In this pilot episode of Nor’s Nusantara, we re-examine Singapore from the vantage point of maritime Southeast Asia’s urgent ecological and cultural shifts through her curatorial leadership as Founding Director of NTU Centre for Contemporary Art. We discuss her work with maritime communities in "Climate Crisis and Cultural Loss," highlighting her oceanic journey from the Pacific to Riau as expedition leader for TBA21–Academy's The Current, navigating climate-vulnerable Pacific archipelagos. In re-looking visual clichés of Southeast Asia, we discuss the centre’s artists’ residencies such as Robert Zhao, whose photographs of Christmas Island challenge stereotypical narratives of exoticism and otherness. His work offers fresh perspectives on regional identity and environmental care. When the seas are forgotten, we return to "Arus Balik: From Below the Wind to Above the Wind and Back Again", a project inspired by political prisoner Pramoedya’s book on the decline of Majapahit’s maritime power in the 16th century because they turned their backs to the sea. Curated by Ade Dermawan and Philippe Pirotte, it features Melati Suryodarmo’s Dancing under the Black Sky (2019), exploring Reog dance performance as resistance during Majapahit’s decline.For over 30 years of, she has curated major exhibitions; Documenta 11 with the late Okwui Enwezor, renowned for its politically engaged approach that highlighted diverse voices and social justice. She was also part of Documenta's Finding Commission with Amar Kanwar and Philippe Pirotte among others, instrumental in appointing ruangrupa as its first Asian artistic directors.Ute has held key roles at the Royal College of Art London, MIT, and Vienna’s Academy of Fine Arts. Her curatorial work includes the 3rd Berlin Biennale and the U.S. Pavilion at Venice 56 with Joan Jonas. Recently, she received an Honorary Doctorate from Aalto University in Finland.
