An art exhibition that introduces modern Singapore culture was launched last Friday (Feb. 1) in Paris.

The exhibition features various forms of artwork by 11 artists from Singapore, ranging from audiovisuals to live performances, graphic designs and traditional drawings.

'Chope' a spot in the exhibition

Among these, one artist, Rizman Putra, dressed up as a 3-ply tissue pack at this exhibition.

From the pictures posted of his artwork, he appears to simply 'chope' (reserve) any spot he likes in the exhibition.

And in place of “Beautex”, which is the tissue brand whose packets are designed in this manner, he had put the word “Grotesque”.

Rizman’s objective is to showcase the 'chope' culture which, as most of us know, is unique to Singapore.

In an interview with Channel NewsAsia, he shared that 'choping' can be a strange concept for visitors to Singapore to grasp, but this is, of course, an everyday event in Singapore.

Here's a Google translation of this post from the Singapore embassy in Paris:

“We have to explain this piece of art performance: in our home, Kleenex has become the most used way by the customers of the " Hawker Centres " (Catering Centres) to book (or rather " catch ") their place. The artist disguised himself as a handkerchief package to claim spaces and claim property on visitors!”

Online reactions are mostly positive too, mostly amused by this idea.

Presenting modern Singapore

The exhibition’s curator, Iman Ismail, said in the CNA video that arts and culture present the essence and the psyche of what Singaporeans are.

Therefore, besides showcasing artworks, there was even a Lo Hei session, a tradition Singaporean Chinese commonly participate in to celebrate Chinese New Year.

This exhibition is also a creative convergence of both France and Singapore, serving as a platform for the creative exchange of ideas between artists from both countries.

It’s a collaboration between the Urban Art Fair in Paris and a few Singapore government agencies such as the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, the National Arts Council, the Singapore Tote Board and Singapore Tourism Board.

Here are some other art pieces at this exhibition, which is on till Feb. 19, 2019.

Top photo collage from Rizman Putra Facebook post and Singapore Embassy in Paris Facebook post