Participant 4: Anonymous
(Completed on 21st February 2017, Singapore)

1) What is your view on IMDA and its classification?
I was terribly disappointed with IMDA’s action. There is a lack of nuance and intelligence in the way it carries out its role. The fact that the performance is being carried out in a theatrical space – and not the public – should be respected. The conflation of categories (public space versus performance space, nudity versus art, free will versus public interest) needs to be examined. For me, IMDA’s classification system has no importance whatsoever.

2) How did you feel about IMDA’s denial of classification for Undressing Room, on the grounds that it contained ‘excessive nudity’?
Nudity is nudity. What is excessive if a man is already completely naked? Is touching excessive when nude? If holding hands excessive when nude? Do people not take off their clothes and hold each other every night? What’s disappointing is that actions by IMDA continue to hamper the growth of the arts everyday, stunting discourse and limiting minds.

3) What was your reaction to Undressing Room being withdrawn from the M1 Singapore Fringe Festival, after it was denied a classification by IMDA?
Extremely upset that the arts in Singapore continues to regress because of conservative opinion and outdated censorship practices.

4) Why did you decide to take part in the revived Undressing Room, despite the controversy surrounding it?
Why not? I hope to understand nudity… to have a new experience – as all good art promises… perhaps to see how “jaded” and immune I might have possibly become to the process of undressing with a stranger…

5) What were your thoughts or concerns regarding your participation in Undressing Room, a work that had not been approved by IMDA?
I didn’t feel threatened or uncomfortable about the non-rating, knowing that IMDA’s opinions make no difference to mine. IMDA comprises of men and women with little understanding of the arts. Their censorship board comprises men and women with archaic views. For many of us, the work does not violate our sense of well-being, merely expand our journey of self-examination.

6) How did IMDA’s decision affect your participation or experience of Undressing?
To a certain degree, it made me somewhat upset that the work could not have a robust and intelligent analysis publicly.

7) Other comments.
No.