EXHIBITION
2024
“What does it mean to read a book?”
As physical books continue to fade away from our everyday, what are we losing? Are we slowly losing a certain sensibility towards things, textures and space? Do we become less sensitive to light hues and tonalities? Are we unable to keep our hands in certain fixed position for long periods of time, of which it is not tedium that defines the duration but the gentle interaction with the book’s physical materiality….
In today’s era of artificial intelligence, we find ourselves once again questioning our own humanity. Amidst this uncertainty, this exhibition has chosen the book as both subject and context to explore and interrogate the intrinsic human behaviours associated with reading. It raises the discussion of how the humble book will continue to resist the digitisation of our reading experience, not out of nostalgia or resistance to change, but as a necessity to understand what reading truly means.
‘BOOK?’
26 September–6 October 2024
National Library Building, Singapore
‘BOOK?’ is presented across 5 levels of the National Library Building during the Singapore Design Week.
Exhibition Director: Atelier HOKO
Festival Curator: Hans Tan
Concept Books Fabrication: theotherworkroom
Spatial Design: Iyan / Atelier HOKO
Research assistant: Soo Yeon Bae
Graphic Design: Charlotte Chan / Atelier HOKO
Sponsor: DesignSingapore Council
Support: National Library Board
Guest Contribution:
‘Magnifier fingernail’
Concept: Naoko Kubo
Development: Atelier HOKO
Fabrication: Catherine Hu