Sandcastle
The show is called Sandcastle, a term that evokes childhood play. It’s a fitting title for an exhibition that includes a cinema crafted from cardboard, a woman who literally gets covered in dirt, and rotating piles of poo. But what does it all mean, and is any of it any good? I’m not sure I can definitively answer either of those questions, but I can certainly explain my encounter.
I started in the middle, because my eyes were drawn to the bright red cinema seats and popcorn machine. I’m a movie buff, so seeing these iconic items faithfully recreated in cardboard sparked inner joy. I sat and caught the end of Doux Rêves by Grace Penton (@artyfacegrace) — a short, absurd romcom spoof best described as a mash-up of Amélie and Monthy Python. You can watch it online, and be sure to stay for the end-credits outtake.
Upon entering the main room I was immediately drawn to the vibrant, 4-metre wide tapestry made from fuzzy PLA filaments by Jia Xi Li (@liuliandaxia). The main composition is a still life with windows, flowers and random stacks of loo roll. But the colours and textures and the right side that splinters off into abstract ends like the unfinished Death Star seem to be wildly at odds with the domestic title: Home Landscape. Is this a broken home or simply an unfinished work? I tried to focus on that but got distracted by the poo.
Spinning piles of poo. Giant vases topped with peachy buttocks from which poo emerges like a worm from an apple. Paintings filled with poo-ified art history references. All this Doodooism by Dohyun Baek (@art_baek_) would be utterly disgusting were it not so silly and comically unrealistic. But it is gross because, well, it’s poo. Once the novelty factor wore off I headed back to the entrance to watch Sun Oh (@sun0hh) lying inside a glass box, almost entirely camouflaged by the natural elements inside. You could make out the contours of her body when the moss heaved up and down as she breathed. The write-up says it’s about the expectations and pressures that build up in relationships. Given the title of the show I couldn’t help but recall childhood memories of burying my sister in our backyard sandbox.
The Curators’ Commentary indicates the show is based on a movement by South Korean bloggers to “destigmatise the idea of having multiple selves… allowing people the freedom to self-express numerous facets of their identify”. I’m fully on board with anything that enables people to explore their inner freak, but it can be hard to appreciate what someone’s core identity actually is in a show that only presents one particular approach from each artist. I suspect most visitors, like me, will walk away associating Grace Penton with quirky moviemaking, Dohyun Baek as “that poo artist”, and Sun Oh as the woman who buries herself in a box.
Does it matter that I’m creating caricatures of them in my head based on the limited work that I’ve seen? They made me smile, they made me curious, some of them made me worry (for their sanity!) but the overall experience was engaging. More importantly, each of the artists presented a bold and unapologetic vision that represents one part of themself, and that makes me want to see what else each of them has to offer.
Plan your visit
‘Sandcastle’ runs until 13 August.
Visit aptstudios.org and follow @aptgallery on Instagram for more info about the venue.
🖼️ Want more art? Visit the What’s On page to see a list of recommended shows, sorted by closing date. Don’t miss ‘em!