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Reflection on Interceptions

 

Based on the three themes- dissonance, resistance and disruption, the artworks selected by the curatorial team aim to highlight social issues that fall under the three themes. While I was on duty on all three days, I received various feedback from visitors and friends who attended the exhibition. Friends who were not from Communications and New Media told me that they enjoyed the exhibition and the issues raised, one even told me he left the exhibition with an increased awareness of the plight of migrant workers. However, most reflected that the exhibition lacked a smooth flow and a link to the theme of Interceptions. According to one visitor, she commented that certain artworks like 'Revisioning' and 'Unpretty' had obvious links to the three themes but 'Dandelion' and the featured board games did not have a clear relation to the themes. 

 

Reflecting on the cohesiveness of the artworks, I can understand why there was a break in understanding during the interaction with the artworks. Visitors were not introduced to the three themes when they entered the exhibition space and did not know what the term 'Interceptions' meant. Labels were not clearly indicative of the themes and provided little help to the visitors' meaning making process. Labels in the form of captions could have been better exploited to give a better sense of what visitors will engage with. For instance, before one enters the gallery, a description of Interceptions and the three themes would provide visitors with a broad overview of the exhibition and a context of the interception of Interceptions. This would allow them to form meanings that are close to the meanings we attach to Interceptions. 

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Additionally, certain artworks like 'Dandelion' and the Science Fiction showcase did not seem to fit into the theme as well as the others although both were interactive and interesting artworks. These works may seem slightly forced since both exhibits were aesthetically attractive and would generate the interest of visitors. Thus, excluding them from the showcase would be a pity. However, when considering the artworks, it is necessary to think of the meanings attached to the artworks and whether they string well with the other artworks in the exhibition. Without these considerations, visitors may carry these doubts throughout the exhibition, thereby experiencing a disrupted flow of the experience.

 

Other exhibits like 'Revisioning' was a hit favourite among the visitors given the interactivity and clear relation to the theme. It highlighted the stereotypes and double standards placed on individuals, which was proven to be very impactful as visitors can adjust their handheld lens to view different judgments shown on the artwork. This popular piece was indeed enjoyable and aesthetically pleasing due to the issues raised and the fact that it was interactive. Interactivity is a determining factor in deciding if the artwork is enjoyable, based on the responses I received. This element is only increasingly important given the multimedia-rich environment that we live in. Exhibitions are incorporating more forms of digital media that invite a two-way communication and interaction between the exhibit and the visitor. This would have been very different in the past where art museums are donned with a 'Do not touch' sign which only allows for a one-way communication. With Interceptions, a digital art and culture showcase, it gives us the chance to explore artworks which are not confined to a one-way transfer of knowledge and communication. What I found useful and engaging to the visitors are the self-made response boards that were allocated beside certain artworks to invite them to pen down their answers. One response board asked visitors, 'what do you fear the most?' and the answers written with a lipstick were interesting and thought-provoking. Some wrote capitalism, the fear of death, vegetables while some noted down their friends' names. These were not just platforms for visitors to participate in the exhibition but were important materials for the practice-based research process. It gave insights into the thoughts that were encountered during the exhibition and their willingness to share intimate answers in such a space.

 

With the various responses collated from the feedback forms and casual conversations, it served as useful data for future improvements as well as for understanding the research process and the strategies that were employed. Overall, it was an enjoyable experiencing being part of the events team, promoting Interceptions to the public and boasting about the privilege and opportunity to be part of this module!