Edouard Malingue Gallery is delighted to share its participation in ‘Hors Les Murs’ of FIAC 2017, presenting two new public installations by João Vasco Paiva.

Tackling the differences or indeed common ground between art sacra and entertainment, ‘Taman Creatures’ consists of replicas of two sculptures found in the abandoned Taman Festival Park in East Bali, which closed its doors in 2000. Originally carved as frogs out of mediocre material, the statues rapidly devolved into a state of semi-destruction. Replicated using Batu Chandi stones, which in Bahasa means “temple stone” – a dark coloured lava rock that was initially used to build Hindu temples and shrines in the Indonesian archipelago – Paiva explores and documents the aesthetic qualities of the modern ruin whilst building a dialogue on what remains for posterity in current society.

Addressing the notion of an archeology of the present, Paiva presents an enigmatic life-size replica of a modular kitchen that encourages interaction. In taking the structure outside of its domestic or hospitality context and into the public realm, Paiva addresses our existent relationship with ordinary spaces, especially those that have a custom of bringing people together. Paiva collaborated with artisans in east Bali who still use the traditional method of carving large Batu Chandi stones. As such, the installation follows from Paiva’s interest in unfolding the structures of contemporary life, whilst placing particular emphasis on the constructed sum of human activities from the ordained to the ordinary.