Ila, ‘Air Dicincang Tidak Akan Putus’, installation view at Objectifs, Singapore, 2017.
‘Air Dicincang Tidak Akan Putus’ means “water that is cut can never be severed”.
The exhibition “Fantasy Islands”, explores the multiple relations between Batam and Singapore. The idea of “islandness” as a staged event, framed by the concepts of borders and desires. Curated by Kin Chui and Mitha Burdhyarto who presented works by 7 indonesian and Singaporean artists. Despite close proximity of the two islands, there is limited understanding of both places.
What is interesting is the placement of the work in the exhibition (right at the opening of the door). Looking at the exhibition through the layers of glass within the box, it made me feel as if i am looking through a warped reality, immersing into the deep oceans of time and place.
Like the surrounding sea, the fishermen in Tanjung Uma strive to continue surviving even though their livelihood has been affected since the 70s, triggering a sense of loss in the artist. The work, uses objects that have accidental washed up onto shore, mirroring the resilience and pointlessness of the struggles against time and tide.
The context of what you already know shapes the way you percieve and interpret the work. Objects are symbols, the condition of the objects (new, old, clean or rusted), where it is placed creates meaning which gives value to the work.
In the glass box, we see used and rusted objects that appears as if they had just rode up the shore. These objects seem untouchable, like treasures that were hidden underwater far from visible eyes. One may wonder who does the objects belong to : Is there a meaning behind them? Or as to what symbolism it may hold. Is there even a belonging? Are the objects seperated by borders of Singapore and Indonesia ? The ocean runs deep and wild like nature, unconforming to the restricted “borders” of the islands. When nothing really seperates two islands, “borders” are only temporary and changes in time.
IN RELATION TO OUR PROJECT
Edgelands are interstitial urban spaces that is concerned with places of “otherness”, alienation and longing. Pushing bounderies within nature and structure.
https://m.facebook.com/SGArtWeek/posts/1868886593381776:0
http://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/arts/singapore-batam-and-the-ties-that-bind-in-fantasy-islands