Meanwhile, the official motto of Min Guhong Manufacturing is “(laugh).” What follows is its explanation.
Min Guhong Manufacturing’s latest product, (laugh), is a multipurpose poster that—true to its title—features the word “(laugh).” The notation “(laugh)” [(笑)] is said to have originated with stenographers in the Japanese parliament during World War II. Today, it appears in transcripts of talks and interviews to describe the speaker’s or audience’s reaction, soften serious statements, or invert meaning altogether. Sometimes, it serves as a quiet signal of self-contained autism, especially among those immersed in subcultures. In every case, the tone of “(laugh)”—hearty or faint, amused or bitter—depends entirely on context. How does language become useful? And if a word can be useful, can it be just as useful on a poster? In response to this question’s latent hope, (laugh) takes it upon itself to represent “(laugh)” in an exhibition about useful words. Even if the word “laugh,” gracefully typeset in Choi Jeongho’s elegant parentheses, strikes some as no more than a feeble chuckle—so what? After all, it’s now scientifically proven: “Laughter brings good luck.” (laugh)