Thank you ICOSA for hosting Jess Blaustein and my collaborative work for Window Dressing VII!
public (be)longing SGMRT is a series of large textile panels based on a selection of Singapore MRT (subway) stations. Spanning the entire Singapore island with almost 200 kilometers of route, MRT stations are spaces where multiple publics interchange and also gather. They are connecting points both literally and figuratively. Taking visual and experiential direction from the MRT locations, we created the panels as tactile mapping devices for wandering and reflection about each station’s history and surroundings. Wander and discovery were critical to our research and process in 2017.
Traveling and exhibiting this series now, three years later, in today’s context of Covid-19, feels somehow strange and antithetical to our earlier expressions of public urban space. Busy urban interchanges have become foreboding.
Underground and overground tubes carry risk, not the wonders of improvised connections. It feels oddly fitting that textile maps made for open interaction and touch hang silently behind a glass wall—almost like an open casket. We find ourselves longing for shared public spaces and dreaming of unplanned interactions with strangers.
Exhibition on view 24 hours/day
We’re very excited about Window Dressing VII, featuring Rakhee Jain Desai and Jessica Blaustein: public (be)longing SGMRT, which will be on view 24 hours a day in our front window August 10th thru 17th.
public (be)longing SGMRT is a series of large textile panels based on a selection of Singapore MRT (subway) stations. Spanning the entire Singapore island with almost 200 kilometers of route, MRT stations are spaces where multiple publics interchange and also gather. They are connecting points both literally and figuratively. Taking visual and experiential direction from the MRT locations, we created the panels as tactile mapping devices for wandering and reflection about each station’s history and surroundings. Wander and discovery were critical to our research and process in 2017.
Traveling and exhibiting this series now, three years later, in today’s context of Covid-19, feels somehow strange and antithetical to our earlier expressions of public urban space. Busy urban interchanges have become foreboding. Underground and overground tubes carry risk, not the wonders of improvised connections. It feels oddly fitting that textile maps made for open interaction and touch hang silently behind a glass wall—almost like an open casket. We find ourselves longing for shared public spaces and dreaming of unplanned interactions with strangers.
Image:
Panels (x5) 36 in. x 72 in
Japanese Cotton, Cotton Voile, Japanese Double Gauze, Indian Brocade & Indian Bhatik (Upcycled), Offcuts, Thread
#windowdressing #alternativegalleryspace #icosacollective #artduringcovid #austinartgallery #singaporemrt @rjdartist@bplotstudio
Last week was amazing! Rich discussions, fantastic art and lots of learning and sharing. This outstanding exhibition at Espacio 23 helped us further integrate many of the readings and dialogue of the week. It was very special to speak with visiting artists Raimond Chaves and Gilda Mantilla about their work. #Repost @nomad_mfa with @get_repost
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A wonderful culminating day of Art & Healing class, led by @murielfoto , as we visited @elespacio23 and discussed ideas for our student artists’ own art and healing related projects.
