THE WEIGHT OF WATER: Bulles en Tête, Paris
The Spaceless Gallery and Chan + Hori Contemporary were pleased to present 34 ink-on-paper works of Singaporean artist, Speak Cryptic, through a solo exhibition titled The Weight of Water.
The first 17 unique works was released on www.chanhori.com. Based in Singapore, these works were made available to view at the studio of the artist, arranged by appointment only with Chan + Hori Contemporary. The second set of 17 unique works premiered in Speak Cryptic’s solo exhibition from 18 November - 11 December 2021 at Bulles en tête in Paris.
Just for this exhibition, Speak Cryptic produced 6 different NFT works. The first 10 collectors of physical artworks from The Weight of Water in both Singapore and Paris received one of two NFT designs (in editions of 10) as a gift. The remaining four designs (editions of 21) are open to the public for sale, with two works minted in collaboration with aurèce vettier. All NFTs are available on the Hic et Nunc (H=N) marketplace, with links provided on the Chan + Hori website. Tezos - the decentralized blockchain network relying on proof-of-stake mechanisms - is a key partner in this exhibition, providing venue and marketing support.
The Weight of Water
Ink as a medium has its roots in the 7th and 8th centuries, applied to paper and silk to form the foundation of civilizations. Carrying forward this hallmark of quality, The Weight of Water by Speak Cryptic is a body of exquisite artworks in archival quality carbon ink, crafted with a writing instrument made of glass. Carbon ink is waterproof and does not fade even when bleached or exposed to constant sunlight.
Grounded in the notion of multiple identities that flow and overlap in the evolving self, The Weight of Water is a philosophical inquiry into the states of mind where one gives up full control. The creative process behind these works is cathartic; an act of letting go. Within each artwork lies a figure, detailed arrangements of strokes that hold the trappings of human beings. If one was immersed in a body of water that held our collective consciousness, these forms would be what is left when we emerge - remnants of who we are and what we pledge allegiance to.
The Weight of Water marks Speak Cryptic’s return to Europe, after his 2015 residency at Cité Internationale des Arts and having featured in the Southeast Asian exhibition Secret Archipelago at Palais de Tokyo in Paris (where a mural by the artist still remains in a secret area). This exhibition also features the artist’s deep dive into the world of NFTs, pushing forth the future of art.
◊ 42 Rue Le Peletier, 75009 Paris
PROGRAMMES
Digital Zoom BLOCK PARTY #1 / TBC - BLOCK PARTY #2 held at Fluctuart, 2 port du Gros Caillou, 75007 Paris
WRITERS
Artist-poet, aurèce vettier (France), and writer/poet, Jennifer Anne Champion (Singapore), responded to Speak Cryptic’s body of works through texts; in borderless exchanges that showcase art and the written word on equal terms. These texts featured on the Chan + Hori website as well.
COLLABORATORS
Chan+Hori Contemporary, Bulles en tête, Boon_Room
PARTNERS
Tezos, TZ APAC, Nomadic Labs, Fluctuart
To go further you can discover Speak’s podcast interview on Art and NFTs here.
