Lee Kit Commissioned Project for SH Contemporary
Arthub Asia commissioned a new installation by Hong Kong based artist Lee Kit. Following some thoughts by the artist on this new production.
In a city where there is no actual public space (like a big city park) for people to hang around and relax, to hide in the public washroom seems to be a good choice for a moment of solitude. Particularly there are too many shopping malls and buildings in cities. In this case, the situation is in an enclosed art fair in an enclosed city.
In purity, I silently reach for you. Is a ‘public washroom’- like space/setting for people to hide inside, to be away from the crowd of the fair so as to have a private moment. They can lock themselves in the toilet cells as long as they want. They can look into the mirror or look at the objects inside. A toilet/washroom is a private space to every individual, even if not confronting their innermost selves. A public toilet (cell) ridiculously becomes a temporary private space for people, in a hectic social situation. Noise remains outside for a while.
The objects, including the cardboard paintings, ready made objects and even the wall, dialogue between each other so as to create the subtle and quiet atmosphere. People step inside, whatever the cells or walk around the washroom, looking at something somehow indescribable and listening to nothing through the noise around. The objects change the atmosphere but still recall a/some situation in reality, to reveal something concealed.
It will be like a performance. Perhaps I will go there every day, just like some other visitors. Once I hide myself in the locked toilet cells the ‘performance’ begins. But I disappear as well. Somehow I will be enjoying myself in one of the cells without anyone noticing. Visitors are actually ‘performing’ too if they close and lock themselves in the cells. There will be no document remains but a setting, just like something happened almost without a trace.
In every toilet cells, there will be a smell of deodorizer, hand-cream or perfume. Basically the smell recalls the brands logos on the cardboard paintings, and more important, to imply that it seems to be someone just ‘occupied’ the cells. There is actually no toilet in every cells. Everything in this public toilet are artificial, but close to something human, or distant intimacy.
The title is from a song “Recharge and Revolt” by The Raveonettes. From the album Raven in the Grave, 2011.
