Get the Money

Kult. Gallery presents “Remix 2k20” Group Show for Singapore Art Week, Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre, Singapore, January 2020

PHOTOS BY CALEB MING, VIDEO BY GEOFF FORTUNE, MUSIC BY W.Y.HUANG

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A commentary on society’s fixation and delusions towards money, excess and materialism. A temple-like statue with many prosperity symbols one can worship in hopes of acquiring money without putting in hard work. Blind faith, irrational optimism as latest reports show that Singaporeans spent a record $7.4 billion on sports bets and lotteries better known as “4D” and “TOTO”. 


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VIDEO



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WAREHOUSE VIEW

GET THE MONEY
MIXED MEDIA SCULPTURE (POLYSTERENE, AIR-DRY CLAY, PLASTER, PVA GLUE, ACRYLIC PAINT, SILK FLOWERS, LED STRIP LIGHTING, PLYWOOD CONSTRUCTION, IRON ROD, BAMBOO POLE, TWINE, TEXTILE, TASSELS, HOLOGRAPHIC STICKER)  
SCULPTURE SIZE: 250 CM (H)  X 70 CM (W)  X 70 CM (D)
INSTALLATION SIZE: 250 CM (H) X 200CM (W) X 200 CM (D)

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INSTALLATION VIEW

The temple beckons the visitors to worship it and in return, asks for them to search for a non-existant lottery lumber. 

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A Golden Stupor embedded with Lotus details sit above a temple roof lined with “Nagas” .


Prosperity symbols: A Feng shui Toad and a double-headed “Lucky Cat” sit on top of a “Rice Jar”.


A “Get Rich Quick Antidote” can be found behind the Dragon on an altar as a strange eerie tune play from the boombox. 



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SCULPTURE DETAILS

       


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The temple’s traditional white & blue porcelain style is reminiscent of ancient Chinese Porcelain, embodying the symbol of a Contemporary Relic and giving it further importance. 


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PROSPERITY FLAGS
A series of eight “Prosperity” flags illustrated with Chinese proverbs about money are  displayed on bamboo poles around the temple.



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INSTALLATION VIEW

Bats are symbols of serious money in feng shui, and used as a wealth cure.Playing on the Chinese character for bats. The same word/pronunciation for Bat - "Fu 蝠" - also means "Prosperity 福" in Chinese.



A Tiger guardian for the temple.

Left: “有钱一条龙,无钱一条虫” literally translated as “With money you are a dragon; with no money, a worm.” 

Right: Another Feng Shui belief,The “Double Fish” is a significant symbol of prosperity because the word fish in Chinese translates to “yu”, which also means wealth.


       

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SKETCHES


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WORK IN PROGRESS




Thanks for looking! 