Exhibition

im very very very selective when it comes to attending exhibitions, but its a different case when it comes to assessment ( where i dont have a choice yea - which i will explain later ). Artists will exhibit their new line of work, months of creative process, time, effort and energy invested in them. Mind you few works can leave me feel good, made me stand there - contemplating for hours, few can drained me, few i avoid like a plague.

when you just want to HUG a work

catharsis - a important interaction between the work and how it speaks to audiences. But most of the time, exhibitions now is attended by selective collectors, curated - designed carefully by galleries to SELL. So galleries require to spend some cash on their set-ups, finding writers to add something substantial ( academic jargon, fluffy words) to make it more believable- more exclusive.

The more detached, more selective, elitist is better.

Rich people is weird too - if its too expensive, they will go for it, if it's too cheap, they get insulted. Funny right?

Then the whole set-up begin, invited only guests, mingling, expensive or inexpensive wine poured, a notable guest of honor need to do a speech about something and yes a hard-cover catalogue needed to be printed, signed and distributed. ( all of this need money ok.....so that is cost that the gallery need to bear )

SELL, SELL  

just like the media, controversial sells. anything to do that sparks a debate/ a hot topic sells. It can be sold at  higher price too in the secondary market, in auctions and etc.

after years of observing this schematic, formulaic structure, i NO longer attend galleries and exhibition.

Period. 

That is why i rather CHOOSE to attend student's exhibition - empower them to design it to an enjoyable gallery too -  it doesn't carry the vibes where you need to purchase something to make yourself feels good. ( imagine entering a shop and the sales attendant follows you ( eyeing you ) like a shadow and that is very annoying )

The works displayed just shows the results, progress of the a student. Lagi best. Lagi osem. Parents forked out thousands of bucks to educate their child, so to me - i felt that is important and my responsibility to ensure they know what they are doing.

dissecting an experimental approach of  Guernica

 
Making them AWARE of what they are doing.

Finding their VOICE.

when a work cheekily plays with you

when a work demands an explaination

when a class is no longer a class - a celebration of process

when a work says Hello to you.....

when a work talks to you....not the student/artist

Disclaimer : to all my past, present and future students, thank you - gua caya lu. Until now, im selective in becoming an external examiner too as i can sense student's pressure, nervousness ( pity them ) in presenting their work. Here is me busy assessing Zaky's toys in UniKL wahahahahha....