Tag: Photography

When Questions Are Answers

“We do not have to stand in the position of the one who knows,
but perhaps stand in the position of one who questions.”
— Robert Blake

In a time of information explosion, it seems the best answer to any question is really more questions. From the perspective of the one being asked, the concern is how does one dare to be definitive when there is so much information out there? More importantly, a question opens up possibilities by continuing the questioner’s quest to learn instead of ending it, and also opens up a dialogue between the two.

This was the form of curation that Robert Blake, a former Chair of the International Centre of Photography’s General Studies Program, advocated at the Singapore International Photography Festival’s Curatorial Forum, one that was inviting and open rather than one that purely informs.

Such a stand can be extended to all works of expressions. After all, a question prods the minds of the audience to actively seek an answer instead of simply being a passive receiver. This engages the audience by giving them the space to create their own conclusions. It is this act of creation, of allowing the reader to decide, that makes a work gets “owned” and is more lasting because it creates a dialogue that could go anywhere. And it is also not forestalling the possibilities, the lack of definiteness in answers, that is the most exciting product of a great work.

This approach is grounded in one solution to the dilemma of representation today: that is how to embrace plurality. As Blake postulated, how does one look at history in less narrow terms so as to recognise the multitude of frames — colonialism, nationalism — that can and has been placed over it.

While the energy represented by such a vision is truly uplifting, one wonders how this could be abused as an excuse for vague works, the fear of engaging an issue head-on, or simply encourage an atmosphere of anything goes. That is the problem when one widens gates that were once narrow, you let in the good and also the bad.

Look at things differently

energyWith a flick of a switch, your room is light up, your computer starts up and your fan turns on, but have you ever wondered how that happens?

Energy: Portraits of Production and Consumption in Singapore attempts to put a face to what creates something that so many of us take for granted — energy. Out of sight of most Singaporeans, the production of energy through fossil fuels, waste incinerators, natural fuel and alternative sources is documented by photojournalist, Alphonsus Chern, in his first-ever photo exhibition at the National Library. The exhibition runs till the 15 June at Level 7.

While the photo stories may seem disparate at first sight, what is noteworthy is the translation of an abstract concept like energy to images that portray its industrial glory that hopefully creates a dialogue about how this country produces energy and its heavy reliance on fossil fuels.

energy1

Pages from the book Energy: Portraits of Production and Consumption in Singapore

Alphonsus is also selling a limited first-run of his photos in a similar-titled book (above) for $50 at the exhibition itself.

A different point of view

To further challenge your perspective of things, check out Matthew Ngui: Points of View where you are stretched mentally and physically to make sense of things by looking at them from, literally, a different point of view. This exhibition, at the National Museum of Singapore, is a curated collection of art work by local artist Matthew Ngui and is on till 29 June 2008.

Both these exhibitions challenge our perspectives of things. Matthew Ngui’s works put forth the importance of limitations to creating perspective. By forcing viewers into certain point of views, one realises how what may seem senseless at one point can be understood from a different point of view. It reminded me about the importance of limitations to the generation of knowledge as highlighted by linguist and political activist Noam Chomsky who went on to say, “…if anything could be possible, nothing would be possible.”

Tomorrow, it will be forgotten

I have a fascination with cranes and how Singapore is surrounded by so many of them today. Perhaps it’s this idea of how such a simple piece of equipment towers over all of us and moves so silently, cutting through the skies above as if waving a magic wand. They come and go just as quietly, never intending to stay forever. Such an ephemeral existence is contradicted by what is left after it goes, a permanent site in what was once empty or something else in our memories. Here is my snapshot of it before it goes and leaves us with something to replace this memory.