clang said:Hi Everyone This is Clang, writing from NYC. A friend of mine refers me to this interesting page. It seems that a majority of you really dislike my artwork. A few of you actually feel that Ive wasted your time. And one is not impressed with my attitude in the 8 Days interview. I do apologize for all that.
My main purpose for putting a show in Singapore is to try to have my own fellow mate understand who I am. There is no doubt Ive become a very successful photographer but that does not make me a lesser artist. I do not want to defend my work as I appreciate your critique.
I do feel a bit discourage by your response. It was my decision to show in Singapore despite many objections from my Singapore friends. They warned me that many Singaporeans are not ready for this form of contemporary photography. I knew then and now I know. And also, by doing this exhibition, I do not laugh all the way to the bank as one suggested. I have to finance a big portion of it as Singapore is still really new in the contemporary art scene. This is one area I hope we can push further. I thought I could contribute a bit to this development. But Im probably wrong.
My work is based on my mental visual diary and they sort of work as a filmstrip. When I look at a photograph, I do not critic its prettiness or if I can also shoot this. I dont try to challenge the artist motive. I try to feel where he or she is coming from. I do not judge images at a surface level. A seemingly simple image or an image that one quickly dissed as a waste of time may surface more voice and nuance if one choose to truly listen with his heart. Good work requires attention and sometimes, we miss out by not paying enough attention to subtleties.
The process of creating an art (not technique) is as important as the art itself. When I look at an image, I also see the artist himself. I can also imagine the moments when the image is being taken. These Self-portraits have also demonstrated the true friendship and trust I have with the sitter, Beon. He was a very awkward and extremely inferior guy. Through the process of creating this artwork for the last 4 years, Ive managed to slowly help him to gain that self-confidence. And I dont think we do this trying to impress anyone.
I cant change your chosen perception of me, especially Im no longer an underdog that live in a 3-room HDB flat but a new millionaire that everyone loves to hate. But I hope we can all learn to listen to every piece of art we encounter, especially one from your fellow Singaporean. Only then we can grow strong together internationally. At this moment, Singaporeans does not qualify for the art program in Moma PS1 in New York.
And for those who seems unimpressed with other work on my website, I apologize too. It is just my diary that Ive chosen to share. The people with their backs facing the camera are my parents & parents-in-laws. Not just various people. It is a continuation of my earlier series where their facial features are blurred and deleted. In these images, I was trying to convey how much I miss them, especially now that they are in their golden age. Im frightened I may not remember their faces in my mind one day. Do check up the earlier series at www.bank-art.com/clang/clang/
And as for the NYC Ghost, the water represents a human on the street without their flesh and bones but only the 70% water we contain. This is a reflection of how I feel after 911. I live two blocks away during the tragic event and have witness the 2nd plane crash and the towers collapsing.
Finally I think communications should be both sided. I feel that art is not a language that we can instantly use to communicate with one another. It requires patience and willingness, with open mind to see beyond.
I dont think I will be doing another show in Singapore in the near future. However, I will continue to support the Singapore art scene.
Thank you so much for hearing me out. I appreciate it.
Minoxman said:Guess everyone has a mental diary to unfold pictorially. I guess my 6 year old niece would be holding her exhibition in MOMA soon too. She uses a p & s now. You should check out her work. She has a lot to show, but not much to explain.
Minoxman said:Guess everyone has a mental diary to unfold pictorially. I guess my 6 year old niece would be holding her exhibition in MOMA soon too. She uses a p & s now. You should check out her work. She has a lot to show, but not much to explain.
clang said:These Self-portraits have also demonstrated the true friendship and trust I have with the sitter, Beon. He was a very awkward and extremely inferior guy. Through the process of creating this artwork for the last 4 years, Ive managed to slowly help him to gain that self-confidence. And I dont think we do this trying to impress anyone.
You missed the whole point. Point is, JC's work aren't technically outstanding but commonplace. Anyone with anything to say or a concept to showcase could have done the same thing. If you jumble his work with some of the pictures in this forum, I would have bet you can't pick his masterpieces out from the lot. At least I can't. Now is that unappreciative of his art? Yes and no to different people.mattlock said:I think you've got to get over the whole "technical" aspect of photography. it's just another medium. more important than how technically perfect a piece is is the message within the piece. I'm sure Clang can shoot a pristine picture with the best equipment if he wanted to. if he chooses to shoot in a manner that seems point and shoot perhaps it is because the method suits the concept.
And yes sometimes artists have to explain their art because people are so caught up focusing on secondary things like how technically perfect a piece is that they miss the artist's intention.
mattlock said:I think you've got to get over the whole "technical" aspect of photography. it's just another medium. more important than how technically perfect a piece is is the message within the piece. I'm sure Clang can shoot a pristine picture with the best equipment if he wanted to. if he chooses to shoot in a manner that seems point and shoot perhaps it is because the method suits the concept.
