Questioning the limits of discourse

Mr Tan Zi Hao, you Sir, are an artistic genius! Thank you for sharing your thoughts and art with us.:) 

I'm actually quite thankful that Dr Carmen invited him as our guest speaker for last week's lecture. Zi Hao's talk or session sort of gave me an insight of how much "freedom" is there in artistic freedom. 

I must admit that it is really frustrating that I can't understand art as much I hoped to. I used to think that drawing the Sun with equal number of 'rays' was a good enough art. Heck, I thought I was artistic enough when I used a sponge to give it the waterfall effect for my projects. What a way to burst my bubble then. :( I kinda owe my lack of creativity to my Visual Arts teacher back in high school. Oh, how much I disliked her classes back then. I still do,now that I think about it. She'd definitely talked more about non-art stuff than teaching us. 

Anyway, coming back to reality, Zi Hao was nice enough to share with us some of his works,works that were banned unfortunately. And I don't think some of his art pieces should be banned, I think they're pretty harmless (says the girl who doesn't truly understand art). Zi Hao's art work that was featured in Publika, then banned due to that one-word-that-shall-not-be-said, resonates with me in both ways. Good, because like he said, 'If God is everywhere, then He must be in toilets too' and bad because of an issue that caused a stir among the Hindu community few months back. 

        "The joy of dressing is an art. -John Galliano"

The photo above is of a model wearing a bikini with the Hindu Goddess Lakshmi. I do not see this as any form of art especially since the swimwear is often perceived as something sexual. 

This is a sneaker with Jimi Hendrix's (if I'm not mistaken) face photoshopped onto a Hindu God. 

Some may interpret it as God's protecting my path or He is within me, but I do not see it way, rather God is beneath me. That is just my opinion, but I kind of understand why that piece got banned. 

Among his other banned works that were shared with us were: 

• The Danger of Translation Lies in That Which is Left Untranslated (2015)
• The Soil Is Not Mine (2013)
• Classroom (2012)
• I look at you. You look at them. But they look at me. Instead of you. (2012)
• A reminder of a remainder. (2015)
• Xenophilic handshakers, xenophoric shellpickers (2014)
• Pengebumian (2013)
• The Endless Possibilities of 1Malaysia. 

Some of my favourites are The Danger of Translation Lies in That Which is Left Untranslated, The Endless Possibilities of 1Malaysia and I look at you. You look at them. But they look at me. Instead of you. 

As mentioned by Khai Lin in her blog, all artworks need context, otherwise it would just be an art for art's sake. Zi Hao's art has cultural context that is seen in pieces like The Soil Is Not Mine and What We Are Made Of. Holding pieces of culture and incorporating it into art is a context by the artist as an insider. On the other hand, as an outsider, what we describe, analyse, interpret and judge is only possible with the knowledge that we have in other words, the information in hand. Without the contextual information and explanation from Zi Hao, I would probably be as lost as a sparkle fairy among a werewolf pack. 

Also, I am beginning to understand the frustration felt by the artists when their message does not seem to reach the audience (such as moi). I feel bad and I really hope next week's trip would help me understand art better. I've certainly missed out a lot all these years. Serious rasa macam katak dibawah tempurung. :( 

Malaysian Art. Si? No?

First of all, I would like to apologize to Miss E for taking forever to answer this. :( 

On with the blogggggg...


What is Malaysian artwork?

Well, let me break it down. A Malaysian is an individual born in Malaysia and bears the identity as a Malaysian while an artwork is a painting, sculpture, basically anything that is created to be beautiful or to express and important idea or feeling. Hence, a Malaysian artwork is a masterpiece or work of art (get it? Artwork? Work of art? Yes? No? Okay.) created by a born bred Malaysian individual. 

What significant event do you think should a Malaysian artist feature?

There are plenty to choose from if you ask me! I would say any events that will certainly go down in history. For instance, the Bersih rally, the Lowyat Plaza incident, the overwhelming support by Malaysians for our gymnast Farah Ann, our current economic downfall, anything that would be burned into our memories as a lesson or motivation. Events like these ought to be treasured for not only ourselves, but for many generations to come. It is to remember the significance or purpose of these events taking place. I'm saying this because history as we know it, is being altered again and again and again in school textbooks. The baddie is shown as the innocent, nice guy where as the good guy is shown as the country's enemy. As Dr Carmen mentioned in her lecture earlier in the semester, 'it is easy to forget your history, when you don't know them'. 

Is it the responsibility of a Malaysian artist to create a Malaysian artwork? 

Of course it is! Who better to create art than those who have lived and breathed in this land?! :D 

That is all. 
Sekian, Thank you >.<