11 December 2015
Edited excerpts:
About the exhibition
What is the inspiration for Beneath the Moon?
To put it simply, the moon is an allegory, like “under the sun”. I wanted the title to be poetic, so I chose the moon. Until today, we can only see one side of the moon. Everybody can only see one side, because the moon doesn’t spin on its axis. I used that as an allegory between Asia and Europe, we think we know each other, we read about each other every day, we read the history, but really, we don’t know. So now, we meet. These artists will meet. It is a poetic take on our relationship, the East and the West.
I also wanted to show the different practices amongst the artists and to introduce it in Singapore as it is also a centre where a lot of people come to see this kind of exhibitions, and discuss the approaches to artmaking.
Can you give us three reasons why we should not miss this exhibition?
It is the first project by Palais de Tokyo in Singapore. If you never have the chance to go to Paris to visit Palais de Tokyo, this is the closest you will get (apart from the actual imposing architecture).
The second – to see the works these artists put together, whether it is the French or the Asian ones. I have had comments from the French artists, that they were excited to know who else was on the list from France and they told me that my curatorial selection is very unusual because the French curators will not place them together with certain artists. It doesn’t happen in France and it is happening here, so you must come to see these new generation of contemporary artists!
Mapa Mundi (detail), 2015, by Oanh Phi Phi.
Third reason, maybe because it is my project? [laughs] I think many people have been curious since I left and with all the announcements and fanfare, you can check out the exhibition and decide for yourself what’s the big deal about this guy. Is he really that good?
Khai and the artist, Ade Darmawan, explaining the idea behind the artwork to the guests at the Sous la lune/Beneath the moon exhibition.
What is the difference between the art environment in France and Singapore?
When you are living in Paris as an artist, as a curator, you’re always in an encounter with all the curators in the world, artists in residence, all the big art fairs, so you have access to all these things. You get to experience good exhibitions, good artworks all year round, whereas here in Singapore, you get a blockbuster show once in a while.
Any tips for artists who want to make it big?
I would like, as a curator, to see young artists here be more adventurous even when they are still students. To go out, organise, don’t sit and wait for curators to pick you. The annual shows, i.e. diploma show, graduation show – it is not enough. You need to go out there, be brave, speak in public, don’t speak in a confined/safe zone. You must make mistakes, must go out, show yourself – that is the only way.
Cover image: Behind-the-scenes of Khai and his team setting up the artwork, Wadjet (King Cobra), 2014 by Marguerite Humeau for Sous la lune/Beneath the moon exhibition.
