The lift opens at Level 6 at 1 Commonwealth, and I immediately wonder if I had stepped into the wrong venue. At the entrance, two young hotties were urging us to be posh with two large Bearbricks, and youthful good looking people were walking along the hallway. But, wait a minute, isn’t this an art exhibition? So how come I feel like I’m in a hip club?
Nestled in the heartlands is a hip office of an art and design collective, Flabslab. Boys and their Toys kicks off their official opening at 1 Commonwealth. Flabslab and fashion photographer Joel Lim, Boys and their Toys is tongue-in-cheek photography, blending pop art with fashion.
The door to the exhibition teases the audience with two holes cut out resembling a peep show.
The exhibition grabs you by the balls the moment you step into the gallery, with full nudity of beautiful female models posing with large plastic toys and frolicking with giant Toy Story Woody, riding high on toy horses. Erotic meal with an overweight Ronald McDonald and teasing the Beatles while bent over. You wonder if you have stepped into Hugh Hefner’s private art gallery. Every hot-blooded man’s fantasy comes true.
The charming and charismatic photographer, Joel Lim
But the exhibition has a deeper meaning. The models are transgender. Hence the title “Boys and their Toys”. Boys or no boys, I felt an inferiority complex just by looking at their perfect bodies and beautiful features.
Jeffrey Koh, the founding partner of FLABSLAB, Singapore, says, “Through this exciting venture with Joel, we want to challenge the straight-laced notions of society and empower individuals to embrace their femininity. The launch of FLABSLAB marks a bold beginning for us, and we look forward to showcasing the works of more artists soon.”
Beauty is through the eyes of the beholder and we should definitely not judge a book by its cover.
About Joel Lim
Joel was awarded ELLE Photographer of the Year at the ELLE Awards 2010, has worked on the Audi Fashion Festival and Blueprint Campaign for Asian Fashion Exchange 2011. His portfolio also features work that includes top local celebrities and fashion stars like Fann Wong, Sheila Sim, Charmaine Harn and Rebecca Tan.
Boys and their Toys will be held at FLABSLAB Gallery from 6 to 13 January 2012. The sale of large format prints will be available at the exhibition. Admission is free of charge and by appointment only.
Dates: Jan 6 -Jan 13
Time: 12pm – 6pm, Other timing by appointment
Venue: FLABSLAB Gallery, One Commonwealth Lane, One Commonwealth
Building, #06-11
Admission is free of charge.
* Exhibition contains nudity, parental advice needed.
