My wife and I were in the process moving out of Kuala Lumpur to start a new life elsewhere when the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) is enforced again. Like everyone else, suddenly our plans are delayed and we are stuck here again. But life goes on. So while rummaging and packing our stuff into boxes, I unearthed an artwork made 5 years ago that expresses my feeling of being trapped in the uncertain political and economical situation at that time. That time passed and the artwork was never shown in public and almost forgotten.

The title of this artwork 肉在砧板上 (Meat on the Chopping Block) is a phrase which means “caught in a perilous situation where there is no escape unless the other party is merciful”. The precarious way in which the installation is balanced together reflects the state of imbalance and anxiety I feel.

The main materials for this installation are used due to their symbolic meanings:
1. Watercolour on chopping boards:
I like the idea of the vanished medium of “water” in “watercolour”. What’s left is the “colour”, The “water” made its contribution and is gone. Like art, so much of what happens is unseen. I also like the idea of juxtaposing the ‘softness’ of watercolour against the hardness of the chopping board, an unforgiving surface where the physical body is being violently reduced.

2. Meat hooks
Meat hooks function to hang meat for display, for sale. It fascinates me that people take for granted how unappetizing meat looks displayed that way but still willing to buy and eat them. For me, meat hooks also allude to physical harm and pain, which in turn allude to people being hung, alluding further to crucifixes. However the crucifix were once a display of violent punishment now become a symbol of sacrifice and salvation. I like the idea how displays could change meaning with time and repeated viewing. Something negative now could be positive in the future and vice versa.

Strangely, recovering this artwork now uncannily gives it new life and meaning. A series of serendipitous encounters with Kongsi KL led to this display. The vast and empty interior accentuate and elevate the loneliness, the helplessness, the unseen virus, and politikuses and other vermin.

 

Just hang on!

Chang Yoong Chia