Through multiple one-to-one conversations, students are tasked to explain
selected curatorial propositions, and simultaneously shape and reshape their
positioning and perspectives. Facilitated by Heman Chong, the format takes
after experiential performances devised for students most recently being Advanced Studies... (Ten Lessons for Life)
in 2012, complicating the dynamics of orating and listening, teaching and
learning. Textual fragments containing curatorial propositions and their
references will be assigned to each participant at the beginning of the
workshop to aid preparations.
Each participant is expected to carry their textual fragments with them
through the duration of Curating Lab 2012 and continuously reflect and respond
to these fragments by way of blogging online and discussion.
--
1
It is common
practice that artists collaborate with other artists to create ideas and art
works. Increasingly, such approaches are deployed between artists and curators.
The exhibition produced out of such contexts can sometimes be regarded as art
works. It is not uncommon for artists to be curators, and curators to be
artists. Explore the notions of a 'curatorial community'.
2
Information, as a body of knowledges and ideas, is
synonymous to the 'internet' landscape. Its volume and accessibility provides a
readymade resource for curators to mine. Appropriating sets of knowledge as a
basis for exhibitions is commonplace, often adopted as a predefined strategy.
The internet and its 'raw materials', in its organization and contents, can
also be readily assimilated into an exhibition.
3
More often than not, ambiguity - as seen in images,
objects, or situations - prompt a certain lack. We tend to disregard its
utility. Perhaps another way of thinking about the ambiguous are the potentials
it may accommodate; to regard ambiguity not simply as something opposed to
clarity, but to consider its indistinct form(s) as ways to locate a set of
meanings within the work or exhibition. Explore the usefulness of ambiguity.
4
Books, e-books, websites, artists books - a collection of
images and text spread over linear and non-linear pages are valid curatorial
forms. They also play on the differences (and similarities) between
document(ation) and material(ization). Compare this to the exhibitionary.
5
Think of the word 'Concept'. Refer to the word
'Conceptual'. Think of the word 'Performance'. Refer to the word
'Performativity'. We live in a reality that requires certain definitions in order for
us to identify with things on a symbolic level. However, such
definitions have this effect of closing up situations in which we can
think about things. Identify the problems involving language and
exhibitions.
6
We are witness to a number of exhibitions and art works
that involve commentary or reactions to socio-political issues. Art as
activism has always been a highly contested arena, with many varied
perspectives on the multiple issues involved. Think about an area in
which art and politics had often come into contact, and state the various
positions and reasonings for such positions.
