Too Much Too Empty 太空太满
2019 l Container Series l Solo Exhibition
Richard Koh Fine Art, Kuala Lumpur
In Too Much, Too Empty, the acts of painting and etching are enigmatic, leading viewers to question where their focus should lie – on the subject, the negative space, or even the physical material of the painting? This deliberate ambiguity is a representation of the contemporary socioeconomic phenomenon; it creates entry points for viewers to contemplate what is real in daily life and to allow themselves to be immersed in the visual and tactile experience.
Amidst this chaotic world of contemporary life and the digital age, feelings of loneliness are not uncommon; the tendency to keep to oneself and be detached from society. Too Much, Too Empty is considered the artist’s personal journey in overcoming this void and reconnect with his surroundings. Through the use of negative, an often-overlooked element in art, this body of works attempts to draw focus on the void one may feel in this routine world. The portrayal of familiar hollow forms encourages viewers to critically examine the contemporary socioeconomic landscape and one’s identity and purpose within it.
Amidst this chaotic world of contemporary life and the digital age, feelings of loneliness are not uncommon; the tendency to keep to oneself and be detached from society. Too Much, Too Empty is considered the artist’s personal journey in overcoming this void and reconnect with his surroundings. Through the use of negative, an often-overlooked element in art, this body of works attempts to draw focus on the void one may feel in this routine world. The portrayal of familiar hollow forms encourages viewers to critically examine the contemporary socioeconomic landscape and one’s identity and purpose within it.
Arcus 湧 l 2019Mixed Media with Etching on Copper116 x 86cm
Actinoform 撥 l 2019Mixed Media with Etching on Copper116 x 86cm
Funnel 鬱 l 2019Mixed Media with Etching on Copper116 x 86cm
Homogenitus 痴 l 2019Mixed Media with Etching on Copper116 x 86cm
Silvagenitus 蜚 l 2019Mixed Media with Etching on Copper116 x 86cm
Flammagenitus 騰 l 2019Mixed Media with Etching on Copper116 x 86cm
Cumulus 翻 l 2019Mixed Media with Etching on Copper116 x 86cm
Altocumulus 閑 l 2019Mixed Media with Etching on Copper116 x 146cm
Iridescent 散 l 2019Mixed Media with Etching on Copper116 x 146cm
Asperitas 波 l 2019Mixed Media with Etching on Copper116 x 146cm
Mammatus 沉 l 2019Mixed Media with Etching on Copper116 x 146cm
Cumulonimbus 巫 l 2019Mixed Media with Etching on Copper116 x 146cm
Cloud: Please Update The System 雲端: 請持續更新系統 l 2019Mixed Media with Etching on Copper4 panels 116 x 146cm (each)
“Cloud” provides storage for alternative imaginations of heaven, and in some ways, an instant comfort. Time here, will not be missed and space, is infinitely extended and inclusive. The finiteness of reality is solved, all while gradually moving forwards to immortality. However, updates are required. The irreversible progress of science and technology is a process of solving urgent problems while nourishing new problems. Change occurs at a pace faster than I can react to, and so the cycle of adaptation goes on and on, looping in a meaningless mission for anxiety and addiction.
“云端” 储存了人对天堂的另类想象，或者说是个即时的慰藉。时间在这里回荡不会错过，空间无限延伸包容，解决了有限的现实，正逐步向不朽迈进。然而，系统被要求持续更新。科技的不可逆建基于对迫切问题的解决同时滋养新问题，而变革总是以比我能反应的速度发生，最后出於焦虑和成瘾而落入一种无意义但求适应的循环中。
“云端” 储存了人对天堂的另类想象，或者说是个即时的慰藉。时间在这里回荡不会错过，空间无限延伸包容，解决了有限的现实，正逐步向不朽迈进。然而，系统被要求持续更新。科技的不可逆建基于对迫切问题的解决同时滋养新问题，而变革总是以比我能反应的速度发生，最后出於焦虑和成瘾而落入一种无意义但求适应的循环中。
Cloud: Please Update The System 雲端: 請持續更新系統 l Richard Koh Fine Art, Kuala Lumpur, Dec 2019
Capsule 膠囊 l 2019Wood & Copper Sculpture Installation210 x 120 x 60cm (each)
There are three capsules I refer to, they are: space capsules, capsule hotels and medicinal capsules, each representing the future, the reality and the space in mind respectively. Where we have experienced the limitations of space to accommodate physically, the space capsule has been filled by mankind’s desire towards the Universe. However, can there be a medicinalcapsule that fills emptiness?
