As the year rolls in to a steady pace – a rather frightening pace actually given we
are already in March – I am heartened with the projects on the table for the year
ahead. This month we have a good dose of call for applications, residencies, seminar
papers and announcements of conferences…a comforting volume indicating an interest
to digest what has been happening during the past decade in Asia, one that is
stimulated through new exchanges and a desire for cross-regional projects.
Little has been published on this most recent chapter of regional activity – it is
hard to get a grasp on the sheer volume of new. The Asian Art Archive is perhaps the
most active in documenting contemporary art practice in the region, and with their new
premises and having just appointed a bevvy of new ‘researchers’ onto their team
expanding their site-lines beyond the giants of China and East Asia to include
contemporary activity in India, the Philippines, Indonesia and Cambodia, they position
HK as a vital regional hub.
Following this line of ‘documenting the now in Asia’, two seminal texts Eye of the
Beholder and Contemporary Asian Art Forum: Links, Platforms, Networks were
launched this month, and the Asian Art Archive have also announced they are about to
conduct a study of the Hong Kong art scene post handover (1997). This focus on
researching contemporary practice can not go by without also mentioning the Martell
Contemporary Asian Art Research Grant, which is currently up for grabs.
The speed of exhibitions, the buzz of commercial scenes and an almost vibrating energy
to ‘just do’ continues to ‘construct’ a scene that is Asia. It is vital we all capture
this history.
Welcome to the Asian Art Report.
TOO : SITE
Each month I profile a cool site. Well sites come and go and mostly they are just not
maintained after their initial cool splash. This month’s site is the contrary. On 20th
February Universes in universe celebrated its 10th Anniversary. Established by
Gerhard Haupt and Pat Binder, the site is published out of German and surveys the
visual arts of Africa, Asia, and Latin America. It is published in Arabic, German and
English and is a not-for-profit project. They also have a sensational resource on
biennales around the world and profile contemporary practice through their newsletter
nafas. Check out their website and subscribe to their newsletter – http://universes-in-universe.de/english.htm Congrats for sustaining this vital resource for a decade!
THE ASIAN PICTURE: EXHIBITIONS & EXCHANGES
“No system can give the masses the proper social graces”
Despite its terribly long title, this exhibition of Filipino artists which opened at
Sydney’s space Firstdraft 14 March, draws on the hottest contemporary painting to come
out of the current scene. Including Louisito “Louie” Cordero, Romeo Lee, Jayson
Oliveria, Manuel Ocampo, the exhibition will also include photographs by Poi Ocampo
and an installation by David Griggs – whose concurrent exhibition at Artspace,
describes his connection with the Philippines in a new film and installation.
Supported by the Ministry and Inflight in Tasmania, the four Filipino painters will
then head south to do a residency in Hobart. This is a fantastic project organised by
Griggs and an extremely exciting opportunity to check out what’s happening in Manila.
3 Young Contemporaries 2007
Valentine Willie Fine Art’s annual 3 Young Contemporaries exhibition introduces what
they tout as “three emerging artists from Malaysia and the Southeast Asian region –
young artists who are pushing the possibilities of current practice”. This year’s
selection is Angki Purbandono (Yogyakarta/Indonesia), Lena Cobangbang (Manila/
Philippines) and Sharon Chin (KL/Malaysia). I find it a curious choice given
Cobangbang, especially, has been around for sometime now – It is rather predictable,
safe curatorial selection. What is interesting of these three, however, is that they
cross fields from arts writers, and running artist collectives, art spaces such as
Cobanbang’s, since closed, Surrounded by Water and Angki, one of the founders of Ruang
MES 56, an alternative photography room in Yogyakarta and still currently the
programme manager. Showing until 24 March visit www.vwfa.net/ …curiously, this exhibition of VWFAs follows
Headlights 2007 the gallery’s annual group show ‘head-lining’ artists from
Malaysia and SE Asia – including Unglehrt Askandar, Siewying Chong, Eko Nugroho,
Geraldine G. Javier, Leongkiang Kow, Putu Sutawijaya, Manit Sriwanichpoom, Natee
Utarit, Perngfey Wong, and Mella Jaarsma – it presents more as a stock show with no
surprises. Closed 14 March – check out their web archive.
Angki also Cemeti’s pick…
Angki Purbandono is having a great month. As well as his inclusion in VWFAs show, he
has a solo exhibition at the Cemeti Art House, Yogyakarta Industrial Fiesta.
