When we think of art exhibits, we picture the good old white cube. But Frida Window is redefining what an art space is or can be. This fresh initiative was started by Lai Yu Tong, a Singaporean artist whose works centre around image-making, painting, drawing and installation.
With its location undisclosed, artworks take turns to go on display by the window, and whoever is interested in viewing it in person can send a direct message to their Instagram to get deets on the location. “Frida is an idea for an art space by a window in Singapore. I invited several artists from Singapore and abroad to contribute an A4 sized artwork that will take turns to be displayed in a frame that I hung by the kitchen window of my home/studio,” says Yu Tong.
Having the idea to utilise a window as a platform for exhibiting art is not an everyday occurrence and defies the norm of how art is usually showcased. “I currently live and work on the second floor of a shophouse situated in a busy neighbourhood. It's quite a public space with a lot going on downstairs. I spend a lot of time looking out of the window. I've had this idea for a long while now but only got down to it when I realised I would be moving out of here soon,” shares Yu Tong about what sparked the idea.
When doubling up one’s personal space/ home as a public platform for all to access, it might pose a concern for security and privacy, but Yu Tong explains how it is being controlled, “Privacy is a concern but I kind of know who might visit as they have to ask for the address. At the same time, there is still some distance between the viewer and my privacy. In the sense that Frida is not a social thing where they come up to my house to view the art. In fact, it is quite the opposite. I barely meet or talk to anyone in person for this project, which is important as I get worn out by these things easily. Privacy and self-preservation are definitely important to think about in relation to the sustainability of an art space.”
But the nature of the project is such that the primary in-person audiences will be random passers-by, cars, insects, the rain, the moon, the sun, the tree outside, and the birds on the tree. I think the artists who agreed to show actually like this kind of context. Perhaps they are mostly quite shy and seem to like birds too.
Although the artists’ works are perched on a window that is higher than ground level which might mean poor visibility, Yu Tong says that Frida Window is not the only outlet in which audiences can indulge in the work. More than often, the details of the artist and the work itself will also be posted on Instagram for all to see and find out more. “I think there is a responsibility for the art to be seen, as artists put in a lot of work just to present something of theirs here. I try to show their work online the best I can and to as many people as possible via Instagram. But the nature of the project is such that the primary in-person audiences will be random passers-by, cars, insects, the rain, the moon, the sun, the tree outside, and the birds on the tree. I think the artists who agreed to show actually like this kind of context. Perhaps they are mostly quite shy and seem to like birds too,” Yu Tong explains.
So, what exactly does ‘Frida’ mean? One quick Google search may lead us to several differing definitions but to the artist himself, Yu Tong says “Frida is a love letter, a protest, an alternative to living, making and showing art on this island.”
