About, Work


👋️ Hi, I’m Edmund Zhang, an interdisciplinary designer based in Singapore. I bring a playful curiosity to my work, imagining vibrant possibilities for the future.


2024

Silver Pride Lion Troupe


Silver Pride Lion Troupe is a culturally-fused active ageing program dedicated to promoting seniors’ physical, mental and social well-being through modified lion dance activities.

While many existing lion dance troupes already comprise seniors, they are usually long-time practitioners. What makes Silver Pride Lion Troupe different is the modified choreography and equipment which makes it accessible to first-timers who are seniors, and the shift from lion dance as a performative and ceremonial function to a vehicle for strengthening health and communities.

Awarded: 
Grand Award, DFA Design for Asia 2024
Platinum, Singapore Good Design Award 2024

Team:
NextOfKin Creatives:
Sim Hao Jie
Nathaniel Ng
Rayson Tan
Nafisah Abu Bakar
Kelly Boon
Sheryl Ang
Gracia Goh
Muhammad Haziq Roslany
Rodney Loh
Bridging Generations:
Lynn Wong
Kong Chow Wui Koon:
Siew Puay Lee
Leong Kwok Khuen

Client:
Lien Foundation
 

Background

 
The initial brief was to find concepts to how we can differently engage seniors for active ageing and present senior care. We landed on heritage as not only is it cultural, which Singaporeans can resonate with, it is also nostalgic, allowing us to activate memories of seniors.

Our hypothesis was that lion dance can attract seniors who are interested in the cultural heritage of Singapore, and especially male seniors, whom we think will be more attracted to this form of arts that they can hone. Lion dance provided a variety of roles and skills to suit elderly of different abilities, and is well-loved even across different ethnic groups.
 

Modifying the lion dance choreography for seniors


Silver Pride Lion Troupe uses a modified choreography, where the front dancer under the lion head sits in a wheelchair by default, regardless of his or her functional ability, while the dancer who plays the role of the lion’s hind will perform the footwork and maneuver the front dancer’s wheelchair at the same time.

In adapting the choreography, Lynn Wong of Bridging Generations consulted with 76-year-old Master Siew Puay Lee (萧培利), a 2nd generation disciple of Wong Fei Hong, also a veteran of the Kong Chow Wui Koon lion dance troupe, to develop a sequence that stayed true to the traditions, symbolism, structure, and formation of a traditional lion dance.
 

Hacking the lion head
for inclusivity


We re-designed a pulley and lever system within the lion head. This provides seniors with better control over the flicker of the lion’s eyes and twitches of its ears with minimal effort, an improvement from the conventional centralised string mechanism which is harder to operate for seniors.
 

Making low-noise instruments for practice


As practice sessions were conducted in residential areas, the team hacked the drums and cymbals to achieve a balance whereby the volume was reduced, but tactile reverberations could still be satisfactorily experienced by the seniors using the percussion.



Developing progressive training towards dexterity


Lion dance moves were deconstructed, then integrated into familiar “Chair Zumba” exercises that seniors already engage in at Active Ageing Centres, imbuing these regular exercises with new meanings and a goal to work towards.

It was a progressive programme, introducing the use of exercise equipment such as stress balls and hula hoops which strengthened their wrists and fingers. Exercises such as body twists, leg raises and arm extensions strengthened the same muscles the seniors will use in performing a lion dance.  



Prototyping and user testing


Leveraging on technology, we infused modern fabrication into traditional heritage. Through meticulous user testing with seniors and therapists across two active ageing centers - Fei Yue Active Ageing Centre (Holland Close) and Yong En Active Hub – we prototyped modifications aimed at enhancing user experience and minimizing strain for seniors.

Rapid digital fabrication, such as 3D printing, played a crucial role, enabling us to test a wide variety of ideas quickly.



Showcase performance


The pilot performance held during Fei Yue Active Ageing Centre (Holland Close)’s Chinese New Year celebrations was a resounding success, marking the debut of the Silver Pride Lion Troupe, Singapore’s first group of lion dancing seniors.



Testimonials from participating seniors


During six weeks of the pilot, male participation rates almost doubled (from 17% to 28%) - which was a demographic that the active ageing centers struggled with attracting.

Communities are also transformed, as the program had managed to engage with seniors from a wide age range (68 to 99 years old), as well as multi-ethnic seniors within the community.



  
© 2024 Edmund Zhang. All rights reserved.