DESIREE
THAM
“How to chase a mountain”, 2021
Sculpture series
How to chase a mountain is meant to be an instructional video mixed of virtual scenes and actual performance with objects. Creating functional sculptures served as an instructional instrument, the work aims to present 5 steps of utility functions influenced by the beliefs of Feng Shui myths of chasing the dragons for protection.
In the actual video, the instructions in the video includes: 1) Filtering the mountains, chasing the dragon, dotting the spot. 2) Moving the mountain, Activate your dragon. 3) Hugging the mountain, embracing your dragon. 4) Build a mountain that lasts 3 generations. expanding your dragon. 5) Multiply the mountain, finding more dragons.
Some of these may seem almost irrational, the work aims to question the function of utility and rationality in times of uncertainty. How far will one go to protect oneself? How do we measure pleasure over satisfaction?
In the beliefs of Chinese Metaphysics such methods of protection are used to cope with uncertainties, utilising Mountains as a metaphor as they are known as Dragons and Dragons are known as a powerful animal of protection. The work aims to reflect and provoke on the daily systems and structures that we all take to keep oneself protected - To service the self.