Marking Matters?
2023-2024
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Marking Matters? is a socially-engaged project first commissioned during Singapore Art Week 2023. It is a bold attempt by OH! in collaboration with Mit Jai Inn, a leading figure of Thai contemporary art to initiate social change through art.
A suite of 32 papier-mâché sculptures mirroring the forms of objects such as home ornaments, stools, and lamps have been finished in Mit Jai Inn’s iconic colourways. The assortment of sculptures make reference to bai sema: boundary stones used to demarcate the ordination halls of Thai Buddhist temples. In a similar vein, the placing of Mit’s “markers” are also a signifier of the artist’s presence, operating on a principle not dissimilar to the planting of a flag (or capturing of an enemy’s) to lay claim to spaces.
With a strong desire to have audiences think more deeply about the value and function of art within our cultural landscape, the artist has proposed a unique mechanism for the dissemination of these works: rather than outright purchases, individuals would have to volunteer their time to a charity or non-profit of their choice in exchange for the opportunity to collect one of them.
Stay tuned to learn more about our participants’ volunteering stories on our microsite launching in October!
Marking Matters? was originally commissioned as part of For/Against the House: The Museum is Dead, curated by John Tung; it was premiered on the same occasion at Tanglin Shopping Centre during Singapore Art Week 2023.
A suite of 32 papier-mâché sculptures mirroring the forms of objects such as home ornaments, stools, and lamps have been finished in Mit Jai Inn’s iconic colourways. The assortment of sculptures make reference to bai sema: boundary stones used to demarcate the ordination halls of Thai Buddhist temples. In a similar vein, the placing of Mit’s “markers” are also a signifier of the artist’s presence, operating on a principle not dissimilar to the planting of a flag (or capturing of an enemy’s) to lay claim to spaces.
With a strong desire to have audiences think more deeply about the value and function of art within our cultural landscape, the artist has proposed a unique mechanism for the dissemination of these works: rather than outright purchases, individuals would have to volunteer their time to a charity or non-profit of their choice in exchange for the opportunity to collect one of them.
Stay tuned to learn more about our participants’ volunteering stories on our microsite launching in October!
Marking Matters? was originally commissioned as part of For/Against the House: The Museum is Dead, curated by John Tung; it was premiered on the same occasion at Tanglin Shopping Centre during Singapore Art Week 2023.
Mit Jai Inn (b.1960, Chiangmai, Thailand) is a leading figure of contemporary art in Thailand. He is known for his colourful artworks that merge painting and sculpture.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Venue Partner:
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Supported by: Shi’ai Liang
Special thanks to:
John Tung
Valerie Nikolay
Pacific Eagle Real Estate
Projector X Team
All participants, friends & families
Special thanks to:
John Tung
Valerie Nikolay
Pacific Eagle Real Estate
Projector X Team
All participants, friends & families