On the last 'Great Debate', we had a great discussion about the etiquette of sending invitations via Facebook. This month, in sync with the upcoming Hong Kong Art Basel, we asked two art lovers, Dato' Yap Teiong Choon and Dato' Seri Abdul Azim Mohd Zabidi, to share their thoughts on the big question: can art still shock?

 

Dato’ Yap Teiong Choon, Executive director of Amplefield Ltd and SHL Consolidated Bhd

YES

Art still shocks me. I believe it can be seen in many different ways. Talking about art prices, it is certainly a shock to see the astronomical escalation in prices over the past few years for works from artists like Rohko, Picasso and Matisse. In fact, I have been quite bewildered by how Chinese paintings are priced so high that there is a steep competition with Western paintings. I actually will not be surprised that Chinese paintings will be even more expensive in the next decade!

In this dynamic world today, the notion of art is perceived in a very subjective way. The inherent idea has transformed over the years from the emphasis on aesthetic beauty to a more modern and contemporary artistic excellence. Interestingly enough, art nowadays is at a level where artists are fusing both these factors to form a totally new school of thought on its own. Those unaccustomed to the perennial shifting schools of thought will find themselves shocked time and time again.

In conclusion, I think art will always have a shock value because it is consistently growing and evolving. The idea of art itself is changing as we speak, thanks to the growth of futuristic art techniques, maturing appreciation in taste and soaring prices caused by an enormous increase in the art loving population and investors.

 

Dato’ Seri Abdul Azim Mohd Zabidi, Chairman of Sungei Wang Plaza Sdn Bhd

NO

At the outset, it should be pointed out that art has no boundaries nor limitations to imagination, medium and emotion. There are occasions when people buy art because they like the artist, irrespective of whether the work evokes any emotion in them. There are also those that accumulate artwork based on a certain genre such as impressionism or photographic images, for instance.

Another category of collectors could be those who collect works of art based on the medium be it oil on canvas or acrylic on canvas. There are numerous reasons why a collector focuses on a particular medium but it would all be personal in nature.

In all the above cases, I don’t feel that the collectors would be shocked at what is on offer as most of them would be able to identify with the artworks they acquire. After all, in the final analysis, it boils down to your own taste and one normally is not shocked at one’s own taste.

On a personal note, the one time I was taken aback by a painting was when I viewed a piece of work by Australian artist Del Kathryn Barton entitled The Hermaphrodite. The discomfort on my part was also probably due to having my mother and young children with me when we viewed it! Apart from that one instance, I don’t think I have been uncomfortable with any art pieces as long as it’s done in good taste.

What's your say? Join the debate and let us know on Facebook/MalaysiaTatler.

 

Last month's great debate: Is it appropriate to use Facebook for sending out invitations?

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