We all know how graffiti is viewed in Singapore. "Not kindly" seems to be the least of it, if the harsh punishments dealt upon offenders and parental choruses of how it's nothing but vandalism by wayward youth were any indication. But all of that seems to be changing, albeit it being a slow and somewhat reluctant process.
Just last week, 18 graffiti artists, half of which are leading French graffiti artists, took to spray-painting a wall at the Tanjong Pagar Distripark with swirls and bright colours. And no, it was hardly an act of rebellion arrestable by law. In fact, the graffiti artists were part of the very first (and very legal) "Off the Wall, Down with Law in Singapore, Lah!" exhibition held in celebration of the rising popularity of graffiti in mainstream consciousness. The exhibition was part of the ongoing Voilah! French Festival and supported by French Embassy in Singapore and Hermès -- need we say more?
No political intention -- to Kongo, graffiti is nothing more than a way to crystallise a moment.
Leading the pack was France's most famous urban street artist Kongo, who created the wall mural, named "Graffiti made by hand", at the latest Hermès store at Scotts Square. Before you dismiss his efforts, Kongo is currently working with the fashion giant on its scarf collection. The result is an explosive collection which combines the stunning artwork of Congo and Hermès' signature craftsmanship.
"The first time I met with the team, I was told, 'We like your work, but we don't know what we can do with it.'" says Kongo of his working relationship with Hermès. "They said, 'You can show us what you're doing, bring us your style and the door will stay open.'" And that was when Kongo fell in love.
With a shared philosophy and understanding of emphasis on the heart and inner beauty of things, Kongo worked closely with the Hermès family, from the guide at the Émile Hermès museum who introduced him to the world of Hermès to even Hermès' Artistic Director, Pierre-Alexis Dumas. The fashion house's openess to the world of graffiti and support of Kongo's vision ("There was no pressure, it's what I love about Hermès") gave birth to the now-iconic Graff Hermès scarf two years later.
Creating a wall mural isn't as simple as it looks. The "Graffiti made by hand" mural took 12 hours to complete.
Next up, Kongo will be back in town this 9 December for the grand opening of the Hermès Scotts Square store, where he'll be unveiling more artwork, creating custom graffiti name tags on site, and much more. Changing local perception of graffiti art, it seems, is also a new goal.
"Singapore is a mission for me. Graffiti is not vandalism—it is for people who cannot express themselves," he says emphatically. "I don't cheat, I don't steal, why do they punish graffiti artists? Graffiti is about the people." You can almost feel his frustration, and we empathise. After all, to him, graffiti is nothing more than a way to crystallise a moment. "Every moment is special. People capture the moment through pictures, our medium is paint."
How the evolution of graffiti art in society would pan out remains to be seen, but for a start, we are at least taking baby steps in the right direction.
Kongo's "Graffiti made by hand" kicked off Voilah! French Festival Singapore 2011's "Off the Wall" urban art festival.
LifestyleAsia (LSA): How did you start out as a graffiti artist? And why graffiti art in particular?
Kongo:
I discovered graffiti in the '80s, at a time where the energy of hip-hop led me to the art. What was amazing about it was that I discovered I could have a double life or personality. Just as Spiderman has Peter Parker, Cyril Phan has Kongo.
It's funny because people didn't know me and used to think by my tag that Kongo would be a big, black man. They didn't know it would be a skinny, Vietnamese kid. I used 'Kongo' after living in Africa from the age of 13 to 18, and it was a tribute to the most cherished parts of my childhood. In the Kongo itself where I grew up, there are a lot of mixed race people. I felt good in my skin there and loved the energy. I loved that people from the ghetto could create something out of nothing.
I painted and drew but when I arrived in France to live with my grandparents, it was clandestine. I was a refugee from the Vietnam war and had no papers. And, because I was the only Asian in that particular French community, I was always subject to racial slurs. I was really shy and used painting to express myself. I needed to dream and live my imagination. Graffiti was perfect for me. Cyril was shy, Kongo paints everywhere.
LSA: Graffiti art has always been associated with rebellion and a means for political or social commentary. For something that once had so many negative connotations, why do you think there has been an increase in the visibility and respect for the art lately?
Kongo: I'm collaborating with Hermès, a big brand, and suddenly to people, I am a big artist. But nothing for me has changed. I’m still doing what I used to do.
I don't think graffiti is any more political than a billboard.
It's been 40 years since the birth of graffiti. Today they have graffiti shows in museums and galleries. Graffiti poses real questions and that's what contemporary art is about.
Does graffiti art have a place in the local art scene? Much remains to be seen.
LSA: On average, how long does it take for you to create a wall mural? How long did you take for "Graffiti made by hand"?Kongo:
It depends on the size. It took over 12 hours to create the mural, "Graffiti made by hand".
LSA: Is there anyone else you'd love to collaborate with next?Kongo:
I've been drawing graffiti for 25 years and have only spent the last five in the art market. I had my first solo show this year in Paris. I've had a lot of group shows and people have asked why I hadn't done anything earlier, but it was because I wasn't ready. I was waiting to be big in the graffiti community but now my objective is different. Time makes you better and better. I don't care about collaboration. If I feel good with someone I will do something. I'd love to bring something new to the art scene and create a live, multimedia show with contemporary artists and hip-hop and African dancers.
I don't think about the future. I think about my present. I try to make the best in my present and the present will shape my future.
LSA: What's your dream creation and where would you want it to be at?Kongo:
To direct and create a big multimedia art show in the biggest tower in Asia or painting on a huge light painting in Shanghai with 1,000 people and other contemporary dancers moving around it in one hip-hopera.
LSA: What can the public expect should they head down to the opening of the Hermes store on December 9th?Kongo: To meet Kongo.
