The Fake Show

The Fake Show@Reka Art Space, Kelana Jaya, February 2006. As I have conceived the concept of the show and created every work in this exhibition, I considered this as my first solo show; but it was publicized as a curated group exhibition with 9 artists+collectives who did works around the subject of fakeness and fakery. All the artists, profiles and artworks are my creation.

INNER REFLECTIONS #69 by Chua Li Khor

Dedicated to Malaysia's number one purveyor of exaggerated inner-spiritual expression: Jolly Koh. He is so influential in shaping Malaysian art, that many of us still believe that the only artistic expression is pushing some paint around and make pretty colours. Can't art be more than decoration? *incidentally, i still think the Apple Abstract screensaver looks like Jolly Koh's work.

PISS TAKE by Rizal P. Dasar

In contrast to Chua's whimsical spin-off, this is a more direct copy of Redza Piyadasar's work. I suppose I wanted to salute Piyadasar as the 'Father of Conceptual Art' in Malaysia, while at the same time draw this connection of Western art philosophy's influence and relevance in contemporary Malaysian or Asian art. While doing my research on Piyadasar, what I found weird was that Marcel Duchamp was never mentioned in any writings on Piyadasar.

T-SHIRTS by 1,2, Milk

Knock-off wondermilk stuff! I tried not to do a work directly about piracy, especially NOT pirated DVDs and CDs. But anybody can make t-shirts these days. And these guys promote DIY. So why not?

WOMEN REPRESENTED BY MEN by Annie Wan

I am not sure how many countries have beer advertisement posters like these? But its the best image of an advert I can think off which radiates fakeness. Its also suppose to be phasing out. So it might soon be one of those collectible items from the past. And I've preserved it in oil paint forever and ever! Hurrah to paintings! I would also like to make a note that this painting was commissioned to Nazim Esa.

STUDIES FOR PRODUCTION OF FRUIT by Britney Partiswarah
FRUITS IN A WOODEN BOWL by Celine Ooi

This was my way of dealing with the space. The gallery doubles up as a teaching space. A bowl of fruits just seem to be the most widely accepted subject matter in a drawing-class environment. Engaging with the same subject matter from three different perspectives, Partiswarah, Ooi (and James Ho's Farmer of Fraiser's Hill) focused on a single subject - the bowl of plastic fruits placed in the center of the teaching room.

By presenting studies and design plans of its models, Partiswarah acknowledged the manufactured quality of the plastic fruits presented. On the other hand, James Ho's series of photographs idolized the perfection of the manufactured fruits and appropriated it into his image of the stoic and noble farmer.

THE FARMER OF FRAISER'S HILL by James Ho

I think I have to highlight these pictures.. The work was suppose to be by an artist, James Ho. In contrast to Partiswarah's (wannabe) technical drawings, I tried to imagine other methods one might be able to 'produce' this object before us. Maybe I should believe in the fantasy that these plastic fruits were real, and re-create them in glossed over image of the working labourer. I particularly like this series. And it was fun working with (the real) James, and Nazim under the hot sun.

12.07.03 by The Anti-Corruption Avengers

Shot with a mobile phone camera, this video records an act of bribery between a traffic offender and a policeman. The true intentions of this conversation and its slight gestures are distorted in the translated subtitles from Malay. What we say is not always what we mean; and how we wish to be portrayed may not necessarily be who we really are.

CONTEMPORARY ART for SALE'S FINE ART SPECIALISTS

And last but not least, the 'fine art specialists'. I know its not a new idea for a performance, but I had to do it. Aren't they much nicer to look at than naked men splashing paint around?

From faking exisiting artists to professional promoter girls selling the show as 'fine art specialists', I think the subject matter was quite specific for Malaysian audience. Especially with the amount of piracy and counterfeits almost everywhere here. I was hoping to evoke thought over emotion.

At the end of it all, I am still not sure if it was an absolute success or a complete disaster. I am not sure if people got it. I think alot of them didn't care. But there must be a reason why conceptual art never took off since Piyadasar in the 70s. Idea becomes the art. We must celebrate the fact that we, above all other animals, can rationalise. The ability to think logically! Not surprising the show didn't sell. But at least inspire?