A project by Zhao Renhui, supported by National Arts Council and Institute of Contemporary Art Singapore

The Land Archive (TLA) houses the collective memory of our landscape. TLA manages an extensive archive of documents from private memoirs, historical maps and photographs to oral history interviews and audio-visual materials, some of which date back to the early 19th century.

TLA’s repository of archival materials makes it an important research centre for those in search of historical information on a range of topics. The Archive also promotes public interest in our history through art programmes and exhibitions. Zhao Renhui will give a talk on 15th May, 4pm and a public tour on 16th May, 4.30pm.

"The Land Archive has a collection of beautiful images. They allow for contemplation of this void.. I like particularly those images that can mean a lot of things. Images that are refused a context, images that are of another time and space at any time. These images have ‘mileage’. They seem to outrun their supposed lifespan and currency. I have selected some images from the archive which to me are loaded with meaning and at the same time seemed to be removed from any context. The images allow me to have a space to contemplate if an archive of the land is really necessary." - Zhao Renhui