This month, First Edition connected with RNH Space founder and curator, Yang Jiang, and artist, Cucurrucucu, to discuss the themes and works presented in her first solo exhibition in Hong Kong - Waste Not. Ongoing till 23 October 2021 at RNH Space, an intimate independent art space located in Tai Kok Tsui, Waste Not is the first chapter of the three image-based satellite exhibition series Reality Overdose.

Designed for encapsulating free and multi-faceted manifestations of emotions and philosophies, RNH Space regularly hosts cross-media art exhibitions and related programmes since 2020. It aims to explore the diverse trajectories of vulnerability as a discourse upon the interweaving nature between meticulous observations and intricate perceptions through close collaborations with artists of all kinds.

Composed by cut outs from vintage magazines published in the last century, Cuccurucucu’s collages create novel images based on personal memories and fantasies. As we learned more about the artist’s habit of collecting magazines in batches from second-hand stores during her years abroad in San Francisco, we began to realize how much this intricate process has shaped her creative vision. Her playful method of decontextualizing images and repurposing them to create alternate realities evoke both empathy and humour from the viewer.

Apart from covering significant topics in Waste Not, we also had the opportunity to hear Yang and Currucucu share about their unique cultural experiences in mainland, Hong Kong and the US, such as sourcing retro frames in local neighborhood thrift stores. Tune in for more content that inspires you to creatively and unapologetically express yourselves!