100ish Meaningless Statements is a collection of 100(ish) sentences that meditates on, explores and subverts the uses and functions of paper in our lives, as well as the various meanings ascribed to it. As text, it communicates a spectrum of meanings and provocations to the reader – from nonsensical axioms and philosophical questions, to pop cultural references, commentaries on social relations and instructions for creative response. The text positions paper as material, and yet also imbues it with personality and voice, giving it agency to turn its gaze back onto humanity and society. In 100ish Meaningless Statements, paper also becomes a placeholder for the self, full of randomness, emotion, and life.

 

This dynamic work is also an exercise in performativity, poetry and visual design, and is open to digital consumption and interpretation. It moves us towards a possible future of what "paper" can be – writ large and limited only by the imagination.

 

This work was created collaboratively with design outfit Sarah and Schooling. It was presented at Singapore Art Museum as part of the exhibition Superfluous Things: Paper which ran from 28 May to 14 August 2022.

 

Founded in 2013, Sarah and Schooling is the eponymous design practice of Sarah Tang and Alison Schooling. As an ardent supporter of Singapore’s literary scene, we are actively involved in designing books and publications across multiple genres. Notable examples of the studio's work include historically significant titles such as The Collected Poems of Arthur Yap (NUS Press) and Gopal Barathams' series of books including A Candle Or The Sun, Sayang, The Collected Short Stories, and Moonrise, Sunset (Marshall Cavendish). Whether it’s a book, brand or space, we believe in the power of storytelling and seek to develop visual narratives with meaningful communication. We also teach, curate and consult. For us, design is a collaboration. We are an intentionally small team that listens and collaborates closely with our clients to create intriguing, emotion-driven work that functions for our client’s goals and resonates with their audience.

 

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