Study of Three Thermo Flasks, 1991. Artist: M. Faizal Fadil (Reflective Writing)

“Study of Three Thermo Flasks” by M. Faizal Fadil, consists of three metal flasks standing in a row. During that time when this artwork was created, it sparked lively debates in Singapore and regions over what can and cannot be considered a sculpture. In Singapore, this is considered a very new art approach at that time, this art approach was also seen as early as the World War I era, which “Dada Movement” formed in response to the disasters of World War I and to an emerging modern media and machine culture. Where Dada artists experimented with a range of mediums, from collage and photomontage to everyday objects and performance, exploding typical concepts of how art should be made and viewed and what materials could be used. The work by M. Faizal Fadil tells us that he is adapting this “Dada” concept into his work which he uses readymade objects in daily life to create his sculpture artwork just like Marcel Duchamp, where this art concept sparks new interest in how art is. These thermo flasks are quite a common Singapore household item today, which tells where the Artist originated from.

The medium of this sculpture is made from readymade objects. The artist purchased these thermo flasks from a flea market along Sungei Road ("Thieves Market"), by using this common household item that we all see frequently at home yet did not take much notice of this creates a new point of view and take on it. Using mass-produced everyday objects transformed into art in a museum setting. Sungei Thieves Market used to be the largest and oldest Flea market in Singapore with 80 years of history began in the 1930s as a trading spot by the banks of the Rochor River. From the 1940s onwards, it became popular for its cheap goods. It was closed in 2017 when the space was needed to make way for MRT station. This Sungei Thieves Market is nowhere to be seen today, which made this artwork even more valuable and meaningful as it was part of the history of the Sungei Thieves Market. The artwork is a form of history itself that depicts the rich history of Sungei Thieves Market adding a deeper meaning of it to the work.

Looking at this artwork reflected on my own practices as I am also using readymade objects for my sculpture installation. Sourcing from local is a wonderful way to include your own identity in the artwork itself. I adapted the “Dada” concept as well as the artist of “Study of Three Thermo Flasks”. Marcel Duchamp, a pioneering artist and leading figure in the Dada movement, argued that both the artist and the viewer are necessary for the completion of a work of art. He posited that the creation of art begins with the artist—often working in isolation in the studio—and is not completed until it is placed out in the world and viewed by others. As a Singaporean artist, what makes your work special from other overseas artists’ work is the adaptation of materials that you use, the approach of the artwork, and your engagement with it. How can you include your viewers to take part in the creation of artwork, how completion of a work of art can take part outside of the studio is especially important as well.