Angki participated in a year-long residency from September 2005-06 at the Chandong
Artists Studio, South Korea. Industrial Fiesta illustrates Angki’s perceptions
of how Korean society celebrates industrial progress. In Korea, Angki was interested
in exploring “what was considered important to be saved” and “what should be thrown
away” through the objects he found along the streets, which he recorded
photographically. He attempted to search for other possibilities of producing digital
images without using a camera. Showing at the Cemeti Art House until 1 April, visit www.cemetiarthouse.com
Lawrence Weiner at Para/Site
A coup for Para/Site – they will present Lawrence Weiner first solo project in China
creating a site specific text installation in this dynamic Hong Kong Space. A central
figure of Conceptual Art since the 1960s it is wonderful to present this work to HK
audiences. Showing until 15 April if you miss the installation you can still get the
Editioned silkscreen available through their website for HKD3,200. www.para-site.org.hk
Mohidin’s Malaysian Voyage
Latiff Mohidin, one of Malaysia senior artist and perhaps best known for his wonderful
‘pago pago’ series, has a survey exhibition of 50 painting this month at Kuala
Lumpur’s Galeri Petronas. Stretching from 2002 to 2006, these paintings will be
exhibited alongside works of poetry by Mohidin, and is held in conjunction with
celebrations for Malaysia’s 50 Year of Independence. On show until 11 March for more
visit www.galeripetronas.com
Primitive Contemporary: Asian Video Art
Due to the improvement of technology and proliferation of video cameras, anyone can
shoot. This exhibition intends to bring video art back to using low tech techniques,
using freehand drawings, handmade frames and other simple media as the core idea of
their work and a comment on contemporary practice. The 8th Asian Video Art Exhibition
Series is showing until 28 March at Hong Kong’s infamous Cattle Depot Artist Village.
For more visit Artist Commune www.artist-
commune.com
Filipinos Abroad
During March directors of the institution Green Papaya Art Projects, Norberto “Peewee”
Roldan and Donna Miranda will head to Malaysia’s Rimbun Dahan where Donna will
particpate in a 3-month choreographer residency. Charlie Co, another Visayan artist,
is in Beijing this month painting up a storm during a six residency hosted by Osage
Gallery. This new body of work will be shown in Osage HK in May.
Long March – how can you keep track?
The more I hear from Beijing the more I realize you only ever skim the tip of the
iceberg of this dynamic art scene. During February the Long March Project opened its
“Yan’an Project Retrospective” – the entire documentation including original works and
works in progress will be shown at the 798 Art District, where they also launched
their Yanchuan Country Folk Art Education 3-year initiative. Long March’s
proliferation is exhausting! Remember you can catch a good representation of the Long
March Project at this year’s APT5 or you can subscribe to their e-newsletter www.longmarchspace.com
Re-view: Pasan-Masid
The Cultural Center of the Philippines presents the “TutoK Karapatan Project RE-VIEW:
Pasang-Masid”, a site-specific exhibit that utilizes the collections, archives and
resources of the CCP as an examination/visual scrutiny of the intricate workings of
culture, power and politics. This scrutinizing and appropriation from past exhibits,
along with interventions by contemporary artists as a way of reclaiming and asserting
community initiatives in art practice, it a particularly potent comment on Filipino
art history – the CCP effectively the salon or site of government endorsement. This
project is curated by Noel Soler Cuizon and Karen Ocampo Flores, with Patrick Flores
as project consultant and writer and it an initiative of Tutok, a group of Filipino
activist artists. Showing until 1 April.
REMOTE/CONTROL – Interactive and Multimedia Art
This exhibition curated by Ella Liao and Wenny Teo for The Museum of Contemporary Art
Shanghai, investigates of the presence of technology in contemporary art today, and
how it has changed the way we view art. Including interactive multimedia and video
installations by international and Chinese artists, the exhibition plays with the
physical space, and our perceptions of fantasy and control in a ‘technological world’.
Including B6, Zhenjun Du, Yan Gong, Jieming Hu, (Group) Island 6, Jiangbo Jin,
Shihyung Ku, Hungchih Peng, and Tao Song, showing uuntil 20 April, visit www.mocashanghai.org
Six Quick Picks:
If you are in Hong Kong be sure to visit Osage Kwun Tong for their exhibition
Chinese Whispers showing through 5 May. It is the quintessential overview of
contemporary Chinese Art from this powerhouse, Osage. And if you are in Jakarta, check
out Art Seasons, again another regional conglomerate. They are showing Zhu Wei this
month until 1 April. The exhibition will then travel to their Singapore space in June.
