago, we have spoken with staff and artists of Bamboo Curtain Studio, food sellers and retirees and I conclude that the situations here in Zhuwei and Singapore are the same.
In Search of Identity is the theme of our project. It is a topic we feel very close to. Living in Singapore, a multicultural country, we have been constantly searching for our roots and an identity. This search has become more intense with the ongoing rapid changes in Singapore. We witness a surge in population, the demise of dialects and last but not least precious heritage giving way to new buildings in the name of progress.
Change is inevitable. The population in Zhuwei consists of the locals, immigrants from other districts as well as other countries. Together, they have been witnessing the geographical and social changes. Responses to these changes vary. Some haven chosen to confront the changes while others chose to go with the flow. Whatever the responses are, I cannot help but think that humans are great creatures of adaptations. I have nothing but respect for that.
Apprentice:
Master, I was traveling on a course but got
bumped off suddenly.
I have lost my way. Do I carry on with my journey?
I have lost my way. Do I carry on with my journey?
Master:
My young apprentice, imagine that your
journey is like a flowing stream heading towards the sea. When your path runs like
that flowing stream, you will bound to encounter water from other paths. Their
currents may be stronger than yours and thus would alter your original course.
Learn to flow with the new additions. It doesn't matter which path you take because
all paths will eventually lead to the open sea.
Learn to flow with the new additions. It doesn't matter which path you take because
all paths will eventually lead to the open sea.
________________________________________
17 November 2012 | Saturday
Home is where the heart is.
人 是一群遊牧民族。
人的本性就是漂泊的 ，
但他不象這些種子，會隨風漂游。
人 漂泊是為了找个地方紮根。
那個地方的特性就是紮根的肥料。
找到了特性，就有長根的營養。
人 有思考能力的，
人 是有愛心的。
有了愛心，長出來的根是結實的。
有了結實的根保護着大地，
那片地就是 家！
Humans are born nomadic creatures.
We are no different from animals.
Some animals migrate due to weather change.
Some migrate due to environmental change.
They are no different from humans.
What prompts us to migrate?
SURVIVAL.
When humans relocate themselves, what do they look for in their new dwelling?
Affordability?
Air quality?
Comfort?
Community?
Convenience?
Food?
Food?
Future value of the place?
Governing party?
Governing party?
Safety?
Surrounding scenery?
Weather conditions?
Weather conditions?
And in what order would they list the above according to their priority?
在座談會里，有關單位收集了當地居民的疑問、想法以及建議。
無論是土生土長的當地居民，或是旧移民，或是新移民，大家都抱著關懷的心態，為他們的家造出一個有生力的土地。
2012 Dialogue Session between authority and community:
This is the first meeting held to gather feedback and ideas from the community in the planning of Development of Plum Tree Creek.
Be it original residents of Zhuwei, old immigrants or new immigrants, everyone shared a same agenda; that is to improve the conditions of the place they call home.
今天，帶了洋娃娃偶去尋找竹林的特性。
Thinking that it might come in handy, we brought along our doll puppet for our search in the identity of Zhuwei.
2012 樹梅坑溪流域規劃願景座談會：
新北市政府水利局在民生里里民活動中心主辦的座談會。在座談會里，有關單位收集了當地居民的疑問、想法以及建議。
無論是土生土長的當地居民，或是旧移民，或是新移民，大家都抱著關懷的心態，為他們的家造出一個有生力的土地。
2012 Dialogue Session between authority and community:
This is the first meeting held to gather feedback and ideas from the community in the planning of Development of Plum Tree Creek.
Be it original residents of Zhuwei, old immigrants or new immigrants, everyone shared a same agenda; that is to improve the conditions of the place they call home.
____________________________________________________________
19 November 2012 | Monday
Thinking that it might come in handy, we brought along our doll puppet for our search in the identity of Zhuwei.
王伯伯、黃伯伯和其他伯伯們都非常健談。
同時也很愛開玩笑。
退休了後，与伙伴們天天聚會，喝喝茶，聊聊天，談談政府政策、
環境改善等，這可能是竹圍其中的一個地方的特性。
Retirees gather daily at this temple.
