Vertical Submarine is an artist collective consisting of three members, Fiona Koh, Joshua Yang and Justin Loke. The collective’s artworks are often societal commentaries, presented in a playful and interactive manner, whereby the viewer is invited to explore and uncover hidden meanings. The collective has won three awards since its formation in 2003, including the inaugural President’s Young Talents 2009 Credit Suisse Artist Residency Award. It has participated in local projects and exhibitions, including the Singapore Art Show 2007 and the annual Zouk event, Zoukout 2008 and 2009.Vertical Submarine’s works often explore themes of books and the practice of reading. Titled ‘DeComposition I’, the project consists of seven books that do not fulfil the functions of a book, for example, a book that cannot be opened and another with sentences erased. These books illustrate the two meanings one can derive from the title: a break down of structure and stability; and the process of decay, implying the death of reading in this world full of new media.
