Andree Weschler: Acts of Proximity

Andree Weschler is a veteran performance artist who has contributed to Singapore’s performance art history in the 2000’s. Her impactful, tender works have touched and inspired us to reach out to her for this project. Andree stood out to us for various reasons: as the majority of us had little experience in doing performance and are more visual artists, we were curious as to how to navigate and process our intuitions into body expressions, the way Andree expertly does. Our collective treated this project as an open dictionary to a new language since the early stages to understand why Andree had chosen performance art as a methodology, and her thought process through her artistic making. Another factor was Andree’s online blog, which we found on her artist website. She had been diligently updating it since 2004, as she reckoned her blog and her works like an open journal, she introduced myths, personal stories, and lessons that bloomed during her making. It was an intrinsic part of our admiration towards her as an artist, and additionally, her naturally self-aware, inquisitive character. Despite being French herself, we asked why she chose to study in Singapore, and if she identifies as a Singaporean artist despite not being born in this country. As more questions unfolded, so did our curiosity to learn more about her.As more questions unfolded, so did our curiosity to learn more about her.

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With Andree’s sudden departure back to her homeland in early October, the difference in distance and time zone made scheduling difficult to meet her in person. However, Andree reassured us that we had a week to connect with her before leaving, as she warmly invited us to the opening night of "Towards Happiness, Prosperity & Progress: Reflections on the Singapore Spirit" at the Private Museum to view her work. This night sparked as we went for the opening night witnessing her work alongside many other notable Singaporean artists, as well as experiencing looking at ‘Hairy Virgin’ up close. Her work stretched across a wide wall, a smaller picture framed in gold hung on the top left hand corner. Andree was in the MRT next to, who we assumed, a stranger. More questions arose as we approached the wall next to the work before us, accompanied by another wall filled with printed out emails pinned to it. “Failed emails to kings from across Europe” she explained to us, stating how in these emails she requested for her work ‘Hairy Virgin’ to be filmed/featured in these castles, in relation to the historical concept of the work. She told the myth of the ‘Hairy Virgin’ - a girl who was born with a hairy body. It was said that the reasoning for this was her mother’s act of gazing upon a statue of Saint John that was covered with animal fur - that her maternal imagination preceded the forthcoming of her daughter’s curse. In a way, Andree saw the potential of mythological stories and questioned its pretense - does one believe and embody the rumored story of oneself? Though Andree lightheartedly shared with us about her many failed attempts to request permission from these monarchies across the globe, she portrayed strength in unmet objectives, as the letters were evident of her undying resilience in her art making.

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In reflection of her other works, she demonstrated her determination and strong pursuit of resilience as she voiced her hardships in Singapore. When art spaces such as Substation closed, she shared having to adapt and finding new ways to perform in public spaces. In fragments, her mirror was broken after being transported to different locations, she gave a new meaning and life to the mirror by engraving on it. During her time at NAFA, when the teacher disapproved of her vulva painting, she still decided to continue refining her painting. In all her circumstances, she faced, it was her perseverance to display her art out of the norm and system that pushed her. Though she faced many setbacks and difficulties, she turned them into opportunities with a positive outlook. Either as an artist or person, she used her voice to push herself, to remain inspired, and to keep creating - is what overcame the boundaries she faced.

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Upon visiting the exhibition, it was clear that Andree played a plausible role in Singapore’s art ecology, as we saw her work alongside other notable artists such as Ezzam Rahman, Debbie Ding, and Robert Zhao. We grew interested in how Weschler integrated into Singapore’s art scene while presenting her work alongside other local artists in the recent exhibition at the Private Museum. After the event, Andree offered to meet up physically one last time, giving a tour of her old route to school, followed by a hearty kaya toast lunch. Once she returned to France, we continued to run interviews with her through Zoom calls. The idea of meeting up with her digitally inspired the concept of proximity. As we faced difficulties in time zones and wifi issues, we found a poetic underlining in our differences between time, space, and language. Speaking of art is what pulled us together, realizing that the film’s purpose is to have an investigative and intimate exploration of Andree’s journey. In choosing these specific works by Andree to recreate and respond to in our film, our collective was interested in the ways some of her works highlighted the usage of proximity in performance.

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Upon visiting the exhibition, it was clear that Andree played a plausible role in Singapore’s art ecology, as we saw her work alongside other notable artists such as Ezzam Rahman, Debbie Ding, and Robert Zhao. We grew interested in how Weschler integrated into Singapore’s art scene while presenting her work alongside other local artists in the recent exhibition at the Private Museum. After the event, Andree offered to meet up physically one last time, giving a tour of her old route to school, followed by a hearty kaya toast lunch. Once she returned to France, we continued to run interviews with her through Zoom calls. The idea of meeting up with her digitally inspired the concept of proximity. As we faced difficulties in time zones and wifi issues, we found a poetic underlining in our differences between time, space, and language. Speaking of art is what pulled us together, realizing that the film’s purpose is to have an investigative and intimate exploration of Andree’s journey. In choosing these specific works by Andree to recreate and respond to in our film, our collective was interested in the ways some of her works highlighted the usage of proximity in performance.