《1 : 1》project\n
The foremost exciting news I want to share with you is the project 《1 : 1》. The idea seeded around six months ago. I wanted to repurpose the space I have at my studio, compartmentalising it into a working area and an open space as an experimental playground for exploring how we can present and activate photobooks as artworks. Since the space that can be drawn is only 100 square feet, it was conceptualised as \"one photobook, one exhibition\" - using the space to create the world of one photobook.
\nThe first photobook that will be exhibiting is Origin by Victoria Li, opening this Sat 19th Oct at 5pm HKT. It is the newest version of the same photobook that I did an interview with her (the interview was published in issue #2). At that time, I felt it would be a great photobook to work with for this project. I am super grateful for Victoria's enthusiasm and trust for our collaboration on this.
\nAs part of the exhibition, there will also be a sharing session by Li on her creative process from photo narration to photobook-making, and a casual discussion session on conversing together experiences of being diasporic and ideas of its relationship to roots. If you're in Hong Kong, come join us and sign up for the events!
\nSince the summer, Phoboko has been quiet because all team members were away. But we are back and will have our #34 photobook club session, this time collaborating with Koon Man Space! It is a community space which is recently refurbished from the former Koon Man School at Chuen Lung village. The focus of this session will be on 'ecologies' - we will share a variety of photobook expressions of this topic and think about questions together, such as, how does one system (e.g. human and nature) impact the other? When do we recognise that? We will also take walks around the village and drink tea together while reading and discussing the curated set of photobooks. Let's experience nature and read books together, register here.
\nLastly, it's really nice to be in the role of an artist again and be commissioned to create new works. This journey really gave me clarity on my creative processes and what \"art\" it is that I care about the most. Thank you Carol for inviting me to be one of the fifteen artists for this year's HKIPF exhibition. The opening ceremony will be on the 7th Nov 7pm HKT at Hong Kong Art Centre. See you there!
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\nThese concepts of art have been on my mind for quite some time. I wrote about my understanding of them around 2 years ago. Lately, they popped up again, maybe it's due to the surge of related exhibitions and projects in the current Hong Kong scene, such as Sonic Blossom by Lee Mingwei at M+, Open the Box: Home Sweet Home at Tai Kwun, Art is Land programme for nurturing teaching artists to work with their chosen community, 4orties and 8ighties, Mother and Daughter Community Project, Jockey Club ARTISTRY Creative Aging Project etc (to name a few recent ones), or maybe, I'm just more consciously aware of them.
\nFor me, there's a lot to digest, and a lot to unpack from them, e.g. who are the audience and beneficiaries? who are the funders? what is it more about - art, social engagement or a particular community? where is the human connection part being placed, what's the scale and intensity of it? how and where are these works/projects produced, presented and promoted? what is their intent and whose intent is it? is it really about the intent or is it being politicised for something else? who holds the power? and then, to relate it back to photography, how can we use photography here? what roles would it play and how?
\nSo, all of this is something I am churning on. It's also because this is the kind of work that I want to create and produce more, hence I'm studying them more meticulously and doing more related readings. If you have any thoughts, ideas, research, readings, suggestions, comments about these concepts, or know any related works/projects, please share them with me! I'd love to learn about them!
\n(email is always a good choice :))
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\nOkay - turns out this newsletter is not that short after all :P. Anyway, the next issue will be back to the previous format, sharing curated content on photography and photobooks. It'll be an exciting one I can assure you, because I've already started planning for it :).
\nWrite to you again soon. Take care.
\nLove, Michelle
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\n\n | \n This newsletter, On Looking, is created and curated by me, Michelle Chan. I'm a relational artist, photographer, writer, and founder of Phoboko living and working in Hong Kong. \nWith each issue, it is a way for me to curate and synthesise the materials that I find inspiring, and intentionally spend time to practice looking at them mindfully so to share and connect with you. I also organise phoboko sessions in bringing people together to think more critically through photobooks. \nIf you like what you are reading and the work that I do, please feel free to share it. You are also most welcome to support me via PayMe (HK) or PayPal (abroad). \n | \n\n |
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