Local toy designer and sculptor DANIEL YU takes centrestage at an exhibition hosted by collectibles store and creative space BLAXK at Funan Mall. The exhibition entitled Altered Realities: A Jiangshi Introspection launched on 30 September 2022, and it is still running till 20 November 2022.
Red Dot Diva got to know about DANIEL YU'S creations when she spotted his toys displayed at a Singapore Toy Games and Comic Convention many years ago. His iconic Jiangshi (commonly known as “Chinese vampire”, although it is more like a zombie?) vinyl figures beckoned to her dark, macabre heart. There is something nostalgic about the jiangshi. The creature is such a classic Asian horror trope that has been ingrained in our psyche, especially those who watched a lot of the Hong Kong horror movies of the '80s and '90s.
Altered Realities: A Jiangshi Introspection is dedicated to DANIEL'S Jiangshi and other toy designs. Creative works by thirteen local artists have also been invited to put their visual spin on the Jiangshi. With that in mind, Red Dot Diva had to pop by BLAXK for a look. She visited the space during the First Wave of the exhibition that included art interpretations by Allison M. Low, Clogtwo, erikartoon, Claire & Pann Lim, Inkten Nadirah, Ratking, and Zan Cheong.
Upon entering the exhibition space, Red Dot Diva felt as if she was immediately transported to a psychedelic-supernatural world. The colourful Chinese-style talisman strips hanging from the ceiling were most inspired. According to the folklore, if you stick an enchanted talisman on a jiangshi's forehead, you will stop it in its tracks. BLAXK had designed talismans to represent the names of each of the participating artists in the exhibition. So terribly ingenious!
Flying Taoist swords and an eight-sided mirror added to the entire Instagrammable effect on how one can protect itself from hungry jiangshis.
Red Dot Diva also admired the limited edition Jiangshi Junior (100 pieces only, and all sold out!), which is an exclusive collaboration by DANIEL YU and BLAXK. The figure has 7 points of articulation and looks grosteque-adorable, which is what DANIEL YU does best with his toy designs.
There was also a showcase of more than 120 of DANIEL YU'S Jiangshi creations and his past works of other strange creatures and monsters, like Lunar Beast, Fortune Twins and Bird Shaman - all from his own personal collection.
Artwork and collectibles of the featured artists invited to pay their tribute to the Jiangshi were also superb. One of Red Dot Diva's favourites is the very tongue-in-cheek “In Case Of Jiangshi Break Glass” talisman by Claire & Pann Lim aka @holycrap.sg. Such a necessary household item in case of a jiangshi apocalypse, right?
One of the artwork on display is a imposing looking jiangshi by the visionary artist ClogTwo. (Check out my short video below for a peek of what the other artists' contributions look like.)
Watch Red Dot Diva's short video of The First Wave:
The Second Wave of the exhibition is currently on right now, with a different set of artists featured. They are ANACATHIE, ANTZ, FREAKYFIR, Mojoko, Jessica Emmett, and Sam Lo. Red Dot Diva has not found the time to check out their artwork yet. If you are not able to make it to the exhibition, you can take a peek of their work at BLAXK Instagram account.
As part of The Second Wave, an exclusive and limited edition Disney x ActionCity's Mickey Jiangshi figure was launched. The unique 16cm tall vinyl figure, with 7 points of articulation features beloved Disney character Mickey Mouse dressed up as a jiangshi, complete with a talisman. The official licensed item designed by DANIEL YU is so popular that pre-orders have all been snapped up.
Do hop by Altered Realities: A Jiangshi Introspection exhibition to DANIEL YU'S wonderful creations, and the artwork by our local artists.
Just be careful. Don't get cursed and get turned into a jiangshi, like Red Dot Diva. (She's cured now, BTW.)
DANIEL YU'S ALTERED REALITIES: A JIANGSHI INTROSPECTION EXHIBITION
Dates: Now till 20 November 2022
Where: BLAXK by Actioncity, #01-03 Funan Mall
Follow DANIEL YU on social media here:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jessica_emmett
Website - https://www.jessica-emmett.com
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/JessicaEmmettArtist
Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/c/jessicaemmettartist
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