Warhol in Singapore
There was a lot of talk in some circles about the Warhol exhibition in Singapore. It happened in 2007, which is proof that the world did not freeze in its tracks, or implode, and it certainly didn’t stop anyone from making ironic art. It’s difficult to know whether the audience had embraced the work, or if it was something that was an already always. There wasn’t the lively buzz in restaurants all over Singapore when it opened, but then again, it wasn’t received with with indifference either.
Then again, perhaps it’s hard to know what would get a response in the restaurants. The food here is so exquisite, with some of the best flavors all over the world in one place. I’ve always loved Chinese food, and found Indian food to be absolute heaven, so whenever I’m in Singapore I really don’t remember the dinner conversation. Chances are, I’m always in such a swoony state that I could just as easily discuss boy bands and hair bands as easily as the stuff of international art. It really doesn’t matter. That place does something very wonderful to my senses, and opens up my taste buds in new and, for me, rather significant ways.
I am not sure if this is what Andy would have wanted, either, and am even less convinced he would have cared. He did seem genuinely fascinated by things, by phenomena, and by cultural movements. He was much more interested in trends than in actual people, although celebrities were always high on his list. Personally, I had hoped for a much more profound reaction from the gallery-hoppers in Singapore when they saw the hundred or so works by the master of pop art, but in retrospect, when you can talk over such magnificent food, boy bands will also suffice. And more appropriate, really, in Warhol’s world.