And yes sometimes artists have to explain their art because people are so caught up focusing on secondary things like how technically perfect a piece is that they miss the artist's intention.
fleming said:perhaps john is right in saying that singapore is not ready for contemporary art. his works speak of his voice, his feelings towards the subjects. reading through this thread, it seems that the objective isn't about understanding the subjectivity of art but just criticism. the difference here is that he has made it while the rest of us are still talking here. won't that be more time wasting? be it art or street photography, i believe in professionism and professionism comes not with personal attack nor unconstructive criticism. it is indeed true that it is not what goes into the mouth that is harmful but what come out of it that can be.
i stand in agreement with my fellow singaporean photographer in New York City.
let's talk less and do more so that people will hear about the photography that is coming out of singapore.
the least we could do is to let them know that we are not located somewhere in China.
clang said:Hi Everyone This is Clang, writing from NYC. A friend of mine refers me to this interesting page. It seems that a majority of you really dislike my artwork. A few of you actually feel that Ive wasted your time. And one is not impressed with my attitude in the 8 Days interview. I do apologize for all that.
My main purpose for putting a show in Singapore is to try to have my own fellow mate understand who I am. There is no doubt Ive become a very successful photographer but that does not make me a lesser artist. I do not want to defend my work as I appreciate your critique.
I do feel a bit discourage by your response. It was my decision to show in Singapore despite many objections from my Singapore friends. They warned me that many Singaporeans are not ready for this form of contemporary photography. I knew then and now I know. And also, by doing this exhibition, I do not laugh all the way to the bank as one suggested. I have to finance a big portion of it as Singapore is still really new in the contemporary art scene. This is one area I hope we can push further. I thought I could contribute a bit to this development. But Im probably wrong.
My work is based on my mental visual diary and they sort of work as a filmstrip. When I look at a photograph, I do not critic its prettiness or if I can also shoot this. I dont try to challenge the artist motive. I try to feel where he or she is coming from. I do not judge images at a surface level. A seemingly simple image or an image that one quickly dissed as a waste of time may surface more voice and nuance if one choose to truly listen with his heart. Good work requires attention and sometimes, we miss out by not paying enough attention to subtleties.
The process of creating an art (not technique) is as important as the art itself. When I look at an image, I also see the artist himself. I can also imagine the moments when the image is being taken. These Self-portraits have also demonstrated the true friendship and trust I have with the sitter, Beon. He was a very awkward and extremely inferior guy. Through the process of creating this artwork for the last 4 years, Ive managed to slowly help him to gain that self-confidence. And I dont think we do this trying to impress anyone.
I cant change your chosen perception of me, especially Im no longer an underdog that live in a 3-room HDB flat but a new millionaire that everyone loves to hate. But I hope we can all learn to listen to every piece of art we encounter, especially one from your fellow Singaporean. Only then we can grow strong together internationally. At this moment, Singaporeans does not qualify for the art program in Moma PS1 in New York.
And for those who seems unimpressed with other work on my website, I apologize too. It is just my diary that Ive chosen to share. The people with their backs facing the camera are my parents & parents-in-laws. Not just various people. It is a continuation of my earlier series where their facial features are blurred and deleted. In these images, I was trying to convey how much I miss them, especially now that they are in their golden age. Im frightened I may not remember their faces in my mind one day. Do check up the earlier series at www.bank-art.com/clang/clang/
And as for the NYC Ghost, the water represents a human on the street without their flesh and bones but only the 70% water we contain. This is a reflection of how I feel after 911. I live two blocks away during the tragic event and have witness the 2nd plane crash and the towers collapsing.
Finally I think communications should be both sided. I feel that art is not a language that we can instantly use to communicate with one another. It requires patience and willingness, with open mind to see beyond.
I dont think I will be doing another show in Singapore in the near future. However, I will continue to support the Singapore art scene.
Thank you so much for hearing me out. I appreciate it.
meepokman said:Hi Fleming,
first of all, let me welcome you to clubsnap
To appreciate a piece of art, you definately have to understand it. But to fully appreciate it, you critize it. An artist must be able to 'defend' his visions and ideas.
Like JC said himself, art is a 2-way communication. He did some work, we gave some feedback.
Oh... one more thing which is bothering me.
NY is indeed the fashion hub of the world. It is the 'most happening' place on earth. BUT that doesn't mean places other than NY is 'backward'.
Why did I make such a comment?
I sense a few of the photographers have the mentality that whatever is accepted, loved or popularized in NY means it is accepted else where. If peeps in other places don't like it, it just means that are not 'contemporary' enuff or just not as creative or are just plain backwards.
I beg to differ. Yes, many interesting and creative idea do fly ard in NY. But what is accepted there only applies to that particular American culture.
For our instance, this is Singapore. If your stuffs didn't work here.... it didn't. It didn't work here not because this island is not contemporary enuff etc. But you overlooked the difference in the culture and social environment. Don't assume what works there will work here.
I think it is a good idea that we have fellow singaporeans to bring in fresh ideas from overseas. ANd I don't see why a few critisim is gonna bog any of you down.
Pardon me for being so loh soh....im a singaporean aftereall