FairPrice “Requested” Darryl Soh Apologise For His Viral Artwork on 2019 Novel Coronavirus
And a big-picture chat on bootlegging, creative license, meme culture
What happened?
Was talking to a friend about “Wuhan”. My brother, who studies veterinary science, also shared:
- Bats, among other animals, carry high-profile viruses, aren’t necessarily affected by them
- After you cook bats, they don’t have any more viruses. Bats ≠ “Wuhan”
- “Zoonotic transmission” (animals transmitting viruses to humans) is rare
- It’s not just the consumption, but the trade; it’s more through handling, getting scratched, bitten
Recalled reading people being judgemental, racist towards Chinese people, even those not from Wuhan. “You should drop the ‘Wuhan’, you shouldn’t be here.” Saw videos of wild animals being traded in wet markets, don’t think they’d ever reach “supermarket” level.
I also follow a lot of designers on Instagram; saw this picture of meat packaged in clear plastic. Had the idea to take an “illegal” animal in nice packaging, with nutrition label, serving size, as though it were ready-to-consume everyday food.
Contemplated including the Fairprice logo. Felt it helped make impact.
Why?
Singaporeans consume exotic animals like frog and turtle. Let’s not rule out the possibility we may eat bats in the future. Laws can change.
I wanted to scare people and make them think. There was humour too. My caption was, “Bon Appetit. I made this in the name of fun don’t attac mi”.
I wanted to do versions with rats, snakes. Decided not to post them later.
My friends said FairPrice might sue me for using their logo and “damaging their reputation” or “fake news”. But I thought it was pretty obviously satire, didn’t think anyone would be dumb enough to think it may have been real.
Positive response.
“Since when FairPrice packaging so nice? They should hire you.” People shared it in support of me as a designer. I didn’t expect it to blow up.
I was not concerned it would be considered “fake news”.
NTUC FairPrice.
Then I saw this:
Immediately archived the post; not because I was sorry for posting it, but concerned about the “confusion” and “unrest” it made.
I heard someone screenshot my post and put it on Facebook, which is more #boomer-dominant. It was labelled evil, insensitive, fake news, dangerous to the “community”.
It sparked the comment that boomers can’t take a joke. “Boomers are #quaking,” “The aunties on Whatsapp are losing it.”
FairPrice reached out to ask for an apology by 10 February. They didn’t mention what would happen if I didn’t post it.
Your “apology”.
I was angry, didn’t feel I should apologise. It’s not my fault people can’t comprehend what I did. And then I thought about it: not everyone gets satire, likes the same type of art/design.
I don’t think it’s fair to say I did anything to Fairprice’s reputation. Others may disagree.
The same people who’re unhappy about my image are probably the people who hoarded supplies.
I’ll admit I used their logo without authorisation (causing accidental confusion), and I apologised for that. I don’t apologise for the creation of the satirical image, posting it to make people think.
Did you “gave in”?
A little. But I was in position to leave the picture there.
I couldn’t afford to know what would happen if I didn’t apologise by 10 Feb.
In their statement, FairPrice called me mischievous. My friends warned me FairPrice may have been trying to provoke me.
In Singapore you’re treading on thin ice. I’m not going to stop doing me, but I’ll have to be more careful.
What if your artwork was doctored and published as fake news?
Not my fault. Anything can be repackaged.
You.
Studied Communication Design, liked website, application design, advertising. Developed interest in bootleg design. During a school camp, each team had to come up with a bottle design. Once during a meeting my team bought a lot of Evian water bottles. Our team name had similar initials, I suggested we stick our names in a similar type on bottles.
“Bootleg design”.
Bootleg design was introduced to me through vintage clothing. I run Retrospectives. I saw Nike, Chanel designs I’d never seen before (from the real brands). I wondered why brands would allow bootleg designs, they could’ve easily sued. Then I realised they must’ve seen the bigger picture.
I saw creativity, flair. Because it’s design brands themselves may not do, it makes people want to wear it more. It’s #gangsta.
What makes something viral?
- Absurdity
- Relatability
- Talking about something in the news
I didn’t intend for my artwork to be viral.
