Stable Attractions - a Cross-Cultural Collaboration

15 October 2024

The High Commission of Singapore in collaboration with BLVCK BLOCK presented an art exhibition, Compression, curated by Singapore and Singapore-based artists. Taking reference from the structural term, compression pillar, which bears the weight of a structure. Compression was a micro-exhibition that explored the intricate relationship between identity and the concept of home, examining how these elements are shaped, confined, and re-defined through the act of compression. The larger exhibition, Stable Attraction, takes place on 19-27 October at Constitution Hill, Johannesburg.

Stable Attraction delves into the intricate dynamics of cross-cultural collaboration, bringing together artists from Singapore and South Africa in a residency program designed to foster a creative dialogue. Central to this exchange is the notion of balance—Stable Attraction takes reference from the concept "stable balance of attractive and repulsive forces," inspired by covalent bonds in chemistry. This metaphor reflects the delicate equilibrium needed to merge distinct perspectives, practices, and cultural influences, resulting in works that resonate with both harmony and tension. The program pairs artists with diverse backgrounds and practices, encouraging them to explore new cultural landscapes and artistic environments.

The residency culminates in this showcase where the synthesis of cross-cultural exchanges becomes evident. The pieces created for Stable Attraction embody the push and pull of different artistic voices, mirroring the complexity of the bonds formed between the participants. From painting, to video and sculptural installations, the mediums of these 6 multidisciplinary artists will intersect and collide, producing fruitful and innovative new artworks.

Pairing artists, Lizzie Wee with Mamma Sibiya, Dylan Chan with Sam Ngcobo, and Isa Pengskul with Solomzi Moleketi, based on their respective practices, adds a layer of educational exchange to the residency aside from just sparking productive dialogue between the artists.

Between Lizzie Wee and Mamma Sibiya, there is a common medium of the moving image and an interest in capturing the ties and relationships formed within a specific community in their films. While Wee’s practice expresses itself through both sculpture and video, the themes of belonging and identity tie them together, which is where Sibiya and Wee have explored further. 

Dylan Chan and Sam Ngcobo are both artists who seek to expand their understanding of the body and its relational dynamics within their respective contexts, through the use of materials which are at times both familiar and uncanny. 

Meanwhile, Isa Pengskul with Solomzi Moleketi, who were former studio mates, delve deeper into their working relationship while developing new work. Pengskul’s conceptual responsive works to nature echo the sentiments in Moleketi’s paintings of various landscapes in response to the land around him. The exhibition serves as a testament to the power of creative partnerships, revealing the depth and richness that emerge when diverse forces come together in a balanced and dynamic exchange.

Programming
Saturday 19th October - 12pm - Special Preview
Saturday 19th October - 2pm - Exhibition opens to the
public - closes at 7pm
Saturday 19th October - 3pm - Curator Tour
Sunday 20th October - 3pm - Curator Tour
Sunday 20th October - 4:30pm - Artist Panel Talk
Exhibition runs from the 19th of Oct - 27th Oct

BLVCK BLOCK Digital