OBJECTS AS SUBJECT:
ILLUSTRATING GRAPHIC DESIGN FROM ASIDE

Milkxhake (Saki Ho & Javin Mo) , CURATORS OF YELLOW PAGES

Published on IDEA Magazine No.383

Back in 2014, Milkxhake appeared in IDEA’s Yellow Pages column as the first studio and city (Hong Kong) to be featured, it was another unusual conversation and experience with Tetsuya Goto since typographics ti: — exploring the Asian graphic design context in multiple perspectives. Our dialogues took us on more journeys afterwards. I joined as associate editor of Yellow Pages, visiting designers in Taipei, Beijing, Seoul and Bangkok. And recently, inspired by the conversations between Min Choi and Tetsuya while summarizing Yellow Pages, the exhibition, GRAPHIC WEST 7: YELLOW PAGES was curated at ddd Gallery in April 2018, giving a new perspective on graphic design exhibitions by showcasing not only works but also introducing acquaintances, working partners, curators, creators and printers connected to those graphic designers.

As an interviewee, editor and curator, I would describe the whole journey and approach of YELLOW PAGES as “unusual.” In general, we tend to present the “subject” (graphic design) by introducing designers and showcasing their works such as posters, publications and printed matters in a conventional approach. We did the opposite here though: we looked into graphic design through “objects” — printed materials, collections, artwork, personal effects, iconic things and products. Most importantly, we showcased each city the collaborating partners behind each designer in each city accordingly such as printers, publishers and creative talents, in which they all tell stories about how the items were made and where the meanings came from, reflecting how objects influence designers, illustrating personal history, languages, cultures and social context. “Objects” serve as channels to look at graphic design as a subject matter.

YELLOW PAGES is not merely a study of Asian graphic design, it is also an attempt to translate graphic design, breaking aesthetics, concepts and design jargon into daily matters, making design more visible, bridging the industry and the general public.

The curatorial/editorial approach “objects as subject” goes beyond showing works as physical exhibits, but as a starting point directing readers and visitors to look into the context, giving different perspectives and scales for comparison to understand graphic design.

Yellow Pages demonstrated how graphic design research and exhibition breaks away from traditional portfolio showcasing: spinning off from this concept Tetsuya and Milkxhake organized Mobile Talk [1] between 2016 and 2018 — a small scale independent creative sharing event roaming in Asian cities. Each time three to five people or units related to the design industry, usually based in different cities were invited to give a talk under the theme “#Independent/#Collective.” Besides discussion, Mobile Exhibition follows, exhibiting Mobile Objects representing the hosting city, and objects chosen by the speakers to match with the theme. As Mobile Talk travels, the Mobile Objects collection keeps expanding. Mobile Objects is a developing story in each city. It is a collectively curated exhibition showing individuality (how each speaker defines Independent/Collective) and cultural differences (objects reflect local culture) under one theme. Every edition of Mobile Exhibition weaves a new angle while new Mobile Objects are added in.

Besides directing the exhibition and showing different perspectives, objects can create coherence and resonance for visitors. In the current “Projects·Objects·Play” [2] — Tommy Li P.O.P. Design Show that I took part in as guest curator (presented by Hong Kong Heritage Museum), “objects” are the most important and the newest content added to the exhibition for general public. The curatorial idea is not only about Hong Kong master graphic designer Tommy Li himself, as a designer and a retrospective showcase on his own. These “97” objects were selected by himself, such as films, music, art, publications, public figures and social events, all of which were part of his cultivation as a person, as well as mirrors that reflected the social and cultural changes in Hong Kong at the time. This is particularly crucial since Hong Kong was a British Colony and has been bombarded by mixed cultures in the 1970s and 1980s. In this case, objects are no longer only exhibited, but also memories co-shared with the audiences, narrating history and atmosphere, linking up the other two exhibition zones “projects” and “play” in a language commonly understood by the public.

“Objects as subject” gives flexibility and space in curation, as a curator with graphic design background, this is particularly useful and fun because even graphic design is visually based, it is very difficult to tell what graphic design is by just showing works: content should stay the main focus.

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[1] Mobile Talk
Co-founded by Tetsuya Goto and Javin Mo, Mobile Talk is a creative sharing/gathering where Asian creatives — designers, artists, architects, curators, editors and writers — meet and share their ideas, works and daily lives. Mobile Talk has been traveled to Osaka, Taipei, Hong Kong, Singapore and Tokyo so far.

[2] Projects.Objects.Play
Organised and presented by Hong Kong Heritage Museum and Javin Mo as the guest curator, the exhibition is to reflect the design innovations and creative ideas of renowned Hong Kong graphic designer Tommy Li.

“Projects” showcases key projects by Tommy Li and his team over the past 30 years, “Objects” are special items selected by Tommy Li, which had a deep influence on his designs and creations; while “Play” is about Tommy Li’s recent personal art creations, aesthetics and life values.