The Critical Dictionary of Southeast Asia (2017-present) by internationally acclaimed artist Ho Tzu Nyen (b. 1976, Singapore) is part of an ongoing project that grows, generates and provides critical insight into the pluralistic definitions of the territories under the term “Southeast Asia.” Born out of recognition for how sweeping the term “Southeast Asia” is, it considers what makes up an area not unified by language, religion or political power.

What makes Southeast Asia a unified region when it has never been bound by a single religion, language or political system?

Featuring an algorithmically sequenced montage relating to the histories of Southeast Asia, Ho Tzu Nyen’s 𝐶𝐷𝑂𝑆𝐸𝐴 (named so after 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝐶𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝐷𝑖𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑟𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑆𝑜𝑢𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑡 𝐴𝑠𝑖𝑎), generates a randomised iteration each time, creating infinite possibilities and perspectives that reflect the fluid complexity of a region so diverse and dynamic for any single narrative to contain.