The show is called "Spectacle - to each his own" curated by Gu Zhenqing. Exceeded expectation. Interesting and fresh works, mostly from mainland, plus a few international artists. It's not the "usual" Chn names. That makes it totally refreshing! Creative stuff, quite a few videos, new/digital media works. Can see "technology" woven into the works - use of PC screens, mechanical parts, etc. An interesting link to the prev MOCA show I saw on digital art! (Which I am beginning to think is a Taiwan strength - the integration of technology and art, given their strong electronics industry background - surely, that's what our next generation will find interesting!! Why arent there more work using these as "materials", and exploring the theme of digital life in China?)In terms of work, Jin Jiangbo's piece expressing the stress from constant online chats caught many's attention, esp the younger crowd. Peng Hung-Chih's leaning Jesus and Buddha piece forces audience to interact with the work, and make you part of the exhibition. Was impressed with Miao Xianchun's Microcosm - very rich, engaging, imaginative - I was in a rush but still stayed for the whole 16min length video. It's fascinating piece drawing inspiration from the famous "Garden of Earthly Delights" by Hieronymus Bosch. I have never Weng Fen's non photo work. His monumental (and giantic) "egg installation" with two half $100 notes (RMB and USD) made of all kinds of eggs shows the constant tension and negotiation between the two major world powers. BTW, worthnoting is the entry fee and the catalogue - only NT$50 to get in, and $10 for the catalogue! It's crazy. The catalogue is nicely put together, nothing fancy, but long-format, with a pin holding the pages. This really reflects badly on HK...how come we cant even do a decent brochure for exhibitions in MOA, for example? Printing in HK has got to the cheapest in the world. It just make a world of difference
Besides the works, what's caught my attention is who's also at MOCA at 1030am (I had to go early since I need to catch a flt back to HK). Lots of teenagers, prob high school and univ students. They woke up to get there by 1030am!! Museum is a Sat morning event! That's really special. In HK, when I go to any museums, it's usually a much older crowd. You do have whole families coming with their kids. But I have had more than a few where the kids were totally out of control, screaming, touching the artwork...etc. The culture of art appreciation, the idea that art is an everyday life event, is deep in Taiwan, and not in HK at all. The takeoff of the electronics industry in Taiwan has created a generation of wealth among Taiwanese, many of which took a keen interest in art. Many of them not just collect, but also sponsor performing art groups. When will we see sth like that in HK? Will WKCD be the catalyst, indeed?
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