The Ghosts of Ho Tzu Nyen’s ‘Three Stories’ Take Over Kiang Malingue

Kiang Malingue is currently hosting the exhibition titled “Three Stories: Monsters, Opium, Time“, featuring the latest films and video installations by Singaporean artist Ho Tzu Nyen. The exhibition is organized based on trailokya, or the three spiritual realms – the underworld, earth, and heaven. Each floor of the gallery building represents a unique domain, showcasing different aspects of this intriguing concept.

Ho is renowned for his deep insights into the concept of time, and over the past few years, he has produced three significant works: “Night March of Hundred Monsters” (2021), O for Opium (2023) and a more than 40-piece collection titled Timepieces (2023). Collectively, these works traverse the spectral histories of Japan through yōkai (traditional demons), the aesthetics associated with the opium trade, and the elusive essence of time itself. By merging mythology and history, Three Stories doesn’t just retell the past; it delves into the influences that mold it.

The climax of the show features a cluster of 43 individually tailored screens scattered throughout the venue, titled “Timepieces.” This display serves as an embodiment of the paradoxical nature of time, as Ho provokes thoughts about challenging conventional Western ideas on temporal experiences. It also invites contemplation on the possibility of redefining Southeast Asian perspectives on time, which were historically fluid and unrestricted.

The artist stated recently that a significant aspect of this project was finding a harmonious blend of various elements, as well as creating a balanced existence for diverse types of time without establishing a hierarchy or devolving into meaningless plurality.

Meanwhile, Ho captivates audiences in Hong Kong, it was just announced that Kiang Malingue plans to debut a second venue in New York City. This new outlet is slated to launch in May, with Hiroka Yamashita presiding over the grand opening ceremony.

Three Stories is now on view through May 13, 2025.

Kiang Malingue
10 Sik On St,
Wan Chai, Hong Kong

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