Visit www.artseasons.com.sg And if you are
in New Delhi be sure to swing by Gallery Nature Morte. They are presenting a solo of
Rashid Rana’s work “Reflected Looking” including installation, photography and video.
If you can’t get to India, you can catch Rana work in this year’s APT5. Visit: www.naturemorte.com Another Indian institution,
Subodh Gupta is having a solo exhibition at Bodhi Art Mumbai until 31 March. Called
Start. Stop visit their website www.bodhiart.in Gupta has hit record values on the auction market
over the past year. And the fifth pick this month: Capitali-Sing! by Jevijoe
B.Vitung at Finale Art Gallery Manila. Vitung investigates stardom as the center stage
of late capitalism. This exhibition at Finale literally becomes stage, a spectacular
coliseum where “extreme make over” in front of camera turns to a “coping” mechanism.
Showing until 27 March www.finaleartfile.com And number six is undoubtedly the ultra hot works of Hiroyuki Matsuura and Cao Fei
at the Tokyo Gallery Www.tokyo-gallery.com
and Huang Zhiyang’s bamboo boat forms at Pekin Fine Arts Co Ltd, Beijing www.pekinfinearts.com – check it out.
From Bollywood to Atul Dodiya
Atul Dodiya’s series of 24 paintings, Saptapadi: Scenes from Marriage (Regardless)
, produced during 2003-06 are a humorous take on the institution of marriage in
India from Bollywood spectacular, global popular and traditional idioms. Using a
pastiche of images and styles, it is a witty, and critical, comment on a changing
India. Atul Dodiya pulls in everyone from Bill and Hilary Clinton, actress Sridevi,
Bindu and Madhavi Mukherjee, Bhupen Khakhar and even his artist wife Anju Dodiya, his
ability to grand narratives with political and private mythologies, his global
reputation with the idioms of Indian picture-narration is sensational. Showing at
Vadehra Art Gallery, New Delhi until 24 March Website: www.vadehraart.com
Punkasila CD Launch and Exhibition
Australian artist Danius Kesminas has written for this column before. Based in
Yogyakarta, his performance group/band “Punkasila” launched a new CD Acronym Wars this month at Kedai Kebun Forum (KKF), alongside an exhibition “Conspicuous
Objects” of the group’s artworks. This project is co-organized with Darren Knight
Gallery, Sydney.
WORM HOLE to where?
Tokyo’s space magical ARTROOM presents an exhibit by ‘upcoming’ artists this month
called WORM HOLE episode “MIHOKANNNO”. The exhibition is really just a way to announce
the formation of their group ‘Mihokannno’, as their press release says, “The members
of magical ARTROOM has selected the artists who suite the magical’s manifesto. This
exhibition is not simply a group show, rather, it is an installation show carefully
curated to create the ‘magical’ as one.” What decade are we in? The “MIHOKANNO”
project began when Soujirou Matsubara started offering his studio space in Yokohama to
his contemporaries. The group continued to stay active, creating art booklets. The
focus of the show is Yosuke Bandai’s photography, Cobra’s motion graphics, and Saeka
Enokura’s 2D as well as 3D works. Showing until 29 March Website: www.magical-artroom.com
Shilpa Gupta’s Recent Works
Sakshi Gallery, in collaboration with Apeejay Media Gallery New Delhi, have an
exciting group of five recent work by Shilpa Gupta across installation, video,
interactive media and net-based works. The show presents the artist’s ambitions that
are not only technology oriented but also have a strong political stance. “A guerrilla
tactician, she emplaces her works at the blurred edge where new-media art bleeds into
the culture of everyday life. Gupta works are designed to be activated like wi-fi
hotspots, invisible zones that allow your internet connections to snap into life in a
coffee bar or an airport lounge. While taking a brief walk down a corridor in the
gallery, you trip on a sensor and are assailed by a disembodied voice making racial
slurs. Browsing casually through a religion website, you may trigger off an array of
gun-toting monks with ritual instructions, clones of the artist flashing like runtime
errors. Turning a corner in a bookstore, you might find yourself in a shop selling
takeaway kidneys. Pooja Sood, the curator of Apeejay Media Gallery says, “Shilpa
Gupta, one of the talented artists of the younger generation from India, employs
technology to engage the viewer through the provocative and interrogative dimensions
of conceptual art. While asking the audience to participate in her works, she often
questions the whole theoretical framework of an art object. In her solo exhibition at
AMG, the artist explores religion, globalization and the complex cultural and
political dynamics of the Internet. .” (source: press release) For more, visit www.sakshigallery.com
Raw/Rare
Bangkok space, 100 Tonson Gallery, has an interesting show this month – a solo by the
young Thai artist Pichaya Khunnawat. Raw/Rare, or ‘critical’ in Thai, explores
the extortion and complexity in dealing with the issue of money and how that reflects
what is happening in contemporary Thai society. The exhibition pose timely questions
through his paintings on paper and 3-dimensional works – a brave move for a young
artist. Showing until 6 May visit www.
