christography

Art is an experience, both by the artists as well as by the audience. Sometimes, experiences are shared, sometimes, very different experiences are read.

I’ve been asked many times what I think about certain images during portfolio reviews / creation. Sometimes, I don’t understand it, and often times, I get exactly the same experiences, and on some occasions, I get very different experiences from those of the artists (photographers or painters).

“So which is right?” came a question from a young photographer.

Art, in general, is very subjective. That, is a given. It really is alright to not understand, but, what’s really important is that different views are shared, and discussed. To reach an understanding of a different life, a different experience. How else are we to grow? We grow so much more when we are sharing experiences, methods, tips, bargains, etc. (Which brings me to the entry “Living in groups”.)

All too often, I get students who just do as they are told, and even when it comes to the understanding of their own works, my words seems to mean more than what they themselves are trying to say.

Ken Seet, a photographer whom I respect a lot told me this: “Eh, my works not cheem (singlish for intellectually difficult to understand) wan, lah. I shoot them when I travel for my commercial jobs, during the off days only lah.” Little do they realize that it is precisely because these were a reaction to their daily, boring commercial grind, that these works mean so much more! Every experience counts, no matter how un-cheem it may sound, as long as they are real.

“But I really don’t know what it means, I just want to take my pictures this way.” says another.

There are times when a reaction might not have an obvious cause. Sometimes, this obscure cause could be hidden in a subconscious, sometimes, it is due to many, many different things. It takes quite a bit to find out, and usually, over time, the understanding will come up onto the surface. But it is always good to be honest in what one wants to say.

THEN, there are those who add meaning to their works, only to make it sound ‘cheem’. Sometimes, it works. Usually, it’s confusing. And often times, it’s just plain shallow as the words is now much more than the images themselves. After a while, you can spot these a mile away. And when talking to these artists, you can just hear their “conviction”.

My favorite experiences are those that are clean, simple, easy and difficult to read at the same time. But most importantly, they are HONEST. 

I sometimes put everything like it was an image. A picture. When I feel that way, I somehow feel disconnected, and during these times, I actually put on clothes that are more stylish; so I become the picture? I dun really know. 

balabah babahla lababahla la la bah bah..

Now, how many people actually understand that our past creates who we are? How many people actually realize how important that is, in the creation of our works?

I was just lamenting to my friends about how there are no longer any childhood places that I can go to now that I went to when I was younger. Except maybe Fort Canning during my primary school days. But all that was even marginally eventful was that I found some condom and through it was a balloon.

I can’t find my childhood anymore. 

So I see a bookworm come out from a very old book, I let it go. To find a life  mate, to multiply, to have a life. I would’ve killed it if this was me 10 years ago, but well, life is so much more important than papers. Now, if only the bookworm could write.

Hmmm.. did you notice how rare the real bookworms are these days? And how populous the human bookworms are now? 

Just had kopi with Ernest. One of the local photographers that I admire quite a lot of. Great work, hardworking, wonderful honest personality. What a rare combination.

Anyways, we were just saying how it was like when I was younger and my parents and grandparents would say that that way of the west was bad, that thinking too much about money was bad. But being young and Asian, never quite understood where that came from.

If I were to understand correctly, the way of the west, was the way of how much money one makes. It was strange to me just how, when I was younger, the American companies would hire and fire as and when someone didn’t bring in enough dough.

“So what do you think the Chinese way of making business is like?” asks Ernest. Well, think traditional, not contemporary.

The way of the Asian (traditional Chinese and Japanese) companies was to hire someone for the long term, good or bad.

It is apparently different how the west would want their kids to leave the nest once they’ve reached 16-19 years old. Where it is expected for the Asians to keep the parents within the household (the old ginger is always stronger).

The Asian way of thinking was always to work as a family unit, friend unit, village unit, or even as a country.

Which is better? Which is bad? None, but I think a balance is needed.

The world is getting richer, but our lives are not. So let’s consider getting better lives instead of just accumulating wealth. Let’s just consider, when you are able, about helping people get better lives, for their future.

I think this also applies to the photography world. All too often, photographers keep everything to themselves, not building for the future of the industry. If everyone were like that, the industry will one day disappear.

Sharing our experiences, sharing our lives. That is what art is about. Life. If you can’t share that, you can’t be doing art, can you? 

There are times when I wonder why certain people are put in the position of advisory, when they are neither good nor competent.

Well, if they were rich, they could ‘contribute’ to the industry. If they were powerful, they could manipulate the industry. But, they are not even rich or powerful. But they are eloquent enough to manipulate thing to themselves?.. hmm.. 

I wished I knew more about these people. 

Been happening for a while now, but I have been feeling the need to take deep deep breaths, even when I’m not doing anything. My body is telling me to relek, siao..