 |
| Monday, November 27, 2006
Art>Secret, interiors: Chrysalis by Donna Ong Flight of FantasyWriter : Yang Ming Prolific Christian artist Donna Ong has come a long way. From her debut solo exhibition, the critically acclaimed Palace of Dreams (2004) to Secret, interiors : Chrysalis at the Singapore Biennale 2006, City Hall, her work continues to evoke us. Yang Ming notes her thoughts at Secret, interiors : Chrysalis.  Secret, interiors : Chrysalis is an exploration of the secrets/spaces situated within four separate exhibits within the four judges' chambers at the City Hall. The works are numbered 19 to 22 and viewers are invited to interact with the objects and imagined personas of the rooms. "Secret, interiors: Chrysalis 19" - My first thought of it is 'haunting', even as a note pasted outside its entrance warns about 'Parental Guidance'. Inside the room on the judge's table are several large jars of water connected by tubes. A doll floats within each giant jar. At first glance, people may mistake the things they see as a post-mortem laboratory where a mad scientist is ready to dissect human body parts. Underneath the table are four drawings of foetuses. Perhaps beneath those morbid facade, this persona desires to be fruitful and not barren. Other tangible objects were herbs like ginseng and olives to signify that we often nourish our desires/children with tonics. "Secret, interiors: Chrysalis 20" - The room looks almost empty except for a book on top of the large judge's table, until you walk to where the chair is. There is light flickering underneath the table, reflecting about voluminous glass wares that make the whole thing resemble a crystal cave. It illumnates the sketches in the book above that is actually filled with cave drawings. I was reminded of The Alchemist by Paulo Celho, in the part where the main character in his treasure hunt meets a crystal shop owner who hires him. The crystal shop then reaps miraculous profits. "Secret, interiors: Chrysalis 21" - The table in the room has two big wooden wings. On top of the desk is a smorgasbord of found objects ranging from a joystick, an old radio set, consoles and even goggles! A medium-sized metal propeller is attached and the bottom of the desk is afixed with two wheels. The entire installation resembles a plane ready to fly yet it unable to take off. I move to sit on the rather high chair which peers barely above the mahogany. It leads me to a fantastic position to imagine. 21 is a bolder and more elaborate endeavor of Ong's Palace of Dreams (2004). What impresses me the most are the drawings of various flying machines hung down from the ceiling. Ong drew those drawings painstakingly using a blue felt pen. Secret, interiors: Chrysalis 22 - Ong's last artwork in this series is constructed like a music room with daily objects drilled and screwed onto the table top for visitors to interact with. For example a dustbin becomes a drum and different sizes of knives and spoons turn into xylophones. Verdict : Whether freaky or hopeful, Ong's installation anchors in hope and faith. In the world amok with failures and hopelessness, it is often our dreams that keep us alive. Items like a flying plane offer us the chance to believe that we can fly though even though these dreams may be impossible. Romans 5:2 says, "... through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God." That is the evocation out of this chrysalis.
|
|
|
 |
 |