Presentation Slide

Galaman by Johnee Lau, 2011

Around Sound Art Festival and Retreat

Kwun Tong Ferry Pier

Unlike the usual exhibitions happening in gallery, the Around Sound Art Festival and Retreat exhibition is actually held in Kwun Tong Ferry Pier, a semi-open space in the waterfront. When I set my foot into the gallery, I was immediately amazed by the space. The place is actually an empty and spacious Ferry Pier. The natural sunlight, breeze and the sound of surf forms a comfortable and relaxing environment to enjoy the visit. I felt calm and relaxed inside the pier.

Sound Installations

Sound device

Literally, Around Sound Art Festival and Retreat is of course an exhibition about sound. Indeed, there were many displays of innovative devices and installations making interesting sound. But what I want to focus and share is my whole new experience to two live sound performances.

 

Glass Bottles

When I stepped up on the second floor, my attention was drawn to the green glass bottles lining up in straight line on the ground. I didn’t what is going to happen and how it creates sound? Then, visitors and I were told to gather around to next side of the space. There was nothing strangely except a straight rope lying on the ground. An old man stood by the rope. At the beginning, I had no idea of who he is. He started to take some prop stands from the side and to place them along the rope one by one. Following that, he used wooden beams to connect the prop stands together. After finishing that, he hammered nail on the beams at intervals creating some annoying banging noise. I actually wondered what they are and how the performance is going on. The whole performance kept me curious on the next move.

 

Placing prop stands

Placing wooden beam

The old man hammering nails

Meantime, a lady from nowhere suddenly lied down on the ground. Yes, she stayed her body close to the ground. ‘What? Why is she doing that?’ I screamed in my mind. Is she trying to listen to the vibration of sound on ground? ‘What a passionate audience?’ I wondered in my mind. I couldn’t help but barely bear to laugh because that move was really hilarious. When the hammering went to half, the lady seemed to be woken up by the banging sound. She sat up and slowly stood up. Then she started to post different gestures and to dance slowing using arms.

The lady lying on the ground

 

The lady woke up

When all were set up, the old man used a chopstick to tap on the nails from one end to another, making beautiful and melodious notes. Hearing the sound, the lady simultaneously danced more vigorously. She interacted with the frequency, amplitude and speed of sound. The faster the tapping, the faster the sound, and the faster she danced.

 

Dancing lady

It appeared to be that the old man was interacting with the lady. But to me, it seemed that actually they were trying to convey a message, to tell a story and to perform a drama through the sound and the dance. The story is like a metamorphosis of a butterfly, from sleeping to struggling to fly and finally floating around the flowers. The final melody by tapping the nail and the energetic dance looked like the celebration of beautiful living of butterflies.

Another performance is also given by them. But the tools of producing sound were different by using the bottle I saw before. This time the lady kicked off the act by picking up a bottle. Surprisingly, there was water inside those bottles. The lady danced fluently while holding the bottle making the water inside to splash out on the ground. The water hit on the ground produced an amazingly pleasing sound. Then, the lady picked more bottles and did the same thing. Unexpectedly, the old man came in and picked the bottles one a hand. He knocked the bottles against each other producing strong beats. They repeated until all the water was poured.

Picking up Bottle

Dancing while pouring water

Water poured over the ground

The old man banging two bottles

Again, it seemed to me that the interaction of them was another story telling. A fairy was pouring rains to the world by happily dancing through the sky while a pixie was casting thunders. Or it is simply two drunk people madly danced.

The two performances were performed by Akio Suzuki, a Japanese sound artist and the lady I didn’t get her name. I think the performance they haven’t practiced before, but they just did it out of the consensus on sound and each other. Besides, I didn’t know until I watched and listened to these performances that sound can produce a space and tell a story. I am now quite interested to search more artworks of sound and discover more about Akio!

Akio Suzuki’s official website

http://www.akiosuzuki.com/web/index-en.html

ANDY WARHOL

ANDY WARHOL

15 MINUTES ETERNAL

Highly recommended by my friends knowing I have studied the Contemporary Art, I caught up on Andy Warhol’s exhibition by the Easter Holiday. Before I went to the exhibition, I didn’t know anything about Andy Warhol and his works. But I was then told that he is the one to design Campbell’s Soup Cans and painting of Marilyn Monroe. So, my first impression of Andy Warhol and his works is full of glamour and colors, and the exhibition is going to be very eye-catching and joyful.

