Man Ray: When Objects Dream

 

Man Ray: When Objects Dream (Metropolitan Museum of Art NYC, Sept 14, 2025 to Feb 1, 2026) is an exhibition that speaks volume on the multi-faceted talents of the artist, who is better known as a photographer.  The curated works comprised a revelatory display of Dada, Surrealism, photographic experimentations or light installations.   The exhibition design exploited in full on concepts of light and shadow, aperture openings and vintage points for settings.  It was a wonderful occasion to revisit and cast new lights on the artist’s achievements.

 

Footprints | 51°30’28”N, 0°7’40”W

 

Footprints | 51°30’28”N, 0°7’40”W

2021-25

Pigmented cement, copper flakes

32x32x3cm, 12.5”x12.5”x1.2” (LxWxD)

 

Through memories of central London, England - its buildings, monuments and streetscapes, the artist is reconstructing them on a prescribed horizon.  By showing these architectonic elements in three dimensionality whilst suppressing others, this work is the artist’s personal interpretation of the city.

 

Between space and time, it might help generate narratives that resonate with audiences.  However, there are negations within familiarity on this work.  The cityscape is only partially presented.   By exploring on the artwork, viewers may form connections with their experiences in the city, or indeed their own environs.

 

Since completion in 2021, this artwork has continued to instill thoughts for the artist.  The opportune calling of an archaeological layer is there to fill in on the time-honored mosaic of the city.  Through the act of chipping away cement from the cast and reinstating the 18^th century building footprints-in-parts, the artist is mentally traversing different time zones that fire the imagination.

Archaeological 'Discovery'

 

An archaeological 'work' is underway on 

Footprints | 51°30’28”N, 0°7’40”W. 

Revisit this site for progress and completion.

Cultural Expressions for CHANGE

 

Expedition Self (on show in the gallery)

2024

21.5x16x21cm/8.25x6.25x8.5in (HxWxD)

Paper collage, acrylic on cement cast from mold

Take a trip to discover oneself – this is how people used travelling to explore the world and, at the same time, to understand, re-establish or find themselves.  In truth, to know who we are is to reinforce our identities within the community.  Today, more people are exploring alternatives to sharpen these senses in pursuit of the same goal.  

This paper collage and painted sculpture draws inspiration from Teatro del Mondo* by Aldo Rossi (1931-97). Dramas were held in this floating theatre amid journeys on the open sea. The architect used the discourse of travelling and stage to signify life’s journeys for his passengers. Whilst examining the duality of realism and fantasy through this toy-like theatre, one may redefine anchors of one’s own existence in order to project afresh into society.

 Beyond Venice, showboats like this could be found across continents - from the rivers of the US to the waterways in Asia.  They formed the sources of imagination, dialogues and convergence.

 

*Teatro del Mondo (Theatre of the World) was created for the Venice Architecture Biennale in 1980.  This moving theatre was later transported to Dubrovnik for the International Theatre Festival in the same year.  Through the play of collage and setting, this artwork seeks to open up mediums much needed for confluence of ideas and communications.

Many Lives of Load-bearing

Many Lives of Load-bearing

2025

15x16x37.5cm/6x6.3x14.8in (HxWxD)

Cement, steel nails, embroidery, fabric particles and acrylic.

They appear in groups and are seen in solitude to mark venerable gestures.

Columns rise, hold and perhaps falter.  They stand with resolve, are built for weight and endurance.  But an objective is not a promise.  Time weathers and purpose eludes with age.  A column's strength may have its fragility foretold.  This work examines the lives of columns as support and symbol - of vitality, permanence and their flickering existences.

To immerse within and let water take over our eyes: it can be poured onto the pod to glide through the crevices to anoint the columns.