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M+ Sigg Collection, Hong Kong. By donation, © Weng Fen
On View
Mediatheque
Weng Fen 翁奮
Award Ceremony 頒獎典禮
2001
This video follows the conventional format of an award ceremony at an athletics event—the key difference is that the three medallists are entirely nude. Weng Fen, dressed in a Mao suit and playing the role of master of ceremonies, presents the medals and poses for a photograph with the athletes. An imitation Olympic flag, a Coca-Cola banner signalling corporate sponsorship, and triumphant music add to the faux-official scene.
Weng created his video around the time of Beijing’s successful bid to host the 2008 Summer Olympic Games. The work satirises the cultural obsession with sporting prowess and the absurd nationalism that underpins the Games. In its juxtaposition of clothed authority and naked vulnerability, the work can also be seen as a commentary on award ceremonies as articulations of deeply entrenched power dynamics.
Weng created his video around the time of Beijing’s successful bid to host the 2008 Summer Olympic Games. The work satirises the cultural obsession with sporting prowess and the absurd nationalism that underpins the Games. In its juxtaposition of clothed authority and naked vulnerability, the work can also be seen as a commentary on award ceremonies as articulations of deeply entrenched power dynamics.
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