When I arrived to the exhibition, I was immediately attracted by the bright pink wall finish outside the exhibition. Unlike other exhibitions I visited, this one is a personal show displaying the artist’s own artworks. The exhibition space is arranged by the Warhol’s art life in 1950s, 60s, 70s and 80s. Therefore, I chose to get to know Warhol by following the steps of Andy took.

Exhibition Booklet

As a beginning in 50s, there are displays of his early art works after graduated, mostly sketches and illustrations. I can see Warhol’s drawings with a special ink line made by blotting the ink. One of the examples is the Folding Screen. The painting on it has very Warhol’s creative style with the bold color and unusual theme in that time. It pictures two naked fairies with vibrant butterfly wings floating above a vivid flower, a theme very much different from the heavy and abstract style in that time. This is what I admire about Andy Warhol that his artwork is easily understood, popular, very touchable to people but not follow the mainstream style.

Folding Screen

In the transition between 50s and 60s, I had to walk pass a room filled with many huge silver floating balloons. Even though they are not allowed to touched, many children and even myself couldn’t help but push and bang them just for fun. This once again demonstrates that Warhol’s art is about fun and to engage with people.

POP ART IS FOR EVERYONE.

Campbell's Soup Can

Brillo Box

In the 60s, the works are more recognizable and popular. The most representative works I immediately point out are the Campbell’s Soup Can and Brillo Box. I think Warhol do a great job to integrate art to daily life, making art approachable by everyone. This is why it is called ‘Pop art’. Besides, Warhol also drew and painted on portraits. Marilyn undoubtedly, I think, is the most widely-known. The different colors on the portrait, especially on the eyes and lips give strong and different feelings. For example, the bright colored portrait on the left looks joyful and sexy while the black and white painted reveals sadness from those eyes.

Portrait of Marilyn

Marilyn

Portrait named Most Wanted Men - a very controversial series by public and media 

To the 70s, Warhol’s life is all about exposures and fame. The works are mainly portrait of celebrities. The portrait is specially treated from Polaroid photo shoot into a silkscreen which is another Warhol’s creative style on painting. Representative work is Carolina Herrera. Alongside portraits of celebrities, Warhol also made a vast number of self-portraits. Well, I have no idea why. Maybe Warhol is very confident in himself.

Portrait of Carolina Herrera

Coming to the end in 80s, I particularly impressed by the boldness of Warhol to experiment different things, for instance, working with other young artist.

Crab - Collaboration painting with Jean-Michel Basquiat

I can still remember how the exhibition end with Warhol last Self-Portrait. The portrait is very visually impressive. The contrast of black and red give a shock and chill to me. I couldn’t help but think how important is this artist brings such touchable art to people. And still, the glamour and influence of Andy Warhol and his works will continuously inspire the generations.

Self-portrait of Andy Warhol

Andy Warhol Website: http://www.warhol.org/

Artwork from Johnee Lau, Father of Galaman

GALAMAN Ep.1 有鼻而來, 30-05-2011
I have chosen to present this particular artwork by Johnee Lau, firstly, because it is a comedic animated short film, a representative media of his artworks. “Galaman” is a serial animated short film broadcasted on YouTube. Let’s watch it first.

What strike me the most is how Johnee creates the characters from his uniqle and tiny observation of things. The main character in the animation, Galaman is inspired by the superheroes from the cartoons he watched in his childhood. He sees a special coincidence from many superheroes that their armpit often appears such as Superman has to reveals his armpit when flying and Spider also inevitably shows his armpit when ejecting threads. It is why he invents Galaman transform from the armpit whenever he put up his arm. Another interesting way of creating characters is that he specially adds life to his body parts that are often regarded as disgusting or sensitive. Not only Galaman comes from an armpit but also the monster is actually a nose.

