Malaysian contemporary artist Andrew Pok’s latest site-specific installation at The Godown in Kuala Lumpur sounds deceptively simple: it is a maze made out of welded fences that stand 1.83m (6 feet) in height – the same kind of fence that is found outside his apartment, and quite possibly, around your neighbourhood too.
But it is not just an artwork that you admire from afar. No, it is one that invites you to interact with it, to walk through the maze and navigate its twists and turns.
What You Are The World Is is housed in The Godown’s main hall, taking up an area of approximately 167sq m.
In these pandemic times, it also serves as a metaphor for one’s life journey, with smooth sailing parts and other points marked with obstacles and curve balls thrown your way.
“The idea for this came from my research on Zen Buddhist theories of ‘the ordinary’ and my previous large-scale installation of a maze made out of jetties, commissioned for the Thailand Biennale in Krabi in 2018, ” says Pok, 57, who is also an art researcher, academician and writer.
While his 2018 Wandering At The Edge Of The Wonderland is a wood and bamboo installation inspired by the fishing village’s jetty commonly found in many countries in South-East Asia, What You Are The World Is is a maze built with welded fences and meant to be a physical representation of the space we live in now, where the pressure of societal concerns and the world’s conditions are imposed on us.
“This piece invites the public to experience the psychological impacts of the ‘undercurrents’ that go on in the world today. In the midst of global pandemic lockdowns, the world has witnessed mass disruptions, disasters and social unease.
“A deadly viral disease, trade war, racial tension, threats of war, an unstable political system and economic downturn were all thrust upon us, ” he adds.
Pok adds that this work hints at our complex inner state of mind in relation to our outer reality.
“The thoughts we harbour and decisions we make directly trigger reactions within and affect our physical reality, as all things are interconnected, ” he says.
Finding his way around
Pok has been actively involved in art and design since 1983. Having completed his practice-led fine art PhD research in London in 2011, he returned to KL.
His PhD thesis explored the relationship between art and Zen Buddhism.
Pok’s exploration of mazes started several years ago, where he was commissioned to make an installation work titled A Mazing News in 2014, using newspapers of several different languages that highlighted the breadth of information we receive daily.
“From that experience, I continue to use mazes to depict worldly events and challenges, ” he shares.
What You Are The World Is was initially conceptualised for another space, but as it was closed down due to the pandemic, the installation eventually found a home in The Godown.
Because of the lockdowns and other pandemic-related restrictions, the launch of the maze had to be postponed twice.
But it all worked out in the end.
Pok notes that the fences are not only relevant to the space’s aesthetics but also echoes its aim to protect and preserve their historic architecture and culture, that sits amid the city’s high-rise buildings.
“What You Are The World Is suggests ‘people’ as integral elements in the process of creating the work. The teams of people from Cendana as a strategic partner and The Godown KL and Perniagaan Yik Sing Sdn Bhd as sponsors, coming together has been key in achieving this project, all in the effort of bringing art to the public, ” says Pok.
On a lighter note, this offers visitors a new visual experience, and a way they can interact after more than a year of lockdowns.
To Pok, a night visit is particularly interesting as light and shadow are both significant parts of the piece.
“The public are free to interpret the works as they see relevant to them, because ultimately, to experience it puts the individual on a personal journey of discovery. I hope that visitors will take away a long-lasting memory and a different experience of what art in Malaysia has the potential to be, ” he says.
Last year, Pok held a solo exhibition, Art For Arts, at Studios SamaSama in KL. In 2018, he had a solo showing there as well, with an exhibition titled My World Through Your World.
Like for many others, the pandemic has resulted in him having to put the brakes on several projects and travel plans.
But he has kept himself busy and during this time, he set up an art collective called Yida, comprising 12 of his former students.
“The collective aims to develop themselves as the new generation of artists and to disseminate art at a grassroots level, ” he says.
Besides that, Pok is currently working on his first book, which he hopes to publish later in the year. This book will explore the everyday and the relationship between contemporary art practices and Zen Buddhism.
What You Are The World Is will be on display at The Godown in KL until May 13. The space is open to the public from 5pm-11pm on weekdays, and 10am-11pm on weekends. There is a maximum capacity of 20 visitors at any one time. All visitors must adhere to SOPs imposed by the government. Entry is free.
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