I love images with quotes on them. I go on frequent instagram searches such images, which are hashtagged with terms such as #quotes, #soulfood, #quotesgram and so on. I would print screen the ones that I like onto my phone, and when I have a feeling which needs to be expressed, I scroll through my little archive of images and repost them on my own Instagram. I believe that unexpressed emotion never dies, so this self-constructed channel of expression is a form of important meditation for me.
When I saw the photos by Old Cheng, I wanted to save them on my phone too. A successful graphic designer and winner of different international awards, such as HK4As Awards, HKDA Show, New York Festivals, Creativity Award, Cannes Festival, USA SPD Publication Design Award, China Times Creative Award and more; he has compiled 75 pieces of works in his latest exhibition, entitled “The Critical Mass”. Featuring his documentation of his daily life on his iPhone, his square-shaped images are given with multi layer notions, as these captures of the mundane are accompanied by his selection of English, as well as Chinese phrases. These images are suddenly made humorous and are personified, not to mention, they subtly reveals the artist’s attitude towards life.
This might appear to be a very simple project, but what is most interesting is how this sense of dialogue has been introduced, not only between the viewer and the image, but also between the subject depicted in the image and the word which is tagged on top. The connotations of the term begin to flood the viewer’s mind, and one would naturally scavenge for traces of the relationship between the word and the image. These static images are suddenly empowered with a sense of creativity and game-like nature, which initiates the viewers to decipher. Other than reinterpreting the scenes of our everyday life, the collection also makes us think a little bit more about the potential meaning of words, and how we can use them to describe, illustrate, and explain things to others.
The Critical Mass
1 March – 31 March 2016
Marble Print & Clay: Flat 05, 7/F, Sing Win factory building, 15-17 Shing Yip St, Kwun Tong