100tonsongallery.com
Press Statement on the banning of Apa Khabar Orang Kampung
“Artis Pro Activ (APA) unreservedly condemns the Malaysian Film Censorship Unit’s
decision to ban director Amir Muhammad’s documentary film Apa Khabar Orang
Kampung (Village People Road Show) which documents the lives of former Malay
Muslim Communist Party Malaya members. The film was submitted to the Censorship Unit
on January 18th 2007 and a decision made on February 12th. In a letter to Amir the
Unit gives seven reasons for the banning of the film. Among the reasons given were
that the film put forth the perspective that the Communist struggle was a just one,
that the Malaysian government was unjust in not acknowledging the Communist struggle,
the film was critical of the Malaysian government and it compares the Communists to
early Malay heroes. This ban contravenes Article 10 of the Malaysian Federal
Constitution which guarantees freedom of expression. In any democracy the right to a
different point of view is fundamental. A country cannot call itself a democracy and
demand that all its citizens share a singular, official point of view. It is through
healthy debate that we grow as a nation. That if 50 years after independence we cannot
discuss our history then Malaysia is not an adult democracy but one still crawling out
of the cradle. Ministry of Information speaks of developing the local film industry,
yet decisions such as this are a setback and a threat to a fledging film industry. APA
is a non-political group of people from the arts community, which was established in
1998. We believe that the arts community needs to come together to play a more pro-
active role in developing a more open society for our country.” (source: www.kakiseni.com)
Navins of Bollywood
Navin Rawanchaikul is an artist searhing his identity in a global world. With an
Indian father born in Lamphang and mother, Hindu Punjabi, living and working between
Chiang Mai and Fukuoka, Japan, with his Japanese wife and son – this installation and
film portrays Navin searching and meeting people with the same name, other Navins. The
film features the Bollywood song-and-dance cinema and is presented by Tang Gallery,
Bangkok until 20 April visit www.tanggallery.com
Loop
The exhibition Loop gathers together the current residency artists from Taiwan,
Australia, the United States and Japan. Bringing together five artists working in
various mediums, including Australian artist Megan Keating, interacting across
projects, creating a continuous ‘loop’ or engagement with local culture and found
objects. Keating has created two 1,300 cm long banners, hanging on the outer walls of
Taipei Artist Village, using cuttings and patterns from Taiwanese culture in black
rubber placed in a doorway, plus a performance work. Supervised by the Department of
Cultural Affairs of the Taipei City Government and organized by Taipei Culture
Foundation and Taipei Artist Village. Participating artists include William Attaway,
Megan Keating, Tetsushi Higashino, Hsinchien Huang, Yuki Okumura. Showing at Barry
Room, Taipei Artist Village until 8 April. Website: www.artistvillage.org
A first for STPI
Ghada Amer and Reza Farkhondeh are currently doing a joint-residency at the Singapore
Tyler Print Institute – a first for STPI to extend the creative dialogue working
collaboratively with two artists. It is also a fist for Amer and Farkhondeh, who in
the past have worked under the tag RFGA with complete authorship lying with Amer.
This exciting body of prints is the first project in which they are formally
collaborated. The results will be exhibition at STPI in January 2008. Visit www.stpi.com.sg
Westpac’s having a Singapore Fling
During March Singapore will host the Australia Westpac Arts Festival including
performance, literature and visual arts events. For programming visit www.australia.org.sg. Red Dot Gallery will show the
paintings from the Mount Liebig (Watiyawanu) Community, including Ngoia Pollard
Napaltjarri, Lilly Kelly Napangardi and Wentja Napaltjarri, winner of the prestigious
Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award in 2006. Not part of
the program, but also included in a group exhibition this month in Singapore is
Victoria Cattoni, in the exhibition “Objects & Desire” at NUS Museum until 30 April www.nus.edu.sg/museum
ASIAN ARTISTS ABROAD
There are some major exhibition abroad this month for Asian artists, so many it is
maddening to list all of them. To steer you in the right direction should the interest
percol a response:
Made in China at the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, Humlebaek, Denmark
presents around one hundred works from one of the world’s biggest collections of
contemporary Chinese art, the Estella Collection opening 16 March through 5 August.
