Useful Fictions
15 Dec 2013 - 19 Jan 2014
Grey Projects
6B Kim Tian Road
Tiong Bahru
Singapore 169246
This exhibition of works on paper takes its title from the philosopher Hans Vaihinger’s notion that most human concepts are simply useful fictions. The term has now expanded in meaning to also encompass the enduring significance of fictional narratives and meta-narratives in human culture and history.
The works look at our attraction to flawed fictional narratives, how knowledge and information are accessed and how we morph multiple bits of data into generating ideas, belief and useful fictions. As microcosms of intersecting ideas and events through history, each is seemingly self-contained, yet together they form a mesh of intersecting narratives. Drawing here then, is the visual equivalent of an oral history, where the process of narrating is as significant as the final ‘product’.
There will also be a publication, slated for launch on 10 May 2014, which involves (among other things) a discussion between 4 writers (Jason Wee, Dana Lam, Amanda Lee Koe and Shubigi Rao) about the nature of drawing as medium and narrative-builder in art.
A sampling below:
The works look at our attraction to flawed fictional narratives, how knowledge and information are accessed and how we morph multiple bits of data into generating ideas, belief and useful fictions. As microcosms of intersecting ideas and events through history, each is seemingly self-contained, yet together they form a mesh of intersecting narratives. Drawing here then, is the visual equivalent of an oral history, where the process of narrating is as significant as the final ‘product’.
There will also be a publication, slated for launch on 10 May 2014, which involves (among other things) a discussion between 4 writers (Jason Wee, Dana Lam, Amanda Lee Koe and Shubigi Rao) about the nature of drawing as medium and narrative-builder in art.
A sampling below: