In honor of the second Formula 1 Singtel Singapore Grand Prix, Singapore’s brand new upscale ION Orchard shopping center is showing an edgy and controversial collection of banged-up, twisted and bullet-holed stainless steel race cars by Indonesian artist Pintor Sirait (above). The exhibit, aptly titled “Race Cars,” features six cars called Victory, Playboy, Target, Desire, XOXOXO and Democracy and several helmets.
Sirait gave me a passionate rundown of his concept, which he originally created for a gallery which asked for fetish pieces. “I thought about what Asians fantasize about, and race cars are the new thing.” He went on to explain that the cars symbolize the way the East and West are crashing together.
The cars are emblazoned with provocative words and phrases like “Heaven n’ Hell,” “Self-Confidence Sucks” and “DEMOCRACY” on a car ridden with bullet-holes. Each has a theme and invites us to contemplate the way Western ideas are “racing” into the East.
Sirait’s concept of “crashing” also addresses the way that Asia is pushing back and bringing their culture and customs to the West, as well. “With all the different ideas in the world, I want people to think about who is right, what is best,” says Sirait. Click here to view the cars on Pintor Sirait’s website!
And P.S. that link contains an uploaded version of his catalog — he shoots an actual bullet through that bottom circle on each hard copy, which I have here next to me. Badass!
Photo by Annie Scott.