They have an exciting program of talks and Chinese performance art. Visit their
website: www.louisiana.dk
AIC Trans Siberian Experience – the contemporary galleries of The Art Institute
of Chicago is showing the video installation Trans Siberian Amazons (2004), a
story about two Kyrgyz women hauling goods back and forth between Central Asia and
China on trains. Showing through May.
IL LEE: Ballpoint Abstractions at the San Jose Museum of Modern Art, California
is a sensation mid-career survey spanning three decades of working in New York City.
Showing until 8 July, visit www.sjmusart.org
Celebrating a Century 1907 – 2007: The Japan Society in New York
This is the first major exhibition to be held in the United States in more than three
decades of Japanese (zen) and Chinese (Chan) Buddhist art, featuring rare loans from
Museum and private collections in Japan, North America and Europe. Awakenings: Zen
Figure Painting in Medieval Japan, opens at the Japan Society in New York 28 March
through 17 June.
First European retrospective of Nam June Paik
The first retrospective exhibition in Europe dedicated to Nam June Paik since his
death in January 2006, Nam June Paik y Corea: De lo Fantastico a lo Hiperreal
showing until 20 May at the Telefonica Foundation in Madrid. visit www.telefonica.es/fundacion
Perspectives: Simryn Gill
Simryn Gill is having her first major exhibition in the United States, showing at the
Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC until 29 April, Perspectives includes
three works which were created between 1992 and 2006. Visit www.asia.si.edu/exhibitions/
current/SimrynGill.htm
Elastic Taboo: Korean Contemporary Art
Korea’s rapid transformation from a rural community to an urban shaped world exhibits
contrasts between Zen Buddhist affinity for abstraction and minimalism and the chaos
of an eclectic apotheosis of kitsch. Elastic Taboos assembles a broad spectrum
of works by artists across generations and that have never been shown together. The
assortment consists of a large range of opposites such as the ironically “informal”
piece by Lee Kang-so, who has a floor painting done by a live rooster, juxtaposed to
the rotating sculpture by young artist Lee Seulgi entitled Dokebi: balls
attached to the piece by strings hit the sculpture like a Buddhist monk working his
wooden gong. The gameboy soundtrack composed by Bubblyfish (aka Kim Haeyoung) provides
a background for several monochrome works by Park Seo-bo and spreads a discrete
musical fragrance across the space. Curated by Franck Gautherot and Seungduk Kim
“Elastic Taboo” is showing until 10 June at Kunsthalle wien, Vienna, Austria, visit www.kunsthallewien.at
Central Asian Project
Central Asian Project is a collaborative exchange organised by Cornerhouse, SPACE
(London), and AsiaArt+ (Almaty, Kazakhstan) dedicated to forging new links between the
UK and Central Asia. Encompassing exhibitions, artist residencies and cultural
exchange, the project aims to increase communication and cultural understanding. For
more on the current exhibition and film screenings visit www.spacestudios.org.uk
Ma Yong Feng – Production
The work of Ma Yong Feng relates to aspects of animal culture. Taking the role of an
anthropologist, Ma will research our impulse to cage and categorise as a basis of his
investigation into the changing relations of natural history to post-colonial British
Culture. Production is a new residency scheme that is a collaboration between
Chinese Arts Centre in Manchester and ArtSway in Sway, Hampshire (UK), providing an
artist an opportunity to discuss this relationship within the confines of a split-site
(urban/rural) 5 month Artists Residency. After spending 3 months at Chinese Arts
Centre the artist will go on to ArtSway where they will spend a further 2 months
preparing work for an exhibition commencing late July through August 2007. Ma
commenced his residency in late February. For more Visit www.chinese-arts-centre.org
Exquisite Crisis and Encounters
On 30 April 1992, a satellite operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration began transmitting an image of an unusual heat source emanating from
Southern California. This heat source…was as hot as the Mount Pinatubo eruption of
1991 in the Philippines…[and] was attributed to the fact that “an average of three
new fires were started each minute during the three hours preceding the image.” from
Min Hyoung Song’s Strange Future: Pessimism and the 1992 Los Angeles Riots. The Asian/
Pacific/American Institute, New York University, presents a new exhibition curated by
Yong Soon Min deploying as a point of departure, the Dadaist/Surrealist game of the
Cadavre Exquis (Exquisite Corpse), and with this year marking the 15th anniversary of
the L.A. civil conflagration of 1992, the works in the exhibition pursue the necessary
dialogue about the richness and tensions that characterize cosmopolitan contact zones.