“Capsule” is an installation made according to the standard size of a capsule hotel, combining the motif of the gallery’s wooding flooring and clouds on copper sheets, mimicking a wilderness sanctuary that blends into the environment, in this case, the gallery space.
Through this spiritual capsule created in the name of art, I hope to bring the viewer back to the physical art space. This is a work that requires one to be present and experienced by one’s full senses. I believe in an excursion that is not limited by the screen of an electronic device, where imagination may be the redemption.
胶囊所指有叁: 太空胶囊，胶囊旅馆及药用胶囊。分别代表未来，现实以及心灵。人倾向借科学解决空间资源分配不均，正透过太空胶囊将占有欲投向宇宙。在这种种开发填满同时可会有治疗空虚的胶囊灵药？ 何以越来越多的人趋向与世隔绝？
根据胶囊旅馆的标準尺寸而作，“胶囊”是供一人容身的最小空间。它从画廊地板延伸，有着与地板相同的木质图案，内侧覆盖了具仪式感的蚀刻铜皮云雾图腾，模拟出与画廊环境融为一体的类荒野避难所。
这是个以艺术之名打造的精神胶囊，一个需要置身其中并充分感受的作品。我希望藉此将观者带回艺术的物理空间。我相信想象力是可能的救赎，而只有参与现实并越过那细小屏幕，才能激发想像，圆满空虚。
“Capsule” is an installation made according to the standard size of a capsule hotel, combining the motif of the gallery’s wooding flooring and clouds on copper sheets, mimicking a wilderness sanctuary that blends into the environment, in this case, the gallery space.
Through this spiritual capsule created in the name of art, I hope to bring the viewer back to the physical art space. This is a work that requires one to be present and experienced by one’s full senses. I believe in an excursion that is not limited by the screen of an electronic device, where imagination may be the redemption.
胶囊所指有叁: 太空胶囊，胶囊旅馆及药用胶囊。分别代表未来，现实以及心灵。人倾向借科学解决空间资源分配不均，正透过太空胶囊将占有欲投向宇宙。在这种种开发填满同时可会有治疗空虚的胶囊灵药？ 何以越来越多的人趋向与世隔绝？
根据胶囊旅馆的标準尺寸而作，“胶囊”是供一人容身的最小空间。它从画廊地板延伸，有着与地板相同的木质图案，内侧覆盖了具仪式感的蚀刻铜皮云雾图腾，模拟出与画廊环境融为一体的类荒野避难所。
这是个以艺术之名打造的精神胶囊，一个需要置身其中并充分感受的作品。我希望藉此将观者带回艺术的物理空间。我相信想象力是可能的救赎，而只有参与现实并越过那细小屏幕，才能激发想像，圆满空虚。
...and we meet again. 回 l 2019Wood, Copper & Kinetic Sculpture8 x 30 x 30cm
I am used to counting down at the end of the year and looking forward to the future. And in the future that has arrived, count down the future. In fact, is the future the future? Or does the time not pass but reunite again? -- To 2020
習慣在歲末倒數從未 數來也許未來 未必抑或過去 不過
致 2020
Video Link:https://www.facebook.com/zelin.seah/videos/10157918131759962/
習慣在歲末倒數從未 數來也許未來 未必抑或過去 不過
致 2020
Video Link:https://www.facebook.com/zelin.seah/videos/10157918131759962/
Too Much Too Empty l Richard Koh Fine Art, Kuala Lumpur, Dec 2019
- Catalogue -
2019 l Too Much Too Empty - Solo Exhibition l Richard Koh Fine Art, Kuala Lumpur
- Media & Press -
The Star Newspaper, 15th Dec 2019Cloudy with a chance of Zen, interview by Dinesh Kumar Maganathan
ARTANDMARKET.NET, 2nd Dec 2019Spiritual reflection in the age of ennui, written by Sara Lau