Curatorial Statement
Both collecting contemporary art and directing a well-curated restaurant can be considered acts of mapping our world. Each comprises multi-layered structures, utilising a variety of sources to draw on the past, present, and future. The outcome of each process provides a carefully-selected cultural stimulation that can be cognitively experienced, potentially re-configuring our senses.
Considering both as sophisticated curatorial endeavours, the idea of introducing new creative voices into these well-balanced ensembles seems confrontational. However, what if an artist-curator re-applies an overarching, or even humble, curatorial framework to already ‘curated’ content? Does this only create a nuisance, or is there the chance for multiple personas and webs of parallel interconnection (or fragmentation) to arise?
‘Collecting contemporary’ is a multi-centric platform that reflects collectors’ socio-cultural focus and the realities of the contemporary world presented in the collections, while also embracing the arcane nexus of artworks and artists therein. The amassed artworks construct a polyphonic topography, using the standpoints of each artist or artwork as entry points to a pluralistic world.
Similarly, fabulous dishes, intricate tableware, sophisticated furniture, and architectural or interior spatial considerations, along with art, are agents for an immersive cultural experience in a restaurant. In this setting, much like in a gallery, guests have an important role as protagonists, bringing their own stories and histories. Together, all combine to form an orchestrated polyrhythm.
Those two types of ‘curated content’ (art collections and Duddell’s) may be treated as modules to facilitate a new curatorial framework by means of a series of sculptural pedestals, which are inserted in between the curatorial contexts. These respond to the differing contexts with a wide array of segments and characters within each module.
‘Another Pair of Eyes’ is a single compressed layer, so to speak, where the balance of both discreet and obvious protagonists resonates with a unique cultural cohesion to create a kaleidoscopic outcome. I take on the role of artist-curator, working with artworks from the collections of Jehan Chu, William Lim, Cindy Chua-Tay, and Michael Xufu Huang, and with various elements in Duddell’s.
Yutaka Inagawa, Artist-curator
On: 7 November 2019 through 2 August 2020 (extended)
At: Duddell’s (3/F, Shanghai Tang Mansion, 1 Duddell Street, Central, Hong Kong)
Glass Magazine features Another Pair of Eyes
2019 Glass Man Winter Issue (p152-p153) by Oliver Krug
Collector: Jehan Chu - Selected artists from the collection:
Naoya Hatakeyama
Izumi Kato
Nick Mauss
Lau Ching Ping
Stanley Wong
Collector: William Lim - Selected artists from the collection:
Nadim Abbas
Dexter Dalwood
Yutaka Inagawa
Taro Izumi
Ryohei Usui
Selected personal objects
Collector: Cindy Chua-Tay - Selected artists from the collection:
Cindy Sharman
Do Ho Suh
Rachel Whiteread
Troika
Clare Rojas
Marlo Pascual
Collector: Michael Xufu Huang - Selected artists from the collection:
Dario Guccio
Yngve Holen
Phillip Lai
Issy Wood
He Xiangyu
Zhang Zipiao
(* In alphabetical order of artists’ (sur)names)
Curated by: Yutaka Inagawa
Organized by Duddell’s
Principal art patron: Ruinart
Art logistics partner: Helutrans Artmove
Media Partner: Glass Magazine
all photos courtesy of Duddell’s
Installation shot from Another Pair of Eyes (Library at Duddell's)
Installation shot from Another Pair of Eyes showing the work of Stanley Wong (from Jehan Chu Collection), Yutaka Inagawa (from William Lim Collection) and Russian Doll Souvenir / Chinese Ceramic Plate / Japanese Box by Manee Tomic (from William Lim Collection)
Installation shot from Another Pair of Eyes showing the work of Do Ho Suh (from Cindy Chua-Tay Collection), Rachel Whiteread (from Cindy Chua-Tay Collection) and Taro Izumi (from William Lim Collection)
Installation shot from Another Pair of Eyes showing the work of Cindy Sherman (from Cindy Chua-Tay) and Marlo Pascual (from Cindy Chua-Tay)
Installation shot from Another Pair of Eyes showing the work of Do Ho Suh
(from Cindy Chua-Tay) and He Xiangyu (from Cindy Chua-Tay)
Installation shot from Another Pair of Eyes (Library at Duddell's)
Installation shot from Another Pair of Eyes showing the Sculptural Pedestal
Installation shot from Another Pair of Eyes showing the work of Taro Izumi (from William Lim) and Cindy Sherman (from Cindy Chua-Tay)
Installation shot from Another Pair of Eyes showing the Antique Wedgwood Teapot (from William Lim) and Studies for a water tab fixture by William Lim
Installation shot from Another Pair of Eyes showing the work of Stanley Wong (from Jehan Chu)
Installation shot from Another Pair of Eyes showing the work of Ryohei Usui (from William Lim)
Installation shot from Another Pair of Eyes showing Japanese Box by Manee Tomic (from William Lim) and Studies for a water tab fixture by William Lim
Installation shot from Another Pair of Eyes showing the work of Izumi Kato (from Jehan Chu), Naoya Hatakeyama (from Jehan Chu), Phillip Lai (from Michael Xufu Huang), Troika (from Cindy Chua-Tay) , Clare Rojas (from Cindy Chua-Tay), and Yngve Holen (from Michael Xufu Huang) * from left
Installation shot from Another Pair of Eyes showing the work of Nick Mauss (from Jehan Chu) *left
Installation shot from Another Pair of Eyes showing the work of Issy Wood (from Michael Xufu Huang) and Sculptural Pedestal by Yutaka Inagawa
Installation shot from Another Pair of Eyes showing the work of Zhang Zipiao (from Michael Xufu Huang), Dario Guccio (from Michael Xufu Huang), and Sculptural Pedestal by Yutaka Inagawa.
Installation shot from Another Pair of Eyes showing the work of Lau Ching Ping (from Jehan Chu), Zhang Zipiao (from Michael Xufu Huang), Dario Guccio (from Michael Xufu Huang), and Sculptural Pedestal by Yutaka Inagawa.
Sculptural Pedestal by Yutaka Inagawa