Dubbed the first “multicultural riot,” this event offers sobering, cautionary lessons
that have yet to be fully understood or confronted, especially for a new generation
for whom this event is already “history”, this project aims to keep this history
“real”. The exhibition title suggests an embedded understanding that every crisis
presents an opportunity for coalescing an acute desire to affect change. (excerpts
from press release) This is a huge group exhibition – for participating artists visit
www.apa.nyu.edu. Showing in New York until 31
May.
RESIDENCIES: NEWS & GRABS
Call for Submissions: Residency at ARCUS Studio
The ARCUS studio in Ibaraki, Japan, is calling for submissions from emerging artists
in their late twenties or thirties for a residency in late August through mid-December
2007 – rather specific! The ARCUS Project is organized by the Ibaraki Prefectural
Government and with a focus on nurturing grounds for international exchange in the
arts as well as in the local community. To date, 62 artists from 22 countries/regions
have been invited to participate. Studios are available for a maximum of 4 months and
an expected 5 artists will be invited for 2007 (1 Japanese and 4 non-Japanese). The
residency includes airfare, production fee, living expense, studio, accommodation,
opportunities for presentations and publication. For more information and an
application form visit www.arcus-project.com. Applications must be received by ARCUS Studio on 31 March (applications postmark
dated March 31 are NOT valid). The final results will be announced the end of June
2007.
On Residency…
Malaysian artist Gabrielle Low found herself at Toul Sleng, among other localities,
during a one-month residency in Cambodia; Perth-based Filipino artist Alwin Reamillo
is currently in Manila on an Asialink residency working on a project with
‘traditional’ piano makers; NT-based artist Tobias Richardson will be spending three
months at Galeri Petronas in Kula Lumpur also with a $12,000 grant from Asialink Arts
Residency Program; and Ruak Lewis will be off to p-10 in Singapore also this year with
Asialink. The full list is still yet to be posted… why one might ask Asialink seeing
they have just redesigned their website?
Head north…
Just a reminder, the deadline for proposals to exhibit at 24HR Art in the 2008 program
close 30 May. Application guidelines can be viewed by clicking on ‘Exhibition
Proposals’ at www.24hrart.org.au. Why not
bring Asia to the Top End?
Call for Papers: The Body in Chinese Art
Following from the hugely successful Vital 06, a four-day celebration of Live Art by
international artists of Chinese descent, the Chinese Arts Centre is now planning
Vital 07. In addition to performances, Chinese Arts Centre is collaborating with
Liverpool John Moores University to host a two-day conference on 15-16th November,
which will explore how Chinese artists have used the body – historically and as a site
for contemporary practice and expression in Live Art. They are now calling for papers
– academics, critics, artists and curators are invited to submit a 1,000 word abstract
by 9 July. The conference will be conducted in English. For more, visit www.vitalfestival.org or email: cco@chinese-arts-centre.org
Martell Contemporary Asian Art Research Grant 2007
AAA is currently seeking proposals for the 2007 Martell Contemporary Asian Art
Research Grant. The interest in contemporary Asian art over the past decade has
surged with an increasing number of Asian artists taking part in major international
exhibitions, a growing art market and a mushrooming of art events and spaces in the
region. Despite these developments, there has been a lack of research and in-depth
writing, which is very important for the long-term understanding and healthy growth of
contemporary art in the region. The first of its kind in the field, the grant is
thematic in approach and includes the collection of rare documents, original materials
and first-hand information on contemporary Asian art. Eligible applicants include
independent researchers and writers who prove that they have adequate experience and a
solid track record in research. Academics currently working in tertiary institutions
may also apply, provided that the proposed project does not overlap with other
research funding. For more information, please visit: www.aaa.org.hk/newsletter.html#news371. Deadline for
proposals: 30 April 2007
Call for Submissions: OK.VIDEO MILITIA
The OK.Video biannual Jakarta International Video Festival was established in 2003 by
Ruangrupa, an artists’ initiative based in Jakarta. In this 3rd OK.Video Festival, the
organizers will try to develop a collaborative work between the artistic team of the
festival with the participating artists in specific public spaces. The theme of the
