Crazy about M+

“Daddy, is crazy a bad word?” Pangzi hesitantly asked on the plane to Hong Kong.”

“Funny that you asked,” I said, “because I’m taking you to a crazy woman’s exhibition at M+ the minute we land.”

“What’s M+?”

“That’s the latest contemporary art museum in Hong Kong at the West Kowloon waterfront promenade.”

“Overlooking the Victoria Harbour?”

“You bet. It’s fast becoming the coolest place to hang out in Hong Kong. Beside M+ is a series of eateries that you’ll have to book in advance to go for meals.”

“But you haven’t answered my question,” Pangzi suddenly remembered.

“Oh, crazy? It can be a positive word, to express astonishment for example. Like this M+ we’re visiting – crazy huge. But the admission tickets – crazy expensive.”

“Even when used on people?” Pangzi wondered.

“Why not. Michael Jordan, the world’s best basketballer ever – he’s crazy. Go see his moves on YouTube. Mariah Carey, the singer with the high notes – she’s crazy. Check out her dolphin sound. And so on…” I rattled off.

“Daddy, who are these people – from your generation?”

Ouch.

“Anyway, why do you ask?” I said. “Someone called you crazy?”

“Who’s this crazy woman we’re seeing at M+?” he asked back, avoiding my probe.

“Yayoi Kusuma. Most successful contemporary artist alive. Still going strong at age 93.”

“Is she really crazy?”

“In many ways. Crazy and talented. Crazily talented. Her famous polka dots designs are out of this world.”

“How’s that bad?”

“Well, she has also admitted to suffering from mental issues. In fact she paints and creates as a form of relief.”

“I see. That’s… crazy.”

“So are you telling me who called you crazy?” I returned to the topic. “You’re not leaving here till we get to the bottom of this.”

“It’s nothing you need to worry about,” Pangzi assured.

“Whoever calls you crazy, you fight him. Make sure he bleeds!”

“It’s… it’s a her.”

“Okay, better still. Surely she’s no match for your taekwando super kicks?”

“She didn’t call me crazy. She said she’s crazy… about me.”

I don’t know how it happens, but whatever he’s doing in school he’s doing it right.

We were here: