Friday, November 4, 2016

The Gridded Ghosts Series, 2016

The photographic series was first shown in my solo exhibition entitled "After-image: Living with The Ghosts in My House" in January this year. The green cutting mat serves as a space of domestication in order to counteract the visuality produced by the state machine. Cut-outs from the printed materials collected during the Malaysian 13th General Election in May 5th, 2013 were "measured" and organized with the help of the grids on the cutting mat.

The 10 compositions slowly took form once I managed to discern the hidden advertising strategies employed in the game. The images of the electoral candidates presented either in passport photo or persuasive posture are void of any substantial existence because they are pure image aiming at circulating in the public sphere - the democracy of the spectacle.

Thus, we are constantly reminded that we should be content with the mediocracy.

Trickster, Minstrel Kuik, 2016, 60 x 40 cm, c-print
Orator, Minstrel Kuik, 2016, 60 x 40 cm, c-print
Blue Book, Minstrel Kuik, 2016, 60 x 40 cm, c-print

Gamer, Minstrel Kuik, 2016, 60 x 40 cm, c-print

Cabinet, Minstrel Kuik, 2016, 60 x 40 cm, c-print
Papa, Minstrel Kuik, 2016, 60 x 40 cm, c-print
Gurdian, Minstrel Kuik, 2016, 60 x 40 cm, c-print
Magic Carpet, Minstrel Kuik, 2016, 60 x 40 cm, c-print
YB, Minstrel Kuik, 2016, 60 x 40 cm, c-print
Mother, Minstrel Kuik, 2016, 60 x 40 cm, c-print