Vertical Submarine, Hua Guo Shan Fruit Store or Tiger eating lemon in the sky, monkey calls himself king on the mountain (2015), Mixed media installation, dimensions variable
Taking a playful stance on discussions of language policy and identity in Singapore, this series of work by Vertical Submarine is a tongue-in-cheek preservation of colloquial conversation among Singaporeans. Despite the gradual loss of vernacular language, the presence of lyrical rhymes recited in the local Hokkien dialect still stand as endearing figures of expression in Singapore. The collective’s tribute to local dialect culture is presented to audiences via a selection of rhyming verses as archetypal, olden-day advertisements and illustrations. Taken together, the boldly printed, silk-screen vintage posters, light box, and billboard signages mimic a pseudo marketing campaign. The exhibition serves up a roguish record of the dialect while rekindling a certain fondness for the peculiarities of speech often overheard in coffee shops around the island.
Opening with the artists: Wednesday 23 September 2015, 7pm
Venue: Chan Hampe Galleries, Raffles Hotel Arcade, Unit 01/21, 328 North Bridge Road, Singapore 188719
When: 23 Sep - 18 Oct 2015,
