Three-channel video installation, 24:30 mins, 3 editions + 2 AP
Photographic prints, 65.25 x 116 cm, 5 editions + 2 AP [Acquired by Deutsche Bank]
Masks made in collaboration with Baelf Design, variable, 3 editions + 2AP
Installation photo: Matthias Schormann
The Moon is Wet is a 3-channel video installation that centres migrant histories in Singapore, which possesses a techno-nature that blurs the lines between artifice and the real. Through the three characters of the sea goddess Mazu, a Majie, and a contemporary domestic worker, the work looks at the fictions that the city-state has told itself, the unspoken that lies beneath, and the desires that surge through. Through the use of three languages, Cantonese, Hokkien and Indonesian, as well as the intermingling of song, poetry, and dialogue, The Moon is Wet is a call for spectral kinship that frees the imagination and ideas of belonging for those in the margins.
The Moon is Wet was commissioned by Deutsche Bank Art and Culture for the occasion of Make a travel deep of your inside, and don’t forget me to take, a solo exhibition presented at PalaisPopulaire as part of the Artist of the Year 2025 prize.
Producer: Sophia Sim
Director of Photography: Looi Wan Ping
Editor: Monica Vanesa Tedja
Cast:
| Mazu - Doreen Toh | ||
| Ma Jie Voiceover - Ng Mun Poh | ||
| Ma Jie 1 - Lim Shi-An | ||
| Ma Jie 2 - Tan Xin Yen | ||
| Herself - Monic | ||
| Friends - Ubi, Cino, Civirgo | ||
| PRODUCTION | ||
| Camera Assistant & Data Wrangler | Clyde Kam | |
| Gaffer | Circle Chan | |
| Grip | Joellyn Toh | |
| Additional Grips | Vivienne Chong | |
| Thandy Tan | ||
| Sound Recordist | Nikki Koh | |
| Costume Designer | Elden Zachery | |
| Mask Designer | Jamela Law | |
| Hair & Makeup Artist | Yumi Kassim | |
| Art Director | Yoko Seko | |
| Art Assistant | Rachel Ding | |
| Location Manager | Pek Jia Hao | |
| Assistant Director | Chuah Wei Qi | |
| Production Manager | Wong Xiao Xuan | |
| Additional Production Manager | Regina Teo | |
| Production Driver | Lim Eugene | |
| BTS Photographer | Giselle Lin | |
| POST PRODUCTION | ||
| 3D Animation & VFX | NONFORM | |
| Music Composition | Hee Suhui | |
| Sound Designer | Amelia Sai | |
| Colourist | Eugene Seah | |
| Titles Designer | XUE | |
| Bahasa Indonesia Translations | Azhari | |
| Monica Vanesa Tedja | ||
| Mayshella Clara Wongso | ||
| Sakinah Safiee | ||
| Riskya Duavania | ||
| Hokkien Translations | Doreen Toh | |
| Seah Jin Heng | ||
| Danson Ong | ||
| Cantonese Translations | Ng Mun Poh | |
| Charmaine Leung | ||
| Hokkien Migration Song Consultant | Ancestral Tongues | |
| Mazu Consultant | Seah Jin Heng | |
| Majie and Qixi Consultant | Lynn Wong | |
| Inter-tidal Research Consultant | Neo Xiaoyun / Untamed Paths | |
| Data Centre Research Consultant | Neo Yee Win | |
| Weaving Consultant | Lynelle Barrett | |
| Production Office | Momo Film Co. | |
| Producing Consultant | Tan Si En | |
| Senior Accountant | Gwendolyn Yeo | |
| Project Consultant | Martin Heller | |
| Art & Culture team, Deutsche Bank, | Britta Färber | |
| Frankfurt & Berlin | Julia Magnus | |
| "似是故人來" | "Karaoke Janda 7 Kali Mixdut KN7000" | |
| by Anita Mui (1991) | Remix of "Janda Tujuh Kali" | |
| Warner Chapell Music | Deni Record | |
| Lyrics O/B/O APRA AMCOS, LyricFind | Originally sung by Naya Revina | |
| SPECIAL THANKS | ||
| The Director wishes to thank | Dr Stephanie Rosenthal | |
| Phuong Phan | ||
| Ching Sia | ||
| Cally Cheung | ||
| Kevin Lee | ||
| Natalia Tan | ||
| AFSAR | ||
| Joella Kiu | ||
| Jo-Lene Ong | ||
| Xiaowen Zhu | ||
| Thian Hock Keng | ||
| Party World KTV | ||
| NParks | ||
| Faces Talent Management | ||
| The Producer wishes to thank | Ng Lay Lian |
| Sim Hock Kee | |
| Elaine Toh | |
| Pierce Sim | |
| Ezra Sim | |
| Lennon Sim | |
| Alan Sim | |
| Lau Wei Ying | |
| Iyla Sim | |
| | Maximilian Kupi |
| Ines Rieger | |
| Jeremy Chua | |
| Pony Ma | |
| Chris Yeo | |
For the exhibition, the artist wishes to specially thank: Sara Bernhausen, Viktoria Gere, Elena Lochmann, Toni, RT Austellung, Eidotech and the rest of the Deutsche Bank Art & Culture and PalaisPopulaire team, Seongji Jang, Sophia Sim, Martin Heller, Sarnt Utamachote, Mooni Perry, Christina Ko, Sun Park, and Hyein Park, Nguyen+Transitory, Shasti, Jee Chan, Mary Lee/Encounters, Dirandra Sandyakala, Bella Mehrnissa, Dr. Annette Jael Lehmann, Ming Wong, Jom, and Qinyi Lim for your generous support, advice, and your confidence and belief in me.
This work is dedicated to Mazu, the Majie, domestic workers in Singapore, inter-tidal life, and my ancestors.
Link available upon request.