Apart from the creative invention of the character, Johnee also employs pun to design funny characters and dialogue. Pun is one of the special characteristic of Chinese language. I love how Johnee smartly play with the prouniciation and meaning of words. That always surprises and makes me laugh. I think that is what art is all about, to be easily understood, entertaining, and reflecting local culture(e.g. language). Johnee’s works really engage with people and possess the local characteristics. 

Unlike other animations we see, Johnee uses queer and special theme and material in a funny way. For example, the characters are inspired by body parts that are often regarded as disgusting or sensitive. It starts provoke my thought to think about what they are. Why people think they are repulsive? Do I think so? 

Besides, his artworks are often inspired by his unique observation in daily life. This gives me an insight to tiny thing I come across every day and to start appreciate the surroundings especially those ignored by people.

Reference
I think “Galaman” is somehow an artwork of sampling and subverting. For example, the main character, Galaman is inspired when he sees a special coincidence from many superheroes coincidentally often show their armpit. For example, Superman must reveal his armpit when flying and Spider also inevitably shows his armpit when ejecting threads. Therefore, he makes a parody on the superheroes and invents Galaman transform from the armpit whenever he put up his arm. Besides, Johnee also subverts the Chinese by employing pun to design funny characters and dialogue. 



Obviously, “Galaman” can emerges only from the new media of art – digital age. The digital media helps realize and present the virtual world Johnee created to audience. The invention of network and digital world makes art affordable and reachable to anyone. More people can have a whole new different way to see, engage with art. 

External links to Johnee Lau's work:
http://jacso.hk/johnee

Father of Galaman - Johnee Lau

Biography

After graduated from Digital Media of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Johnee and his schoolmates set up their own design studio, “Minimind Studio” in 2011. As an animator and a graphic designer, Johnee starts with a humorous animation on the Internet, based on his graduation product, “Galaman”.

Why I choose him?
The first time I watched Johnee’s animation was when my friend sent me a link on YouTube called “The Eunuch” (重口味神劇 【 太監尬 】 第一集). 

"Pi-ka-chew" (肶卡蕉)

I was like “What the hell is that?” But to my curiosity, I clicked the link and watched it. And that was HILARIOUS! It is a parody on a local TV drama but cross over with the characters in Japanese cartoon: Pokemon. Some people may find it queer and creepy. But I think it is queer and unique in a good way. I love how Johnee smartly use pun to create his characters and dialogues in the animation. For example, in “The Eunuch”, “Pi-ka-chew” from “Pokemon” is similar to “leg-ka-banana” pronounced in Cantonese. So, he creates a characters with a body of banana with a pair of legs but and also Pikachew’s face. It is so funny and surprised when I saw characters from Pokemon, a cartoon I obsessed in my childhood being re-created. 

Afterward I was crazy to watch his other animations and found that he created his own character called “Galaman”, a superhero that are turned from an armpitXD. Instead of parody on original characters, “Galaman” is totally invented by Johnee. In the series of “Galaman”, he also humorously plays on the meaning of words with same pronunciations to design funny characters and dialogue.

Not only does he make animation, but also design illustrations. He has his own style of illustrations called “faster pieces” that he also puns on Chinese words with same pronunciation in Cantonese. What is more admiring is that he can quickly draw those “faster pieces” when being asked in his art booth.

Rings

Cup Noodles

Eyeball (eye-ball in Cantonese pronunciation also means eye-spider) 

Apart from his wit and creativity, I also appreciate his boldness and determination to be an animator and a graphic designer in Hong Kong where design is considered as a job with no prospects and most of the young people nowadays prefer to choose a promising career giving up their design dreams. However, Johnee sticks to his art works and his dream to become a designer with unique styles.

Therefore, I would like to choose Johnee Lau for my paper.

More about Johnee Lau,http://jacso.hk/johnee
http://www.facebook.com/johneelau?fref=ts

Local Artist: Lam Tung Pang

Biography

Lam Tung Pang, a local artist, after graduated at the Department of Fine Arts at the Chinese University of Hong Kong in 2002, he studied for a Master of Fine Arts degree at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in England the following year. He then opened a studio in Beijing to experience the art in China. Back to Hong Kong, he and his partners have set up their work studio in Fotan which annually open for public visit during “’Fotanian Open Studio Exhibition”.

