No go for art work featuring S'pore dollar

[Jman888]

No go for art work featuring S'pore dollar

09/01/2014 on mypaper by BENSON ANG

MONEY WOES: Artist Chen with his work, a 53m-long installation named Prosperity Tunnel that uses reproductions of $2, $5, $10 and $50 notes. It is being taken down because it breached Monetary Authority of Singapore guidelines. (PHOTO: CASEY CHEN)

AN ART installation that uses reproductions of $2, $5, $10 and $50 notes is being taken down because it breached Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) guidelines.

The 53m-long installation, named Prosperity Tunnel, was commissioned by Jurong Point and created by Mr Casey Chen, 42.

It is located along the underground walkway between Jurong Point and Boon Lay Bus Interchange and was slated to run until Feb 28.

It was made using wallpaper and stickers printed with images of currency notes. The notes are not exact copies as each is about 30 per cent larger than an actual note and has the word "specimen" printed in red.

The New Paper understands that on Monday MAS contacted Jurong Point after receiving feedback from the public regarding the art work.

When contacted, MAS referred us to its website which stated that approval must be sought and a permit is required for any reproduction.

Also, among other conditions, the reproduction's length and width must be enlarged to at least 150 per cent or reduced to 60 per cent or less of a genuine currency note.

Those who break the law can be fined $2,000 and/or jailed for three months.

Mr Chen did not apply for a permit. He said: "I was not aware that I had to. I thought it was enough to print the word 'specimen' on each reproduction.

"I accept I will have to adjust my design. In hindsight, I should have done more research on the guidelines."

Ms Lynette Lee, senior marketing communications manager at Jurong Point, said: "We saw an opportunity to turn the art walk into a prosperity tunnel where we hope good fortune will rub off on our shoppers.

"We trusted that Mr Chen would carry out the necessary research and would have taken the necessary measures to ensure everything was in order."

Mr Chen said the idea was to make people feel happy and prosperous.

"I want everyone walking through this tunnel to feel like a millionaire. Through this installation, I wish to draw viewers' attention to how we use money and examine the details we see in money," said Mr Chen, who began putting up the installation two weeks ago.

Feedback on the installation has been positive, he said. "I've seen many people walk out of the tunnel smiling.

"Some even thanked me for brightening up their day."

But he said someone had vandalised the art work over the weekend, removing a 30cm by 30cm portion from it.

Photographer Ivan Loh, 43, who walked through the tunnel last Sunday, said: "Anybody who thinks it's real money is probably not in their right mind.

"The 'money' is pasted on the walls and ceilings - this is clearly an art installation." --The New Paper

 

 

Honest mistake, i also thought just by adding 'specimen' is good enough

[Kxbc]

He should have used this note. More huat ($1B denomination) and no need prior approval.

 

[Picanto]

who paid for the installation?

 

 

Honest mistake, i also thought just by adding 'specimen' is good enough

 

 

[RadX]

He should have used this note. More huat ($1B denomination) and no need prior approval.

 

 

 

this one you line the walls of the columbarium

[Jman888]

who paid for the installation?

 

 

it says Jurong Point Mall.

[Kangadrool]

This one can consider art?

 

Think could be this tasteless art that drive people to complain to MAS.

[Kezg1]

 

 

Honest mistake, i also thought just by adding 'specimen' is good enough

 

 

Damn..too many restriction....slowly the volcano will erupt...2nd tot they might invite him just like the stickler lady aka "my grandfather road"

[Throttle2]

Maybe it made some people angry, seeing so much "money" yet have no access to it?

[Wyfitms]

want them to feel like millionaire? and also not in breach of MAS rules?

 

print CPF statements on the wallpaper lah!

 

[Mustank]

 

 

 

 

 

Honest mistake, i also thought just by adding 'specimen' is good enough

 

 

Use japanese banana note mah

At least got historical significance

[Hotshot85]

Crap la, what we wanna do, gotta ask permission. What they wanna do, just do nia and wait and see whether their experiments/initiatives will work or not.

[Kiadaw]

I will not allow him to put it up as well. Its an insult to call this art, & insult to artists to call this person an artist.

[Nicholas]

I will not allow him to put it up as well. Its an insult to call this art, & insult to artists to call this person an artist.

 

Everything can be art. Art to someone, may be crap to others.

 

For instance, I don't understand why the below art can sell for 44 million. The bangalas drawing our road lines can probably do a better job.

 

 

 

My own interpretation of the money tunnel is that the art is only happening when you walk through the tunnel.