REVISED: The End Time! by Fia Huston

THE END TIME!

By: Fia Huston

     The End Time! by Sin Wai Kin at Canal Projects was groundbreaking and timely given today’s climate. The exhibit’s themes regarding toxic masculinity and the pressures of gender roles in society are not only relevant in today’s climate but also essential for both introspection and mental health awareness. Shown through the artist’s faux reality sitcom, The Time of Our Lives (2024), gender stereotypes are represented in a way that allows viewers to question gender’s relationship with societal standards. The portrayals of these roles enable the audience to reflect on how deeply ingrained these expectations are and how they affect individuals.

    Grappling with the masculine and the feminine sides of one’s self, especially within a male-dominated and binary society, is such a tough reality for the queer community. The other main work of the exhibition, Essence (2024), further explores this by displaying a faux perfume ad, allowing the viewer to look inward at their own biases/experiences, involving themes of self-realization within a society that capitalizes off of these journeys of self-discovery. As film was the medium, the visual storytelling of the exhibit was incredibly impactful, raising both awareness and questions concerning gender and gender roles through a queer perspective.

    Overall, I found the entire exhibit to emulate the idea of constructing one’s reality beyond societal standards and norms for the benefit of queer communities that are underrepresented in today’s culture. It was a powerful and thought-provoking multimedia experience that left a lasting impression on those who engage with its themes.