Participant 12: Anonymous
(Completed on 8th February 2017, Singapore)

1) What is your view on IMDA and its classification?
No particular thoughts and/or feelings about them. For me, IMDA’s classification system is not important at all, as I would just catch whatever that catches my eye.

2) How did you feel about IMDA’s denial of classification for Undressing Room, on the grounds that it contained ‘excessive nudity’?
This is a difficult question, for while I do agree that there had been “excessive nudity,” it was one that required this “excessive nudity.” For this had been necessary for the participant to experience those guilt, shame, embarrassment, intimacy and trust that could otherwise not be experienced. With my lack of understanding of how IMDA works, I would not comment on how IMDA should have classify this show, but we do have to understand that Undressing Room is not a lewd or sexual performance, and hence should not be treated like one.

3) What was your reaction to Undressing Room being withdrawn from the M1 Singapore Fringe Festival, after it was denied a classification by IMDA?
Anger was definitely the first emotion that I had felt. Disregarding the fact that audience was revoked of the opportunity to experience this performance, what had made me angry was the fact that an artist’s work could be so easily dismantled by a faceless figure. It just did not seem fair that an artist’s work could be so easily taken down, just because of a faceless person’s thoughts.

4) Why did you decide to take part in the revived Undressing Room, despite the controversy surrounding it?
Perhaps it was my way of giving honour to the work that the artist had set out to do. Perhaps to feel the vulnerability and other forms of emotions that I might not normally feel on a day to day basis.

5) What were your thoughts or concerns regarding your participation in Undressing Room, a work that had not been approved by IMDA?
No concern, really. I had trust in the artist to work within the perimeters of IMDA, even though the show had already been revoked from Sistic*/M1 Singapore Fringe Festival. Honestly, I have no feeling/thoughts about IMDA’s decision.

*Sistic: ticketing service

6) How did IMDA’s decision affect your participation or experience of Undressing Room?
Initially, I was really angered, as well as sadden by IMDA’s decision to revoke Undressing Room from the M1 Singapore Fringe Festival. It did not seem right that the show had been revoked because of an anonymous person who hid behind the computer screen had made some comments on it. This situation also reflected that the art scene in Singapore is still struggling to grow, for shows could be easily taken off just because of some unhappiness and unjustified explanation. In a way, this had made me more intent on participating on the show, for it was my only way of supporting the artist – by having faith in his work.

7) Other comments.
Nil.