Year: 2006
Page: 138
Publisher: 1a space
Language: English and Chinese
Editor: Ivy MA
Translator: Ivy MA
ISBN: 962-85716-6-4
Jerry Kwan works from 1969-2005
Misreading and Da-wo: An interview with Jerry KWAN
Long Tin
Misreading must be here. Misunderstanding breaks the deadlock that has long existed. It opens up space for meanings that could have been absent. Because of misunderstanding, the restriction of 'original meaning' is imposed; simultaneously, it creates the restriction of 'misreading' in relation to this 'original meaning'.
Jerry KWAN is an artist who lures people to misread him. As for me, I am no doubt a person who likes to misinterpret, and is willing to declare so. And KWAN is such an author who never tardily expresses his "original meaning of creation." These add up to an encounter of some sort.
Stepping into KWAN's studio in Fotan, right before he came forward to greet us with drinks, his latest series of work from the exhibition "Jerry KWAN: Pseudo-Folk-Art" has long taken up my attention. A gigantic mask figure was horizontally hung on the wall right to the opposite of the main entrance. I cannot help but obviate them. Yet, is it not Thales who fell into a hole just because he wanted to steer clear of anything on earth in hindrance of his stargazing and meditation? We cannot help but date back to 1984 to start our interview.