Mental Exhibition

Curatorial Debut @ Singapore Design Week 2024

2024
Role I Curator, Exhibitor
The MAKE: me(n)tal exhibition will challenge one’s mental image of metal as it celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, and the enduring allure of metal. Fabricated metal pieces often grace our lives in the form of stylish lifestyle items, captivating spatial installations, and elegant furniture. Yet, the intricate work, dedication, and artistry behind each creation often remain unseen and underappreciated. Joining forces with metalsmiths such as Baremetalco, a diverse cadre of local artists, designers, and creative misfits are on a mission to redefine the possibilities of metal fabrication. Together, they craft an array of works that not only showcase the diverse qualities of metal but also challenge the limits of what can be achieved with this versatile material. This exhibition not only pushes boundaries but also emphasizes responsibility. Committed to sustainable and responsible creation, the works take a conscious approach to repurposing material offcuts, transforming waste into masterpieces.

Link to Singapore Design Week 2024
Link to Instagram Page
Lustre by Melvin Ong
"Lustre" captures the ethereal beauty and accentuates the softer character of metal. Sculpted aluminum petals are coated with an adhesive, and are gently dusted with aluminum shavings—once discarded remnants, now reborn with purpose. These shavings, when illuminated, shimmer and dance, scattering light through the petals and casting mesmerizing patterns and a soft, diffused glow. The floral-inspired reflectors bridge the chasm between industrial craftsmanship and nature's grace, transforming raw remnants of metal into a celebration of its inherent lustre and timeless beauty.
Lift Lamp by Tan Wei Xiang
The Lift Lamp offers users a fresh perspective on metal as a medium. Externally, it resembles a ceramic sculpture or tableware. However, lifting the shade reveals a polished steel surface that reflects the internal light, showcasing the true nature of the material. This design highlights the versatility of metal, which can be used for structural, hardware, and aesthetic purposes.

Palette Patina by Edmund Zhang
Palette Patina imagines a world where beauty is found in the unexpected, particularly in what is typically considered undesirable, such as rust and patina. By applying a chemical solution to copper and mild steel, the natural patina-forming process—normally taking months or even years—is accelerated. This process uncovers the various stages of patina development, highlighting the evolving interaction between these metals and their environment, and revealing surprising colors and textures that emerge over time.

In collaboration with Baremetalco.
Brass Bloks by Samuel Woo
Modular sculptural blocks that can be (re)arranged to hold keys, stationery or small tchotchkes.

Each piece is precision machined from solid brass stock and lightly finished by hand.
Chance by Chong Jo Ee & Kennerve Tan
Embodying the ethos of value, the Chance pendant lamp reimagines discarded metal scraps from Tuas factories. These remnants, meticulously trimmed and treated, are reborn as captivating interior art pieces, merging sustainability with industrial allure. Each lamp tells a story of transformation and the beauty of second chances.
The 'Metallic' Cube by Sim Hao Jie
The 'Metallic' Cube invites you to explore the hidden materiality of everyday objects. At first glance, it appears to be a simple mirror cube, but each side tells a different story. These 'metallic' materials, often disguised under similar finishes, surround us—do we notice them? Do we truly know the materials we use & consume?

On the cube, one face gleams with polished stainless steel, another shines with electroplated ABS plastic, while others feature mirror silver nitrate on acrylic, chrome spray on polycarbonate, vacuum metalized aluminum, and anodized aluminum. Can you spot the differences?
Thirteen by Anthony Yu
Thirteen is a testament to the exploration of universal joinery systems for metal furniture instead of typical joining methods such as welding or adhesives. This stool embodies simplicity and precision, engineered to be assembled with just one tool. Its sleek aluminum construction not only offers a contemporary aesthetic but also celebrates the harmony between form and function. The minimalist design and friendly assembly process reflect a thoughtful approach to modern living, making this stool a versatile addition to any space.
Bow Vessel by Kevin Chiam
Fashioned from stock, stainless-steel extrusion, Bow is formed with minimal, subtractive metal shaping techniques to reduce waste. 2 linear incisions split a corner of the extruded form, which is later arched outwards on a metalworking anvil, forming a vessel with a convenient spout. A base is welded on and the artefact is mirror polished after. Bow presents a distinct yet modest silhouette, highlighting artisanal craftsmanship and the beauty of extruded metal.
Aluminium's Self Portrait by Kevin Chiam
Aluminium oxide, which is a common ingredient used in cosmetics such as lipsticks, is ironically regarded as undesirable when it forms on aluminium foil over time. Hence, to challenge people’s perception of beauty, an ordinary roll of foil is transformed into a canvas which celebrates the deep, natural patina of aluminium oxide; it is placed in a controlled chamber to accelerate oxidation by regulating moisture, temperature and airflow. Aluminium oxide can subsequently be harvested from the foil roll, lab-purified and used in cosmetics.
Time Teller by Kevin Chiam
A calibrated, homopolar motor moves magically when placed on a thin aluminium sheet, transforming the battery-magnet construction into a time telling paraphernalia as each revolution is timed to a single second. However, as the energy in the cell depletes, the motor eventually comes to a complete stop, poetically signalling that its time is up. The Time Teller embraces electromagnetism and leverages opposing magnetic fields to propel and create controlled motion, which in turn is suitably used to capture the passage of time.
Special Thanks
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