Seeking to map a new spiritual and social landscape, the Buddhist Bug project (bbug) by cambodian artist anida yoeu ali creates a
surreal existence amongst ordinary people and everyday environments.
the saffron-colored creature is an autobiographical exploration of the
artist’s reaction to a sense of displaced identity, as she was raised a
khmer muslim but maintains an innate fascination with the buddhist
religion. referencing both sacred systems, the nomadic, other-worldly
creature is lined with bright orange exterior skin — the color of
buddhist monk robes — and wears a head piece based on the islamic hijab.
together with photographer masahiro sugano, her creative partner from studio revolt, yoeu
ali has brought the bbug to cambodia where she created a series of
site-specific performances, inserting the coiled character into both
urban and rural landscapes.
 |
| the buddhist bug at a cafeteria |
the 30-meter long personality corkscrews through the traditional
cityscape, intertwining amongst the locals and their habitats, resulting
in humorous and dreamlike scenarios. ‘meters and meters of textile
act as skin, as a way for the surface of my body to extend into public
spaces, and as a metaphoric device for stories to spread across an
expanse.’, the artist says ‘for me, performance and
storytelling become ways of bridging the interior and exterior space of
self as well as initiate critical dialogues between communities and
institutions.‘ the buddhist bug project is currently being shown for art stage singapore.
 |
| in the cambodian landscape |
 |
| interacting with locals in their environment |
 |
| the bbug situates on a traditional boat |
 |
| the meters of orange skin represent the color of buddhist monk robes |
 |
| traveling through the urban cityscape |
 |
| the bbug’s presence in the environment creates a surrealistic scenario |
