There is no________
Venue
Pier-2 art center
Year
2019
Location
Kaohsiung, Taiwan
Material
Radio program [Chinese/ Taiwanese/Indonesian], 14'07", installation. Artificial tree, coconut, coconut seed, coconut water, wood
'The Scout emblem incorporates the seed of the coconut palm, a common native Indonesian plant and all parts of which are used in Indonesian everyday life, symbolizing the philosophy of a true Scout, who must make him or herself useful in all aspects of life. The seed form represents the growing spirit, physical toughness, adaptability, and high aspiration of the Scout.'
—— Wikipedia: Gerakan Pramuka Indonesia.
The Southeast Asian migrant workers have shaped Taiwan’s multifaceted and diverse culture. Brought improvement to the aging society and labor-intensive industries in Taiwan. The 'coconut seed' symbolized the persevering spirit and an ideal in their mind, reflecting their life motto as migrant workers abroad. Working Hard builds a fake flower bed in the exhibition as a scenery near the street. The radio program of the sound installation has collaborated with Taiwanese new immigrants/Indonesian Nana [The Radio Program Anchor of The Fishery Radio Station, Kaohsiung]. She tells the meaning of the Indonesian coconut proverb in Taiwanese. Intends to give audiences a sense of identity in Indonesian culture. But both Indonesian and Taiwanese languages were re-mixed with her speaking. Through the radio program, the artist reproduces the process of the anchor's identity of herself changing in between. While the different social groups of people/audiences sit, the role of 'the people who are absent' is replaced and exchanged. Intended to remind people of those forgotten city landscapes, as a question: 'Who is the outsider of this landscape?'
Photo © Working Hard. Photographed by Taha Ahmad.