A CONVERSATION SPARKED BY MELINDA LUISA DE JESUS’ “HAY(NA)KU BRAINWASH”
The conversation unfolded through email with John Bloomberg-Rissman sharing his "Mirror, mirror ..." with Marton Koppány. His email was accompanied by an image of Melinda Luisa de Jesus' sculpture, "hay(na)ku brainwash." Marton Koppány replied with "Dear John,". John Bloomberg-Rissman replied with a second email. *** Mirror, mirror ... By John Bloomberg-Rissman OK. I am walking up to a full-length mirror that’s a foot or so from the wall, set in a white stand. The mirror has text etched into it. Now I am standing in front of the mirror. I read the text before I look at my face. I think of being in a museum. I almost always read the little card with the artist’s name and date before looking at the artwork. I often wonder whether it might be more interesting to look at the art first. But in this case what is the art? Anyway, I read. At the top of the mirror: Imperialist washing machine loaded with Filipinos set to...