Beyond the Future: Papers from the Third Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art

8.6: AUDI ENCE/ARTIST I NTERACTIONS Kuroda Raij i The Fukuoka Asian Art Museum which opened March 1 999 i s making diverse and experimental attempts to seek for new relationships with the audience, as can be seen in the inaugural exh ibition , the 1 st Fukuoka Asian Art Triennale. Such attempts are the result of the Museum's basic concept of aiming to be a field for exchange among Asian artists, between artists and citizens . However, Asian art is still unfamiliar matter for the majority of citizens, and tends to be ignored , rejected or easily criticised if viewed from stereotyped images of Asian­ ness or Asian tradition; from elitist points of view wh ich still depend too much on a standard of good works authorised by European art h istory, and most importantly, ignored by lovers of French Impression ism, the majority of the Japanese aud ience for art. Besides, Japan still has enormous problems in its historical and social relations with other Asian countries, such as the hostility from some Asian people caused by Japan's neglecting to properly restart relations after the colonisation and occupation of neighbouring countries . For most Japanese people the western-oriented standard of richness and beauty, preoccupations, prejud ice, and even racism towards other Asians are not unusual at all, wh ile easily enjoying travels in Asia for shopping, meals and sightseeing. These are large problems which need fundamental reconsideration and change in Japanese politics, education and val ue systems for final consensus and solution . Rather by putting aside such problems we strive to produce as many opportunities as possible for both viewers and artists to directly encounter the others in the field of a l iving city. Adopting this strategy at the Museum, we decided on the exh ibition theme of 'Communication : Channels for Hope'. Since the 3rd Asian Art Show, 1 989, we have changed the basic aim of the exhibition to focus on a particular aspect of Asian contemporary art instead of a general survey of what is happening in Asian regions . This theme is the result of our research of the latest situation in some Asian countries. Interestingly, this tendency of art outside of Japan could be easily found in Japan as well . Thus th is theme i s not formed by ou r expectation o r by any theoretical necessity, bu t by the practice of artists in Asia. The absolutely important premise of this theme, 'Communication', is that our focus is on creative methods of commun ication with others, the unknown , and with strangers rather than communication among close friends, an isolated commun ity or for business relations (which has been enormously developed through the portable phone and I nternet in Japan recently). Apart from ordinary events at a museum such as artist tal ks and workshops, I will introduce more unusual kinds of such attempts to seek channels for creative communication in three categories : 1 . Exhibits which invite audiences to participate 2. Production processes which involve citizens 3. Exhibits and performances in public spaces outside of the museum 1 . Exhibits Which Invite Aud iences To Participate Perhaps you do not need much explanation of Xu B ing's work. We expected this installation to be an introduction to the whole exh ibition by locating it in the first part of the exhibition . Viewers were al lowed to become involved in the exhibit by inputting their names using keyboards, and getting the printed Chinese-English letters . Montien Boonma's sculpture induced people to stand inside to experience the flavour of herbs. M ichael Lin from Taiwan made a stage of tatami, Japanese matting, with cute decorative cush ions on wh ich people could relax. Later this installation developed in very interesting ways becoming a stage for Kamishibai (picture theatre) made by Laotian artist Douangdy Khanthavilay and volunteers. The event by M ichael Lin invited people to enjoy Taiwanese cigarettes and beer, to talk to each other, and relax. Amanda Heng from Singapore organ ised a place where people could chat with each other, just as her mother does, while plucking off roots of bean sprouts . 1 29