Lam Tung Pang uses wooden board and charcoal to draw in traditional Chinese ‘ink wash painting’ style. However, not merely do his drawings portrait the natural sceneries as most traditional Chinese ink wash paintings do, but reflect his observation, feeling, and thought in his daily life and towards society.

Reason for choosing him for final paper

I choose Tung-Pang for my final paper is because his arts have a touch of humanity that I am able to relate to.

People nowadays are so busy that rather than really observe, they only glance at what they see. However, Tung-Pang likes to discover what is happening around him through observation. Then, he uses art as a tool to record his observation in his daily life, to write his own stories and to articulate his own thoughts and feelings. Therefore, his artworks are personal based on his own stories but, on the other hand, are actually more sympathetic and approachable to the audience. Seeing Tung-Pang’s works, for example, from the exhibition named “Drawing Observatory”, I can easily understand and try to experience his stories. 

http://www.lamtungpang.com/pages/posts/artists-in-the-neighbourhood-scheme-v-the-drawing-observatory-mdash-works-by-lam-tung-pang141.php

One of the works in the "Condition Series" (狀態) with the themes of conservation and the environment.

Moreover, Lam believes that not only an artist is an observer of society but also a participant that he can express himself through art to encourage his audience to explore and reflect on society.

Besides, Tung-Pang said that as a Hong Konger born in 70s, he was raised under colonial background which allows him to bump into a mix of western and Chinese cultures. Awakened of this unique cultural background, Tung-Pang also expresses his call of identity through his art series called ‘Long View Under Scrutiny’ (近觀遠望).

http://www.lamtungpang.com/works/Artworks/work/works/Pages/Long_View_under_Scruitiny.html

Fotanian Open Studio

Since the industries had migrated to the Mainland, artists turn the industrial lofts into art studio. During Fotanian Open Studio, these artists open their studio to the general public. Visitors and artists can openly share and exchange their experience in making art.

 This is the first time that I visit such big and organized exhibition which engages such a huge number of local artists. I really love the idea of visiting the studio of the artist. By explore artists’ workplaces and listen about their artworks and experience on making art, this brings the artists and me closer, making me easier to understand and appreciate their art works.

I like the way how artists use this abandoned lofts for their studios. The headroom of industrial lofts is high and spacious that gives artist a more relaxing and comfortable environment for thinking and creating art. My friends and I wish to rent a loft for our studio where we can make and put our architectural model. I can picture one day I can also join the Fotanian Open Studio and showcase my works to the public. Hope that is not a dream.

One of the favorite artworks I see in the exhibition is a sculpture produced by Joe Lee. First, I am attracted by the very real tree sculpture made of copper. And I try to look at it closer, I find there are two ladders: one leading from the ground to the house on the trees and the other one going from the house to the top of tree. Strangely, I don’t really get what it means. Then I look up, and surprisingly, there is another longer ladder above the tree, yes above the tree, hanging off in the air which links up to many giant wire-framed cubes. Finally I look at the title of the art work. It is called “Goals”. 

Suddenly, I get something from this work. Sometimes in the journey of chasing some goals, we may feel easy at the beginning. But as the journey goes on, we all meet some hitch, so called the neck of bottle. However, we have to take a risk and jump that gap. Just like how the person in the sculpture leaps from the tree top to the ladder above. Otherwise, if we give up, we never fulfill our goals, our dream and get stuck at the neck of bottle. Life is worth or not is up to whether you want to gamble or not. This reminds me of a song. “Life is just a gamble, so just enjoy the game” quoted from a song called “join the club” by Lucy Spraggan.

Another art piece I like very much is a head sculpture. I don’t know why. But when I look at ‘her’, I find a feeling of peace, silence and softness. Perhaps, it was ‘her’ vulnerable look that makes me want to treasure ‘her’ and the moment I look at her. With ‘her’ closed eyes, it seems that ‘she’ doesn’t look at me or ‘she’ is sleeping. Like the eyes of Buddha, that also gives people a sense of peace in their minds. Well, it looks so powerful, peaceful, and mortal to me.

Visiting Fotanian Open Studio not only truly opens my eyes toward the local art, but also nurtures my interest in appreciating different art form.