ANNOTATIONS OF SELF
Identity/reputation for a person is arguably, not something that the individual possess.

Started in May 2009, Annotations of Self started as an accumulating project as a blend of elements of installation and performance arts into the process of making a final multi-media documentation artwork.

Utilizing the unique space of home and * home *, a series of themed art/house parties will be hosted with close friends alongside with strangers they will bring through, together the attendants become both the attendants and the performers of this art project.

The goals are to observe, provoke, document and explore who each of us is to ourselves, to each others, either among close friends or strangers passing, as well to be framed within the context of a constant comparison and collision of social surrounding we interact in real life and in virtual online world. The conclusion is not inclusive, and the exploration does NOT stop at the art participation/party.
This act of self-identity should become the lingering effects on all participants for the rest of their life. Also projects ideas are being re-evaluated individually according to audience response in the hope for its own future manifestation in an art gallery setting.

Artist Statement

Who are you? Who am I? Who are we to each other, really?

Identity/reputation for a person is arguably, not something that the individual possess.

In contemporary arts, people are seemly always the most fascinating objects and subjects. There are numerous self-expressive arts, documentation of intimate daily life, and of course the rising popularity of interactive/participatory arts.

Why?

Because each human individual is complicated, and his/her identity become more complicated once we fit ourselves in different social surrounding and settings – the elements of our un-expected responses, and the layers of individual complexity make the arts itself and the experience interesting.

Yet the question we should ask is WHAT FOR

Many works have been done revolving around the idea of social network phenomenon, but I often feel isolated and unaffected as a participants. (Mind you, the art for art sake really limited its pre-defined artistic audience within a small percentage of the general public, which is a self-denying and cover-up "job-well-done!" solute that lends no immediate solution or actual social changes). Believing in art is more than just a method of self-expression, I want to create an experience that mimic life and actively provoke reactions, enforce influences and perhaps exercise changes on the participants.

With this purpose in mind, I create the exhibition with and for my friends and "friends" online and offline. In the age of online-narcissism, where everyone can craft and mold a identity of who they are at the ease of their fingertips, I often feel at loss if that 700+ friends of mine on Facebook can be any REAL friend indeed.
(By the way, i deleted the 200+ that did NOT reply or showed up at my party)

Arguably, the manifestation of self might become more obvious to scrutinize with online social networks, and we forgot that such fact has always existed before the Internet, where no one is really who you know they are, not really who they think they are. Think about serial-murderer who is your model citizen, or your collegue who is the girl-next-door dreamy type who is actually a dominatrix at night.

Categorization of individual in society is a must and a norm for survival. However, what is at stake if you don't fit into a mold? What if you don't live up to who your online personality in real life occasions? How much self-control do you have to keep and how is this affecting yourself and your relationship with others?

With the exhibition series "Annotations of Self", I attempt to research and explore together with my audience of what is at stake with personalized technology as a integral part of daily life, and what human relationship can and will be with such unavoidable influx influence at changes.

PART 1 - Facebook Analogue (Beta version)

(Read full project proposal here)

PART 2 - Selling My Soul for Love and Money

(SOLD FOR $86.39 CDN)

PART 3 - AUDITION FOR

THE LAST PERSON SURVIVED THE END OF THE WORLD

(unable to cast this role within people auditioned)

Photo by Aidin Ab