To possess.
Possessive.
Possessed.
To own, to consume, to collect - to have and to hold - speaks of the human compulsion to surround ourselves with objects and things. Yet possession is not only the attainment of things or even a concern for utilitarian function; it veers over the edge to something more.
In a world rife with material things, what we own reflects our taste, status, identity and aspirations; they are outward and social projections of whom we are or wish others to see. But they also reveal more about us than we think or intend - what does the sum of our possessions lay bare about our subconscious selves, anxieties and longings? Within our interior world, possessions can also be holders of memories, containers of another time
and place, that evoke precious recollections.
Indeed, so much of our possessions have a hold greater on us than we may care to admit.
This exhibition at Gajah Gallery (Jakarta) delves into the myriad meanings of “possession”: of objects in the material world, but also of intense emotional and psychological states, as well as the spiritual realm. Indeed, the most powerful pull of possession isn’t around “things”, often, it is being enraptured by person - the beloved - or an idea. Possession reaches deep into notions of desire, domination and control. It goes beyond a fixation with the physical; in being seized, possession is an erotics of obsession. Possession - as a state of mind and emotion - becomes primary when “want” supersedes “need”. After all, there is no real need to own multiple shoes or sneakers, digital gadgets, bags, bottles of single-malt whiskey... or a work of art. And yet we do. In other instances, it’s holding on to an old pen, mug or watch even when it’s no longer in good working form or has become outmoded. The rational mind says to let these possessions go, but no: we hang on to it. Sentimental value or aesthetic significance surpass utilitarian purpose, and “use value” is counted by different registers amongst our possessions.
And truly, do we own our possessions, or do our possessions own us? Cast this way, possession can be reframed as a dynamic, and to behold a thing is also to be beholden.
What we possess, possess us too.
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This exhibition was held in Gajah Gallery Jakarta on 10 August to 8 September 2024, curated by Joyce Toh.
The participating artists includes, BenCab, Kawayan de Guia, Kiri Dalena, Leslie de Chavez, Marina Cruz, Mark Justiniani, Nona Garcia, Rocky Cajigan and Rodel Tapaya.