Being a bunch of good friends who grew up together, their daily ritual is to gather at this temple and chat about government policies, environmental change and family issues over cups of Chinese tea.
Retirees gather daily at this temple.
Being a bunch of good friends who grew up together, their daily ritual is to gather at this temple and chat about government policies, environmental change and family issues over cups of Chinese tea.
聽說，二十多年前，竹林慈玄宮從建後，跑來了一隻龜。
流浪龜就因此被領養了。待在這為它建設的‘家’，它只吃草。
細心照顧它的一位伯伯，偶爾會把籠子里（照片左上）的雞放出來，
好讓它們与龜玩貓捉老鼠。原因是要讓不怎麼愛動的龜跑一跑，運運動。
This amazing tortoise appeared right after the temple (竹林慈玄宮) was renovated twenty years ago.
No one knew its age.
The mysterious tortoise was then adopted by the temple and a 'home' was constructed for it.
An elderly staff at the temple took upon the task of taking care of this tortoise.
He fed it with carefully cultivated grass and found a way of exercising the tortoise, that is releasing chickens into the compound of the tortoise.
Being territorial, the tortoise would chase the chickens around his compound, thus getting the exercise it needs.
This amazing tortoise appeared right after the temple (竹林慈玄宮) was renovated twenty years ago.
No one knew its age.
The mysterious tortoise was then adopted by the temple and a 'home' was constructed for it.
An elderly staff at the temple took upon the task of taking care of this tortoise.
He fed it with carefully cultivated grass and found a way of exercising the tortoise, that is releasing chickens into the compound of the tortoise.
Being territorial, the tortoise would chase the chickens around his compound, thus getting the exercise it needs.
Note: Judging by the pattern of the shell, this tortoise may be from the species known as angonoka/ploughshare/Madagascar/Madagascar angulated tortoise. Habitat of this species is mainly grassland and bamboo shrub. I'm guessing that twenty years ago, when farmers settled at Plum Tree Creek, the abundant bamboo shrubs were cleared to give way to farmland. As a result, this tortoise took refuge at 竹林慈玄宮.
It's a good thing that this tortoise met a kind and caring uncle who showered it with lots of care and love. Under the care of this uncle, life of this tortoise could never be better.
注： 從龜殼的花紋看來，它象是 angonoka/ploughshare tortoise/ Madagascar
tortoise/Madagascar angulated tortoise. 它們的 habitat (棲息地?)
主要是草林和竹林。可能是那時樹梅坑溪地帶被發展後，大片竹林都被砍掉，這只龜才投靠竹林慈玄宮。
還好它遇見了有愛心的阿伯，才可以活到今天。
很奧妙的，在這只龜的家，旁邊有棵樹。
這一棵樹，彎著腰，好像只有一個任務，
那就是要給小亭子提供涼快的蔭。
Right next to the tortoise's home, a tree grew and arches its trunk towards the tortoise's compound.
Following the footsteps of the elderly staff, this tree took upon the task of protecting the tortoise by shielding it from the scorching sun.
Right next to the tortoise's home, a tree grew and arches its trunk towards the tortoise's compound.
Following the footsteps of the elderly staff, this tree took upon the task of protecting the tortoise by shielding it from the scorching sun.
************************************************
Zhuwei has a history of more than two thousand years. With our short residency here of 30 days, we cannot say that we have discovered its identity based on an eight-day research.
However, we discovered that the perspective we see Zhuwei from and the questions we posed to the locals here are new perspective that they have not seen. I suppose this is the plus point of intercultural exchange.
在這短短八天的採訪与拜訪，我們不敢說我們已經認識和了解竹圍的人文歷史与生態。
我們在竹圍工作室 駐村 的活動下只有三十天。這三十天所做出來的成品，算是个起點。
在探討与尋找竹圍的特性過程中，我們認識了好多人。他們各有各的想法，各有各的特點，各有各觀目事件与生活的角度。我們的參與，帶給了他們多一個角度參考參考。
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