Reduced to One: How 'no idea' Stole the Show
Introduction
“No Idea” has been on quite a journey. First appearing in 2012 during Amir Zainorin’s photo performance Sign of Times in Copenhagen with photographer Maher Khatib, the phrase emerged from public interactions around the question: “What comes to mind when I say the word ‘No?’” A decade later, during a residency at Fyns Grafiske Værksted in Odense, No Idea resurfaced as a silkscreen text series on pages of an old Danish atlas. From playful exchanges in the street to carefully arranged works on the gallery wall, the project has evolved into a reflection on language, geography, and the unexpected power of simplicity.
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Origins in Copenhagen (2012)
The story of No Idea began in 2012 with Sign of Times, a photo performance in Copenhagen created with photographer Maher Khatib. Driving around the city for a day, I held up signs and asked strangers: “What pops into your mind when I say the word ‘No?’” The answers were as diverse as the people—funny, puzzling, thought-provoking. From that exchange, No Idea emerged: a phrase so simple, yet so full of possibility.
Resurfacing in Odense (2022)
Fast forward a decade to my residency at Fyns Grafiske Værksted (Funen Printmaking Studio) in Odense. Here, No Idea resurfaced as a text-based silkscreen series printed onto the delicate surfaces of a Danish atlas. The tension between text and maps created playful overlaps—words colliding with geography, hinting at both chance and meaning.
Exhibition at Kapallorek (2024)
When it came time to exhibit the series at In Between Worlds (Kapallorek Artspace, Perak), nine works were initially selected. With the help of technician Akmal Sabran and curator Anna Cuomo, the pieces were mounted on boards for a polished finish. But during installation, something unexpected happened: Akmal placed No Idea at the center of the wall. Suddenly, the other works seemed unnecessary. One piece was enough.
A Statement in Simplicity
What began as nine works became one. No Idea held its ground, commanding attention and redefining the entire series. Sometimes, less is more. The piece transformed into a statement about simplicity, focus, and the strange power of a phrase that both says nothing and everything.
For now, No Idea has stolen the spotlight, reminding me that sometimes the best ideas come from “no idea” at all.
“No Idea, 2022 — Silkscreen on atlas paper, installation view at Kapallorek Artspace, Perak.”
“Installation view of No Idea and other works, In from the Margins, Edinburgh Printmakers, Scotland, 2023.”
