[生老病死 “Birth, Aging, Sickness, and Death”] 2024

[ Image/installation]

The project revisits childhood memories with the artist great-grandmother and explores the philosophical and religious themes of "birth, aging, illness, and death," as well as the idea that "dust returns to dust, earth returns to earth." The project examines the relationship between humans and nature, delving into thoughts on life, death, and personal identity. It also critically reflects on traditional feudal concepts of life and death through personal experiences.

In the first week of the assignment, the artist received a message from his parents that his great-grandmother had passed away. As he was studying in New Zealand, his parents asked him not to worry about things at home, assuring him that they would take care of everything and urging him to stay in New Zealand to complete his studies. The suddenness of this event left him feeling lost, helpless, and guilty. The last meeting with his great-grandmother was in January. Yuhao decided to use art to re-establish his connection with his great-grandmother

First Video: Sunrise, symbolizing "Birth,"

Second Video: Empty Shells, symbolizing "Death,"

Third Video: Depths of Memory

The third video provides a textual understanding, expressing Yuhao's thoughts and feelings. The background features “Wontons”, a childhood memory with his great-grandmother. Since her passing, he has been contemplating death and the relationship between humans and the earth, realizing that birth, aging, illness, and death are parts of the natural cycle. As Taoism believes, adhering to natural law emphasizes that humans should live in harmony with nature, seeing life and death as natural processes. Laozi emphasized in the "Tao Te Ching" that "Tao follows nature," meaning all things follow their natural course.

Reflecting the quote "If memory is finite, what matters the most when remembering an individual?" on Tan Jing's "Inlet of Arid Dreams." Artist delves into his memories, guided by phenomenology and narrative philosophy, which suggest that memory is not merely a simple recollection of the past but an understanding of the world through subjective experiences. This helps individuals determine self-awareness and self-reflection, thereby constructing self-identity. He recalls his childhood memories with his great-grandmother and finds that he cherishes their shared experiences more than her appearance. In meditation, he often reflects on the times spent with her, reinforcing the importance of these shared memories.

Installation and Experience

The entire work is a multi-channel silent video. Yuhao aims to convey a sense of tranquility and reflection through silent, dynamic visual impact. For the installation, he created a triangular plinth that viewers must walk around to see the entire work, corresponding to the idea that "life and death are a cycle."

Through this artistic form, artist hopes that viewers can feel his longing and gratitude for his great-grandmother and be inspired to deeply reflect on life and death, nature, human relationships, and self-identity.

Video links:
https://youtu.be/lA8_CjbLY9s

https://youtu.be/sLTbU8Qcvyc

https://youtu.be/JNWPEDzRQqY