In a space-deficient island-city that we live in, the idea of constructing a shelter of sorts with our bare hands can seem like a brilliant novelty, accompanied by thoughts of if-only. While the work involved is rather overwhelming, the process of building from scratch encompasses a sense of liberty that derives from owning our choices.
This luxury is given to prolific Polish artist, Marcin Dudek, in a project titled House Under Four Flags (HUFF) organised by DRIVE. Taking references from the shapes and forms of the architecture at Gillman Barracks, Dudek is constructing a 10 metres x 10 metres wooden sculptural installation that will double as his studio during his time in Singapore.
The instinct to build arises from the artist’s anti-readymade aesthetic, which is not simply a reflection of his passion for craftsmanship, but rather, an everyday agenda depicted in many of his other works.
The title of the project – House Under Four Flags – references the four founding languages of Singapore, and the ‘flag’ is used as a symbol of laying claim to a space or a piece of land. Space as a commodity is a recurring theme in Dudek’s work, one that is particularly relevant in the Singaporean context.
At the end of his residency, Marcin will donate the studio to another artist to continue the dialogue at Gillman Barracks. In the meantime, studio programmes are being organised at HUFF for Art Week 2015. All sessions are free of charge, kindly register your interest with Liying Phng at [email protected]
HOW TO: Engage in a Live Artists Studio
17 January 2015
6 – 8pm
Marcin Dudek will invite the public into his self-made studio for a guided tour, where videos, sketches and some of the artist’s collage work will be on view. Through their interactions with the studio, Dudek hopes to demonstrate that it is possible to carve out an artistic practice
within limited spaces, particularly for artists in Singapore struggling to find the room to be creative. This session is part of an afternoon of artist engagements, beginning with ‘Artist in Conversation: Challenging the Artistic Process’, a conversation between Artist, Maryanto and
Curator Louis Ho from 3pm – 4.30pm, and ‘HOW TO Survive as an Artist’ a talk with Singaporean artist, Ian Woo from 4.30pm – 6pm.
HOW TO: Engage in a Live Artists Studio – ‘No Room to Get Lost’
18 and 25 January 2015
11am – 7 pm
Book making has always been an integral part of Marcin Dudek’s practice – he began his career binding his own catalogues and making zines and graduated to using the process as a tool for understanding and research. During these interactive sessions, you are invited to work
alongside the artist to discover book making for yourself. Feel free to bring in any material that inspires you – recycled magazines, fabric scraps and old cardboard can all be repurposed as material for a beautiful art book.
Kindly book your hour-long session with Marcin in advance with Liying Phng at [email protected].
HOW TO: Creating Art for Public Spaces
22 January 2015
6 – 8pm
Marcin Dudek’s practice is often involved in investigations of the concept of ‘space’, leading to various projects conceived in spaces that encourage public interaction. During this talk he will discuss some of these projects, and the process of working in a public environment. This will include a discussion on the ever-changing notion of ‘public space’ and its implications for artists working in this context.
