2021
Abingdon Studios
Abingdon Studios
L
Khairullah Rahim
Artist
Singapore
www.khairullahrahim.com
Title: boor-koo
Medium: video with audio on screen
boor-koo was developed in response to thinking about (l)ooking, (l)egibility, (l)ayers while functioning loosely as a (l)ookbook. The film’s title adopts the written vocalisation of domestic pigeons. The experimental short film looks into
the tactics of visibility, specifically in considering the interconnecting e/affects between objects, bodies and community. The film features a monologue in the
artist’ mother tongue, Bahasa Melayu, in response to the frequent mass extermination of pigeons that takes place in broad daylight. These operations were reportedly led by licensed specialist pest control contractors with approval
from relevant authorities. The film was shot entirely in Boon Lay, a working class neighbourhood in Singapore where he is currently residing. The neighbourhood is also notably infamous for reporting high(er) numbers in organised crime activities as highlighted by the local press. While many
associate light closely with notions of safety, there are also lights which illuminate more intensely on some than others. There is an uncanny parallel between the policing of pigeons and marginalised folks, whose bodies are constantly navigating and code-switching in between desire, ambition, shame and restraint under surveillance in a hostile environment.
Khairullah Rahim
Artist
Singapore
www.khairullahrahim.com
Title: boor-koo
Medium: video with audio on screen
boor-koo was developed in response to thinking about (l)ooking, (l)egibility, (l)ayers while functioning loosely as a (l)ookbook. The film’s title adopts the written vocalisation of domestic pigeons. The experimental short film looks into
the tactics of visibility, specifically in considering the interconnecting e/affects between objects, bodies and community. The film features a monologue in the
artist’ mother tongue, Bahasa Melayu, in response to the frequent mass extermination of pigeons that takes place in broad daylight. These operations were reportedly led by licensed specialist pest control contractors with approval
from relevant authorities. The film was shot entirely in Boon Lay, a working class neighbourhood in Singapore where he is currently residing. The neighbourhood is also notably infamous for reporting high(er) numbers in organised crime activities as highlighted by the local press. While many
associate light closely with notions of safety, there are also lights which illuminate more intensely on some than others. There is an uncanny parallel between the policing of pigeons and marginalised folks, whose bodies are constantly navigating and code-switching in between desire, ambition, shame and restraint under surveillance in a hostile environment.