3rd OK.Video Festival is “Militia”, which means to empower the civilians in an
organized way. In this context, OK.VIDEO relates this theme with the development of
video as the medium in society today. OK.VIDEO is seeking submissions for its Video
Out, Video Shop, and TV Scratching programs. For more details, visit www.ruangrupa.org. Deadline for proposals: 15 May 2007
Call for Applications: M1 Singapore Fringe Festival 2008
And just a quick reminder applications close for the 2008 Singapore Fringe Festival on
17 April. The Festival will take place from 16 – 27 January 2008 and the curatorial
focus will be on Art and History. For more, visit /www.singaporefringe.com
BAROMETER: BIENNALES, FAIRS & AWARDS
Contemporary Art Asia – Sothebys New York
March 21 is the date for all of you wanting to snap up your own sensational Ai Wei Wei
– head to NYC for the ‘Contemporary Art Asia Auction’. One of the highlights under
the hammer is Ai Wei Wei, Wang Xingwei & ding Yi, “Long Ring Tea-Table”, 2004 and in
Hong Kong on April 7, you can pick up Zhang Xiaogang’s “The big family: mother and
son” (160 x 200 cm) with an hammer estimate of US$649,000 – $909,000. Clearly
Contemporary Chinese Art is still drawing auction dollars. Check out the results
online at: www.sothebys.com
What was the best exhibition last year in China?
During February the Long March Space called for nominations for the inaugural 25000
Best Exhibition Award. Unlike so many things decided by committee in China, this
Award was to be selected by democratic choice, with nominees posted on the Hei!
Shehui! Website. A few days of voting remaining, the winner will be announced on 15
March. Be sure to check out their site for the best of China during 2006: http://hey.ionly.com.cn/mainframe.php. And the prize – 25000 RMB will be presented by the organizer, Long March Space,
for the winner to produce and publish a catalogue which documents the process of
selecting the four awardees, including archival materials and online discussions, with
a primary focus on texts and images of works from the exhibition. Different from other
awards, “25000” is not focused on the “award” itself, but the selection. Beijing
bazaar or bizarre!
Biennales this month
Victoria Lynn’s 3rd Auckland Triennial opened on the 9th March and continues to June
3, and also this month, the Bienal del Fin del Mundo (Biennial at the End of the
World) in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina opened. Next month all eyes will be on the
Sharjah International Art Biennial opening 4 April through 4 June.
NEWS: MUSEUMS & MOVEMENT
AAH Conference: Towards a New Age of Asian Art
The Asia-Pacific region has been at the centre of both economic growth and cultural
re-examination for the past two decades. Over recent years, a growing trend in
biennales across the region, have explored contemporary responses to this phenomenon.
The papers selected for this session focus on curators’ strategies and historians’
observations which help contemporary Asian art to be understood, and which address how
the artists have hybridised their artistic language within a modern ideology. These
papers will argue how the artists and curators have found the balance between
nationalism and globalisation in the Asia-Pacific region. The conference will be held
at the University of Ulster, Belfast and is hosted by AAN (Association of Art
Historians) from 12-15 April. Contact AAH to register.
Conference: Whose Museums are they Anyway?
The National Museum Bangkok with The British Council are hosting a Conference 12 – 14
March to discuss the challenges Thai Museums face in making themselves relevant and
accountable in the 21st Century. For more on the conference, email: mallika.iamla-
or@britishcouncil.or.th
Singapore Pavilion at Venice announced
Last column I heralded Singapore’s National Arts Council for its funding initiatives
reported in its Annual Report. This month, Singapore has announced their pavilion
participation in the 52nd Venice Biennale. Presenting new work by four Singaporeans –
Tang Da Wu, Vincent Leow, Jason Lim and Zulkifle Mahmod in what they are calling a
‘trans-generational showcase of contemporary art practice in Singapore’, this will be
Singapore’s 4th consecutive presentation at Venice. This year the Commissioner for the
Singapore Pavilion is Lim Chwee Seng, Director of Visual Arts, National Arts Council
(NAC) and the Curator is Lindy Poh. They have selected the theme Figments, Fictions
and Fantasies. It reflects the common thread among the four artists to explore myth,
imagination, illusion and altered realities, which arose from their responses to the
Pavilion site and the notion of the carnivalesque in Venice – one could be cynical and
note there is little imagination or altered reality in selecting such an ‘obvious’
group of artists, but then don’t we all!
