Mars became an escape for Hong Kong artist during the pandemic – now his work uses space and the Red Planet to mock social media and consumerism
- Ernest Chang’s solo exhibition, ‘Space Rich’, takes a swipe at society’s obsession with social media and consumerism while asking if we can escape them
- The Hong Kong-based exhibition was informed by the pandemic, in which he ‘obsessed about Mars and imagined the extreme isolation that astronauts must feel’
Ernest Chang’s solo exhibition “Space Rich”, at The Stallery in Wan Chai on Hong Kong Island, transports the viewer to another world.
But do not worry – on this barren Mars landscape you can still use your smartphone, check into a luxury hotel and buy a designer handbag, all while sipping that well-known brand of sugary cola.
A pattern seems to be emerging. In his 2021 “Bling Dynasty” exhibition, Chang manipulated symbols from pop culture and luxury brands that have infiltrated our subconscious.
“During isolation, I obsessed about Mars and imagined the extreme isolation that astronauts must feel,” says Chang, a confessed space nut.
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Putting his pandemic-induced seclusion into perspective made him feel less anxious. “It became a ‘vacation’ for my mind.”
It also forced Chang to reconsider his romanticised vision of space travel and accept the harsh realities of it, leading to a greater appreciation of what he has on Earth.
“Extreme wealth catapults the mega-rich into outer space in the name of space exploration,” says Chang. “Is this the ultimate metaphor of how physically and mentally detached the ultra-wealthy are from the realities of the majority on this planet? Are we exploring or exploiting this new frontier and condemning other worlds to the problems we have here on Earth?”
While Chang’s message is serious – and bleak – he spreads it with his tongue firmly embedded in his cheek.
In The Child of Space (2023), the Prada shop will ring bells – it is Prada Marfa (2005), the permanent sculptural installation by Berlin-based artists Elmgreen & Dragset on the isolated Route 90 in Texas.
To add an extra dimension to the gallery, Chang lined the interior and exterior with silver tinfoil.
“When my two-year-old niece entered the gallery space she had a huge smile on her face and started doing zoomies,” he says.
Chang can relate to that childlike sense of wonder. He was born to Hong Kong parents in the US state of Florida, home to The Walt Disney World Resort.
“I love that my work appeals to adults and kids,” he says. “You want art to make people smile.”
“Space Rich” is at The Stallery, 82A Stone Nullah Lane, Wan Chai, until June 4.
