But in life, what goes around comes around. A dozen birdcages with canaries are scattered throughout the room and attached to the walls. Canaries, those harbingers of potential disaster, warn us of the pitfalls of vanity and fame, because lining the bottom of their cages are newspapers with the same images on the walls. So today's news announcing a person's personal triumph is tomorrow's birdcage trash.
Baena's use of canaries also reflects the cultural exchange in coming to Taiwan. The small golden finches are native to the Canary Islands, a territory of Spain since 1479. Keeping small caged birds is also customary in Chinese culture, so Baena merges the two cultures effortlessly. Canaries are also bred as caged birds. These birds are unable to escape, which is similar to the plight of the contemporary businessperson or artist.
As an artist living in an increasingly corporatized planet, Baena points his finger, metaphorically taking on the role of the canary in the mine. He asks: "Is there not more to life than jumping on the bandwagon and molding oneself into a successful ladder climber?"
Art Notes:
What: Exit (Vanitas)
Where: Bamboo Curtain Studio (竹圍工作室), 36, Ln. 88, Chungcheng E. Rd., Sec. 2, Tamsui, Taipei County (台北縣淡水鎮中正東路二段88巷36號).
When: Until Sept. 23
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