Calling all pavilions
This year it is the first time that Macao has been invited to Venice. ‘Place / Space’
is the theme for Macao artists, drawing on their special regional location. Macao has
handled the process of selection in a curiously diplomatic manner – by open proposal
judged by a panel arranged by The Macao Museum of Art. The artist to represent Macao
at the Venice Biennale is yet to be announced.
ART Asia Pacific releases 2007 Almanac
The Asian Bible has hit the shelves – ART Asia Pacific’s Alamanac – wrapping up 2006
and setting the trajectory for 2007. Pick up a copy to learn everything about the
contemporary art scene from Afghanistan to Burma to Kazakhstan to Oman to Sri Lanka
and of course all the gossip on who moved, who did what, and what were the hottest
shows, curators and artists!
AAA is moving!
Hong Kong’s Asian Art Archive has finally opened in its new home this month – a much
needed expansion to house its huge resource library. Their new address is 11/F,
Hollywood Centre, 233 Hollywood Road, Hong Kong and of course, you can check in with
their resource library virtually anytime www.aaa.org.hk There has also been a
‘changing of the guard’ with AAA’s Academic Advisors – take a look at their website to
see ‘who’ is covering ‘what’.
Call for Materials on Contemporary Hong Kong
On the 10th anniversary of the 1997 Handover, Hong Kong researcher Wen Yau will be
conducting a focused research project on Hong Kong art during that important
historical period. The research will consist of artist interviews, producing
longitudinal and latitudinal timelines of related events 10 years before and after
1997, and developing a bibliography and collection of related materials available for
further research from the AAA by interested parties. Part of the research will
contribute to an exhibition on the topic presented by 1a Space in July 2007. The Asian
Art Archive would be grateful for materials that contribute to this project (physical
and digital) of related to 1997 Hong Kong art. Contact Wen Yau, Researcher for Hong
Kong via 97HKart@aaa.org.hk for more
information. (listing courtesy Asian Art Archive)
Future Prospects to Alab
It has been rumoured that the Philippines alternative space Future Prospects was to
close in January due to increasing rents and the pressure of development. But given a
reprieve on rent hikes for the next six months, they continue to operate while
exploring options. Meanwhile, Alab opened in downtown Metro Manila, the first art
space in an Intellectual Property office across ASEAN nations to provide basic IP
orientation to artists’ groups and inform Filipino artists of their right and how to
generate revenue from Copyright. The opening exhibition was curated by Mideo Cruz,
2002 Thirteen Artists Awardee, 2006 Ateneo Art Award recipient and heading the recent
Tutok artists movement for human rights against political killings in the Philippines.
Tan in Beijing
Laurens Tan returns to Beijing in March after a significant six months network and
making art last year. He will appear in an exhibition at the new HuiTai Art Centre in
Tianjin, and
and later in the month at 798 District.
Publication Launches:
Contemporary Asian Art Forum: Links, Platforms, Networks
Published by Asia Art Archive and International Art Critic Association, Hong Kong
Edited by Susan Acret and co-editor, Tricia Tang, this bi-lingual publication includes
responses to the papers given at the forum held in September of last year. Respondants
were invited based on being able to, at once, draw parallels, while at the same time,
highlight the multiple layers that need to be considered when looking at issues in
contemporary Asian visual art; as in the cultural exchange work of Michelle Vosper
(Asian Cultural Council) and Alison Carroll (Asialink); as in the negotiation of Asia
in the research and exhibition projects undertaken by Gao Shiming (China Academy of
Art) and Yasuko Furuichi (Japan Foundation); as in the efforts of Jay Koh ( NICA) and
Lee Weng Choy (The Substation) to open the access of culture to the public; as in the
conciliation/ resistance to local and global influences by Heri Dono (Indonesia) and
Noberto Roldan (The Philippines); and in the factors that must be considered when
running a small/medium art space in Asia in the case of Binghui Huangfu and Chang
Fang-wei (Taipei). For details of how to obtain a copy of the publication please email
Amy Chan or Susanna Chung on info@aaa.org.hk
And closer to home, John Clark’s new book was launched at Gallery 4a last week. Eye
of the Beholder: Reception Audience, and Practice of Modern Asian Art this seminal
text edited by John Clark, Maurizio Peleggi and T.K. Sabapathy are a distillation of
the conference papers presented in February 2004 at the Asia Research Institute and
History Department of the National University of Singapore. It is an important capsule
discussing transition and place within the frame of Southeast Asia.
