Umbrella-ism
‘When I say the word “umbrella”, you see the object in your mind. You see a kind of stick, with collapsible metal spokes on top that form an armature for a waterproof material which, when opened, will protect you from the rain. This last detail is important. Not only is an umbrella a thing, it is a thing that performs a function – in other words, expresses the will of man. When you stop to think of it, every object is similar to the umbrella, in that it serves a function. A pencil is for writing, a shoe is for wearing, a car is for driving. Now my question is this. What happens when a thing no longer performs its function? Is it still the thing, or has it become something else? When you rip the cloth off the umbrella,is the umbrella still an umbrella?’
Umbrella as shield: A two-fold transformation of the tool to 1. deflect the onslaught of tear gas and pepper spray attacks used by the anti-riot brigade, and 2. to conceal the identity of protestors under a veil of anonymity for fear of persecution. Umbrella as unifying device: To the extent that they can be combined ad-infinitum to connect and mobilise various activist groups, they can also isolate and retreat with relative ease. A protective canopy that can grow, shape-shift and dissolve as such is a palpable weapon for generating spaces of power. Umbrella as symbol: Every political movement needs a polarising element or ‘powder-keg’ moment to rally the masses. The umbrella was adopted as a symbol of solidarity and defiance against the government the moment its potency as a political weapon was realised. The poignancy of a sea of umbrellas marching through Hong Kong is arguably as emblematic as that of the lone unarmed civilian standing in solitude against a succession of military tanks in Tiananmen Square.
If we accept the notion that the relationship between an object and its function is as fickle as the structure of language, then the possibilities are boundless. In many ways, the Umbrella Movement in Hong Kong is a linguistic turn that has enabled a common everyday tool – the umbrella – to be weaponised in a variety of ways for the purposes of peacekeeping and political change. At the core of the conflict is a ruling government struggling to transition political systems against a pro-democratic population adapted to legislative autonomy (socio- economic, cultural and political). Indeed, the lesson learned from past instances of political regression has been that policy advancement is best achieved through non-violent means and negotiation. This is evidenced by the choice of armament – tear gas, pepper spray, water cannons, rubber bullets and bean bags – used by both parties, and their strength of will to prevent feuding heads from escalating to a civil war. The umbrella has been a constant force and symbol by demonstrating an unwavering capacity for peace, connection and understanding.
Paul Auster, City of Glass, p77
Dominique Cheng (b 1979) is a Toronto-based architect/artist/writer. In 2020 he founded NONUMENT – an interdisciplinary design practice committed to creating works and experiences that are layered in meaning, specifically/spatially located and impeccably executed. His work has been widely published and exhibited in North America and Europe. dominiquecheng.com
on site review 36: our material future
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