1a space proudly presents Ways of Surviving Through Accelerated Mindfulness, a group exhibition curated by Wu Mo, showcases artworks of six artists from Europe and Hong Kong including Joana Brunkow, Zaida Guerrero Casado, Elva Lai賴明珠, Marie-Eve Levasseur, Peggy Pehl and Grażyna Roguski.
Ways of Surviving Through Accelerated Mindfulness
Opening: 12 October 2017, 6:30 pm – 9 pm
Artist Dialogue: 12 October 2017, 7 pm;
Discussants: Joana Brunkow, Zaida Guerrero Casado, Elva Lai賴明珠, Marie-Eve Levasseur, Peggy Pehl and Grażyna Roguski, hosted by Wu Mo
Exhibition:
Date: 13th October 2017 – 29th October 2017
Time: Tuesday to Sundays 11 am – 7 pm (closed on Mondays)
Address: 1a space
Unit 14, Cattle Depot Artist Village, 63 Ma Tau Kok Road,
To Kwa Wan, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Enquiry: 25290087/ info@oneaspace.org.hk
Facebook: 1a space
In Buddhist terms, “mindfulness” is considered as an important meditation method. It emphasizes the idea of focusing on “this moment”, looking into one’s heart with an open and non-judgemental attitude. In this process, the body also becomes easy and peaceful. Nowadays, the practice of “mindfulness” is already beyond the field of Buddhism, and has been extensively studied and adopted in the fields of philosophy, psychology, and neurology. However, can such a slowdown training of the body and the mind effectively adapt to the accelerating “Society of Spectacle”? In the capitalist mode of production, is intentional “mindfulness” becomes a utilitarian way to meet the requests of speed and efficiency? When one’s need of looking into the heart calmly becomes an unrealistic demand, how does the body follow the rhythm of the minds?
Ways of Surviving Through Accelerated Mindfulness includes new works of six European and Hong Kong artists. They currently work and live in Berlin and Leipzig, Germany. By exploring the concepts of the human body, the positive/negative space, and the material/immaterial environment, their practices attempt to investigate the questions above. In addition, the differences between the development of East Germany and West Germany, and the political and social changes that have arisen in Europe in recent years have also affected their media and methodology choices.
Joana Brunkow focuses on the involvement and intervention of the sound in the urban space. Her artistic practice pursues the senses beyond the human body. Using the voice as an intermediary, the body, the consciousness and the spirit may reach the more abundant levels.
Zaida Guerrero Casado deals with the space and the interaction with the visitor. In her point of view, space is not just a container but a body itself with its own identity and characteristics, in which the visitor is not only an observer but an active part. This interaction will constantly produce new contexts and information that continually activate each other.
Elva Lai grew up in Hong Kong as an immigrant. The experience of instability, the frequent spatial conversion, and the emotional effects caused by separation composed the main part of her personal experiences. In Europe, the communication with Syrian refugees inspires her to adopt Sociological methods to compare the migrations in different social and cultural contexts. The expression of fragility and anxiety thus becomes the core trait of her photography and video works.
Marie-Eve Levasseur ’s practice often involves the concept of “surface”, especially the skin as the human body’s surface. In the process of using intelligent electronic devices, “touch” is the core of the interaction, the concerns and reading regarding to these issues forms the main references of her 3D animation works.
Peggy Pehl ’s works often transform the humble objects/medias in everyday life into small installations with fairy tale charms. They can often create an unexpected atmosphere when they occupy the space in a casual way.
Grażyna Roguski focuses on the using of various fabrics or discarded garments. She considers these materials as “relics” of human society. In the process of splicing and deformation, the fabrics are presented in either planar form or as an installation, which creates a space full of conflicts and changes.