‘A DENT IN THE ROOM’
as a part of ‘All That Lies Between’, Tegnetriennalen 2023 (Drawing triennial 2023)Tenthaus, Oslo, Norway
13rd Oct—22nd Dec 2023
‘A Dent In The Room’, stainless steel mesh, varnish, silver leaf, painted artificial fruit, zinc spray, wheels; 30 cm (diameter) x 50 cm (height)
(Photo documentation by Øystein Thorvaldsen)
‘While plums are offered as a sign of respect, they are considered disrespectful to spirits because the seeds of these fruits can be excreted from the human body after consumption.’
‘A Dent In The Room’ is one of a series of sculptures exhibited at Tenthaus. This piece draws its inspiration from the cylindrical, hollow paper money burners commonly found in front of Taiwanese homes or along pedestrian arcades. Rooted in the folklore religion shaped by the beliefs of Han Chinese immigrants, these burners serve as open containers for burning offerings and spirit money. Their purpose extends beyond worshipping deities and ancestors; they also serve a practical role in preventing the dispersion of ashes during the burning process. Typically, 'gold paper money' is adorned with gold leaf and burnt as offerings to deities or for seeking blessings, while 'silver paper money' is embellished with silver leaf and burnt for ancestors or spirits. It's believed that unseen beings derive energy from the heat generated by different metals. Another belief suggests that fresh flowers and fruits are used as a welcoming gesture, but these beings actually feed on the smoke.
I delve into the malleability of form and the rigidity of ordinance within ritualistic objects, employing them as a blended metaphor. This journey takes me into the realm of private and personal exchanges, as well as the domain where individuality converges with collectivism. Additionally, it scrutinizes the human and artificial viewpoints that underpin animism, prompting contemplation on whether anything alluded to by human consciousness can be considered a manifestation of personification.
Support:
Norwegian Visual Artists Fund (Billedkunstnernes Vederlagsfond—BKV), Kulturdirektoratet