THE Observatory, an experimental Singaporean group of musicians, will pay tribute to Malaysia's mysterious caves, especially those in Sarawak and Perak, in their next major performance titled "Refuge".
Refuge, an interdisciplinary performance combining music, moving images and light, is one of the attractions at the annual Singapore International Festival of Arts (SIFA) 2024 starting from Friday to June 2 at various locations in the Lion City.
The group's lead vocalist and guitarist Dharma Shan said in a recent interview that Refuge is an immersive performance, which is part-and-parcel of their consistent explorations of self-expression across various artistic disciplines.
"We explored the caves of Sarawak and Perak for a few months in the last two years, culminating in this new work. The Observatory is a surreal encounter for both the performer and the audience, and it will take audiences on a journey into the depths of caves to explore the interplay between man and the natural world," he said.
NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
Dharma added that Refuge saw the band members descending into caves to examine the relationship between urban folk and the natural environment, and had conservation as a theme.
"The Observatory in its 23-year history has expressed itself in multiple ways from electronica to rock, always thinking out of the box and making sure all of its performances are different," he said.
Dharma added that besides him on the guitar, The Observatory also comprised his fellow guitarist Yuen Chee Wai and drummer Cheryl Ong.
"Refuge is a wordless performance that speaks to listeners by appealing to their innermost senses."
GUA TEMPURUNG
Dharma grew up in Ipoh, Perak, a city that is surrounded by lots of limestone caves.
However, he did not enter one until a visit to Gua Tempurung in nearby Gopeng two years ago.
Recalling his adventures with Yuen and Ong in that cave, he said that it was "pitch black".
"We couldn't see anything, it was as good as a total blackout of things around us," said Dharma who moved to Singapore with his family in 1989.
PERAK MAN
After Gua Tempurung, Dharma visited another cave in Lenggong, northern Perak, where archaeologists famously excavated the 11,000-year-old "Perak Man", one of the oldest skeletons found in the country in 1991.
"The experience inside these caves heightened our senses and gave us lots of musical inspiration," he said.
PHYSICALLY DEMANDING
Yuen, who is a fan of musician Ryuichi Sakamoto said that exploring the caves opened up a fascinating research journey for him.
"I have since become interested in uncovering knowledge of prehistory and the migratory routes of early humans," he said.
"Caving is physically demanding but wonderful. We had very knowledgeable guides."
WONDERFULLY ENRICHING
Ong said that their cave visits had been "wonderfully enriching", offering an escape from the urban confines of Singapore.
"Each step brought us closer to hidden caves, each with its own narrative waiting to be discovered."
JIMI HENDRIX
Dharma, who is a fan of Jimi Hendrix, started listening to music when he was 8.
Yuen said that he joined The Observatory in 2014, around the same time as Ong.
"Dharma roped in Ong and I at a time when the band was going through a reshuffle of members.
"But Dharma and I also go back a long way as we were active in experimental music prior to the formation of the group."
INDONESIAN SINGER
Ong first met Dharma and Yuen at a workshop organised by The Observatory's former members around 2011.
"We will be performing in collaboration with singer Rully Shabara of Indonesia, and the projections are in collaboration with movement artist Justin Shoulder," she said.
Refuge will be performed at 8pm on May 31 and 3pm on June 1 at SOTA Studio Theatre in Singapore.
Tickets are priced at S$48 (RM168).