Singapore is represented by one artist, Lim Tzay Chuen. In his wry work, the artist, whose work deals with intervention in real-life situations, proposed to bring one of the state's five Merlion statues (head of a lion, body of a fish) to Venice. Unable to receive permission to undertake this remarkable feat, he installed a M/W restroom instead -- sarcastically -- saying that art can still provide a function.
Taiwan's smartly installed Spectre of Freedom showcases the work of four Taiwanese artists -- Kao Chung-li (高重黎), Tsui Kuang-yu (崔廣宇), Lin Hsin-i (林欣怡) and Kuo I-chen (郭奕臣) -- under the rubric of allusive freedom.
It was fun to see many people wandering San Marco Plaza plastered with Lin's de-strike stickers. In addition, several people from Taiwan came to Venice to give out the newly established Taiwan Art Award funded by private individuals. Part mockery of the art system, this award also mimics what the organizers tried to criticize. While this project can be viewed cynically as an opportunistic free trip based on a simplistic argument, it can also be seen as a positive opportunity, as the large cash prize was awarded to the Afghanistan pavilion, thus creating future possibilities for the artists to continue to create. The award was presented to artist Lida Abdul in an emotionally moving ceremony.
Art Notes:
What: 51st International Exhibition, Venice Biennale
Where: Venice, Italy
WHen: To Nov. 6, 10am to 8pm
See: www.artecommunications.com
RSS