Research Interests

Multi-Sensory perception of Space and Objects
Research into multi-sensory spatial design – studying and experimenting with user experience beyond pure visual. This has culminated in two series of art installations/ performances to date and forms the core philosophy of Cheryl Heng’s curriculum for the 3D Foundation Course at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) School of Art, Design and Media (SADM).

“Natural” Urban Spaces
This set of NUS final-year research focused on identifying and re-establishing connections on a human-scale with “Urban Nature”; recognizing its potential as “Chance Architecture”.

TEAbeast | 茶兽

A site-specific multi-sensory art installation in collaboration with Wang Wen Chih
Jun 2011, Chiayi, Taiwan

Who Am I? Versions I & II | 私は誰ですか I & II

Who Am I? Version I – An art installation and performance in collaboration withTan Kai Syng and Heng Whoo Kiat
August 2004, Tokyo

Who Am I? Version II – An art installation in collboration with Heng Whoo Kiat, supported by Ant
October 2004, Singapore

photo of Who Am I? Version I installation

installation live recording >>

“I am a hybrid of many experiences and chance encounters, born of a moment, build up of many moments…”

Through the sensorial puzzle of discovering ‘Who’ the artist is through sight, sound and smell, the participant is coaxed into discovering who he is… The installation of three beanbags suspended at different heights, is differentiated by the single “sense” each contains. The participant’s encounter with each beanbag is a personal one- by inserting his head into each beanbag whilst standing, sitting or kneeling, the acquaintance with the artist and himself becomes a very intimate experience.

The Grassland in the Teahouse | 茶室の草原

An installation-cum-interactive performance space
Jan 2006, Tokyo

drawings and photos of performance space

A Japanese-Mongolian experiential cultural cross between sight, sound, space and a mystical legend.

“If the Sea can fit into a small Seashell, then certainly, the Steppes can fit into a Teahouse. For it has been said, the humble Teahouse can contain the entire universe”

REBOUND I & II| リバウンド I & II

An interactive performance and installation in collaboration with Emma Lewis
July 2004, Tokyo

conceptual sketches and photos of Rebound I performance

Rebound I performance video | リバウンド Iの演出のヴィデオ

photos of Rebound 2 performance

Rebound I is a dance performance appreciation beyond sight. This is an experiment on a sighted audience; shifting the conventions of performance appreciation from sight to hearing. Two dancers, separated in space, adorn a black and white bodysuit of sensors triggered by the movement of specific body parts. ( head, torso, arm and leg )

 

PITCHBLACK | ピッチ・ブラック

An interactive installation in collaboration with Koyanagi Junji
June 2004, Tokyo

conceptual sketches and photos of Rebound I performance

installation live recording >>

Sounding out invisible territories. Inspired by the bat’s use of echolocation to sense its surroundings, the participant to this installation is challenged to be both emitter and recipient of feedback coming from struck piano chords suspended in space when hit by a sounding pendulum, the medium. Based on his own sense of hearing, the participant is asked to mentally chart out the positions of the piano chords like vectors in space.

Mediating the Port

NUS M(Arch) Thesis Project
May 2003, Singapore

conceptual sketches and models

Architecture Thesis explores the Singapore Container Port infrastructure as an alternative form of Urban Nature – hence readdressing issues of public versus private Urban Edges, where park and port are reconciled through a re-invented market as mediator.