Blank Canvas invites art enthusiasts to a unique exhibition titled It depends…, running from 1 June to 18 August 2024. Co-curated by sputnikforest, this immersive show features works by Dan Lie, Ser Serpas, Chiharu Shiota, Tan Zi Hao, and Danh Vo. Set against the backdrop of an evocative twilight environment, the exhibition challenges conventional art viewing experiences.

Experiencing Art In The Gloaming: It depends…

The exhibition features tangible pieces created by artists from different cultural backgrounds and diverse artistic disciplines. Highlights include a taxidermied bird ensnared in a complex web of black strings, a rusting fragment of a spiral staircase, a copper section from a life-sized replica of the Statue of Liberty, a spectral form of draped fabric evoking a disembodied outfit, and close-up micro photographs of the casings of household casebearers (also known as plaster bagworms).

Each artwork, in a conventional white cube setting, would evoke questions of mortality, relationships, power structures, and the notion of home and belonging.

A Unique Twilight Environment

The exhibition deliberately places these artworks in a setting that mimics the twilight hours, complete with ambient sounds and scents reminiscent of a woodland walk. This environment contrasts sharply with the tangible nature of the artworks, prompting visitors to reflect on whether the context in which art is viewed changes its meaning and impact.

By presenting the artworks in this unique setting, It depends… explores whether themes of mortality, entanglement, societal power, and belonging are amplified or altered. The exhibition challenges the viewer to consider how the context affects their perception and interpretation of art.

Does Context Matter?

The core question of the exhibition is whether the context in which artworks are encountered matters. By situating the pieces in an immersive twilight environment, It depends… suggests that the answer is nuanced – it depends on various factors, including the viewer’s personal experience and interpretation.

A Collaborative Effort

It depends… is a collaborative effort between Blank Canvas and sputnikforest, a Penang-based spatial designer. This exhibition continues Blank Canvas’s tradition of utilizing the founder’s personal collection to explore contemporary societal and aesthetic concerns.

It depends… is an invitation to experience art beyond the conventional white cube setting. By immersing viewers in a unique twilight environment, the exhibition offers a fresh perspective on the interplay between context and art, leaving the interpretation open to personal experience and reflection.