His work consists of readymade objects to literally portray his interest and thoughts. His ideas are easily accessible and his approach towards the issue is direct. I like his work because of his clever arrangement of the easily recognisable objects.
At first look, this work actually looks like a bunch of random objects being put together, and the engine makes it very boring to look at as it makes it look even more like the usual pile of junk you see around the city these days. Machines. However, the artist has successfully achieved his intention. It is easily interpreted.
Salleh jaapar uses the old ready-made items such as the old wooden tables and the old generator as his artwork so as to be able to show not only the difference in the past and the present way of classroom environment but also the the fact that what we have learnt and are studying actually do have influences of the colonial masters and what we study actually affects the way we see and think about the things around us. He managed to capture the essence of what he was trying to convey to the viewers.
Well, salleh jaapar uses simple and readymade items. It's quite a bore looking at it, but i suppose that is how he wants to show it.. you knw, mechanized learning = boring, cause we never seems to have our own opinions(association with interesting). This can be clearly seen thru the use of the old generator, f-clamp (or is it a c-clamp?) and books leading to the head of a bust. Again, it's really direct interpretation, hence.. i dont like it. I think that art is something that is simplified yet complex at the same time. This art work just make it seems complex in looks, but is actually simple in conveying it's message. Thus, too simple and too boring (and common).
Peggy, you mean to say that this artwork is too literal (when you say "...really direct interpretation"). That is, the books, generator and the clamp all refer to colonial way of learning. There is little room for the viewer to come up with naunces of meaning or their own interpretation. That's why you say it's boring. However, you need to elaborate. Give me a comparison with other successful (in your opinion) artists who used readymades.
1. The artwork comprises of readymade objects such as wooden desks, books, a plaster cast head and motor. The work shows how the machine is connected to the books and then to the brain, as though current is running through the metal rods, like how knowledge is being transmitted.
2. The title "Mechanized learning", a juxtaposition of rigidity and impalpability. The rigidity of this work can be identified the square wooden desk, rectangular books, square academic cap and most importantly the machine. This conflates with learning as learning is supposed to be spontaneous and exciting, not insipid and unbending. The person, represented by a plaster cast head, seems like he has no control over what he is learning, everything is planned and precise. Japar wants to portray the unquestioning absorption of information and the limits of rationalist inquiry as the basis for true learning.
3. I do not like this work as my perception of learning should not be restricted to just books and rigid way of learning. Another juxtaposition is the machine and human beings, why are human beings compared to machines? A human mind is extraordinary and has full of imagination, definitely, learning should not be mechanized.
His work consists of readymade objects to literally portray his interest and thoughts. His ideas are easily accessible and his approach towards the issue is direct. I like his work because of his clever arrangement of the easily recognisable objects.
ReplyDeleteAt first look, this work actually looks like a bunch of random objects being put together, and the engine makes it very boring to look at as it makes it look even more like the usual pile of junk you see around the city these days. Machines. However, the artist has successfully achieved his intention. It is easily interpreted.
ReplyDeleteSalleh jaapar uses the old ready-made items such as the old wooden tables and the old generator as his artwork so as to be able to show not only the difference in the past and the present way of classroom environment but also the the fact that what we have learnt and are studying actually do have influences of the colonial masters and what we study actually affects the way we see and think about the things around us. He managed to capture the essence of what he was trying to convey to the viewers.
ReplyDeleteWell, salleh jaapar uses simple and readymade items. It's quite a bore looking at it, but i suppose that is how he wants to show it.. you knw, mechanized learning = boring, cause we never seems to have our own opinions(association with interesting). This can be clearly seen thru the use of the old generator, f-clamp (or is it a c-clamp?) and books leading to the head of a bust. Again, it's really direct interpretation, hence.. i dont like it. I think that art is something that is simplified yet complex at the same time. This art work just make it seems complex in looks, but is actually simple in conveying it's message. Thus, too simple and too boring (and common).
ReplyDeletePeggy, you mean to say that this artwork is too literal (when you say "...really direct interpretation"). That is, the books, generator and the clamp all refer to colonial way of learning. There is little room for the viewer to come up with naunces of meaning or their own interpretation. That's why you say it's boring. However, you need to elaborate. Give me a comparison with other successful (in your opinion) artists who used readymades.
ReplyDelete***YING LING SAID:
ReplyDelete1. The artwork comprises of readymade objects such as wooden desks, books, a plaster cast head and motor. The work shows how the machine is connected to the books and then to the brain, as though current is running through the metal rods, like how knowledge is being transmitted.
2. The title "Mechanized learning", a juxtaposition of rigidity and impalpability. The rigidity of this work can be identified the square wooden desk, rectangular books, square academic cap and most importantly the machine. This conflates with learning as learning is supposed to be spontaneous and exciting, not insipid and unbending. The person, represented by a plaster cast head, seems like he has no control over what he is learning, everything is planned and precise. Japar wants to portray the unquestioning absorption of information and the limits of rationalist inquiry as the basis for true learning.
3. I do not like this work as my perception of learning should not be restricted to just books and rigid way of learning. Another juxtaposition is the machine and human beings, why are human beings compared to machines? A human mind is extraordinary and has full of imagination, definitely, learning should not be mechanized.