Programme#16 [Harry Chew: Tara]

April 30th, 2013 |  Published in News

05/05/2013, 20.00h
Programme#16 in Granada.

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‘Tara’: presentation by Harry Chew, resident artist at The Unifiedfield AIR Programme in Granada. Harry will present his research process and materials for his upcoming documentary titled ‘TARA’.  This documentary follows Tara, formerly known as Marc Chia, in her journey towards the feminine spectrum. An experimental musician from Singapore based in Europe, she performs under the moniker ‘One Man Nation’.  Edited in a non-linear manner, Tara gives the audience a voyeuristic glimpse into the chaotic and often, heart-wrenching world of a transgender’s emotional and physical transformation.

Talk with Harry Chew and Tara x (One Man Nation).

*CLICK on the pictures to see them FULL SIZE

HARRY CHEW´S RESIDENCY AT THE UNIFIEDFIELD

The aim of Harry Chew’s residency is to further explore and document Tara’s life touring in Europe, her day to day activities and interviewing friends who knew her when she was Marc.  The wide spectrum of interviews- from gender studies experts to international artists to friends here in Granada- will further reveal Tara’s kaleidoscopic world and highlight topics regarding transsexualism and art.

At the end of his residency at The Unifiedfield, Harry Chew will present some fragments of his documentary Tara and use the opportunity to have a discussion with the audience present regarding the topics that surround his latest work.

What was misconstrued as a childhood fetish for cross-dressing, and after years of societal pressures, we see Tara, 30, finding herself at the crossroads having to embrace this dramatic change in her life; while continually transforming her art and music along with that change.  This new development of hers has also brought her to different parts of the world to seek collaborations (often odd and surprisingly amazing) with other transsexuals.

This documentary sheds an intimate light on the metamorphosis of Tara- from the prosaic to the metaphysical, from the subconscious to the stark reality.  Along with recorded interviews from male, female and transgender artists, sex workers and friends, Tara is a brutal and unflinching gaze back at society through a transgender’s eyes.

BIO

Harry Chew graduated from Ngee Ann Polytechnic in Film Sound & Video in 2002, and has been working with the video medium ever since.  While his day job involves creating and conceptualizing video projects for various MNCs and organizations with a fresh approach, he seeks balance and symmetry by producing and exhibiting documentaries, experimental projects and music videos.  With a keen interest in traveling, he has numerous overseas corporate and artistic work experiences from Canada, Cambodia, France, Germany, Holland, India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Poland, Shanghai,  Spain, Thailand, Vietnam and the United States.

Additionally, he has independently produced (directed, filmed & edited) two documentaries- Plunge and Switchbacks- with screenings in various international film festivals. Switchbacks has also received a best documentary award in Wales and a special mention award in Houston.

In April 2013, he was invited to speak at Reitveld University regarding his work and his documentary process.

The love for the medium has also inspired him to form the Dirty 30s- a loose collective of creative individuals who enjoy working together, on projects involving music, art & design and video. They have showcased these works both individually and collectively over the last two and a half years.

The Unifiedfield experimental art space. Carrera del Darro, 15, 2 dcha. Granada.