Seeds and Memory
Seeds and Memory
In a time marked by displacements and constantly shifting identities, the artists envisage an immersive experience that delves deeply into society's intricate weave, probing how the notion of belonging has been sculpted in the Asian diaspora. The installation transforms My Gallery NYC from October 24 to 29 into a dynamic, self-sustaining microcosm, a world within a world where seeds become narratives and visitors metamorphose into avian agents of change.
Upon entering this sanctum, each visitor becomes a bird, vested with the autonomy to move and scatter seeds throughout the space. The space becomes an ethereal, transcendental domain—a fluid, ever-evolving landscape catalyzing a multi-sensory engagement with the art, ancestral pasts, potential futures, static dwelling, and dynamic moving.
Adding a further layer of complexity and intrigue, the artists construct the installation as a Portal to Future Temples, opening avenues for contemplation about spiritual and societal constructs that may come to be. Here, 'temple' is a metaphor for places of gathering, unity, shared experiences, and wisdom. As envisioned by the artists, the temple of the future is one of inclusivity, where we celebrate the failure of 'belonging' and embrace the potentialities of uncertain, fluid formations of community gatherings and creative collectives, resonating with the dynamism that illuminates humans as co-creating creatures in ecological relationships with our more than human relatives in the avian, terrestrial, aquatic, and microbial worlds.
This project is sponsored, in part, by the Greater New York Arts Development Fund of the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA), administered by Brooklyn Arts Council, and is fiscally sponsored by the New York Foundation for the Arts.
Video Credit: DaeQuan Alexander Collier & Fei Li / Photo Credit: Fei Li
The public ritual is in the installation as a Portal to Future Temples, opening avenues for contemplation about spiritual and societal constructs that may come to be. Here, ‘temple’ is a metaphor for places of gathering, unity, shared experiences, and wisdom. In the ritual, we celebrate the failure of ‘belonging’ and embrace the potentialities of uncertain, fluid formations of community gatherings and creative collectives, resonating with the dynamism that illuminates humans as co-creating creatures in ecological relationships with our more than human relatives in the avian, terrestrial, aquatic, and microbial worlds.
Whispers of an ancient future, a blend of reverence and revelation—our group ritual has left an indelible mark on those who gathered with us. We are unveiling the captured essence of this collective ceremony through images and videos. Our performance wove together the threads of the past, present, and the yet-to-come.
In a mesmerizing blend of motion and meaning, our public ritual was graced by the profound artistry of Pacyinz, who led us through the dances of the Hmong and Laos cultures.
Each movement was a whispered dialogue with the past, a tender exploration of belonging that transcended the boundaries of bodies and borders. It was a passage for both artists and audience to connect with a lineage rich in history and wisdom.
As we moved, we conversed with history, with the spirits that guide us, and with the very essence of our being.
The gallery space transformed into a futuristic temple during the last week of October, 2023, where artist Sidian unveiled her interactive installation and performance, “翻花绳Cat’s Cradle.“ This piece, a reimagining of the classic game, was presented in both traditional and monumental, body-sized scales.
Sidian‘s installation beckoned visitors to step through a loop into our collective past, where strings woven between hands weren’t just a game, but a ritual of connection. The traditional ”翻花绳“ unfolded alongside its larger-than-life counterpart, turning the space into a playground of memory and meaning.
In this temporal portal, participants found themselves entwined in strings that danced through fingers and wrapped around bodies. The juxtaposition of scales— from the intimacy of hand-held strings to the encompassing embrace of the body-sized cradle—wove a narrative that spanned generations.
Fei's fingers entwine strands of connection for Aurvi—a ritual mirrored in the projected video where Rabiga, bound by the unjust restraints of visa constraints, performs the same act for Fei. This is a silent dialogue across continents, a defiant stand against the invisible borders that sever us. In every braid lies a story, a shared history, a protest against the systemic barriers that constrain women of color, stifling their movement and voices. This installation—a map of loss, solidarity, and resistance—echoes the unspoken, amplifies the hushed, and moves beyond the physical to challenge a global narrative that too often neglects the unheard.
In the ephemeral glow of our gathering, Dr. Yamuna Sangarasivam led us through a ritual steeped in meaning and memory.
This ritual, captured here in a moment of stillness, is a living dialogue with history, an embodiment of the narratives we carry within us. As we move in synchrony with Dr. Yamuna, we find ourselves part of a larger tapestry—a woven narrative of struggles, joys, and the relentless pursuit of healing and resistance.
Step into this evocative performance led by Aurvi that reimagines the children’s game of tag into a profound narrative dance. We danced under the flicker of lights, our laughter mingling with the pulsating beats, as we revisited the simplicity of childhood through the game of pursuit.
But as we ran and tagged, the game guided us to a deeper reflection. Each touch not only signified the playful chase of 'tag' but also symbolized the transition from the innocence of youth to a reality where 'othering' becomes a tool for oppression and exploitation.
With each round, we dived into the critical question: How do we move from a game of innocent exclusion to recognizing and challenging the systemic 'tagging' that divides us?
This performance is about seeking the paths we can take towards inclusivity and understanding. It's a call to transform 'tagging' from a means of separation into a symbol of empathy and unity.
Let’s reflect on the directions we can take to uplift and support one another, in a world that often forgets the unifying joy found in a simple game of tag.
Join us in contemplating these questions and rediscover the childlike wonder that holds the power to change how we interact with the world. Let's envision a future where the simplicity of a game reminds us of our shared humanity.
Embark on a gastronomic voyage with "Sungka: Shared Plates," an interactive performance led by artist Louise. This performance artfully adapts the beloved game of Sungka into a metaphorical food sharing experience that celebrates communal sustenance and the spirit of giving.
As we navigate through the ebb and flow of this immersive game, each move becomes an act of communal feasting, echoing the traditional values of generosity and togetherness inherent in many Asian cultures. It's a ritual that transcends play, turning the act of sharing food into a profound narrative of connection.
we were attempting to weave memories into a tangible thread. The gallery space transformed into an avian world amidst waves of endless oceans—a realm unbounded by societal precepts, a canvas awash in the palette of human emotion.
From the moment you crossed the threshold, you were a co-creator. The walls, once barriers, melted away to reveal skies where you could fly; floors turned into tides you could wade through. Strangers metamorphosed into fellow travelers, each adding new colors and dimensions to a collective narrative.
We danced. We spoke. We took to the skies and dived into the seas. Our bodies communicated in the raw language of movement, and our souls in the dialect of silence. Love and abundance flowed like a mighty river, breaking the dams of isolation we often construct around ourselves. You gifted me spaces of freedom; I offered you havens of peace.
We are healing through the prism of collective creation. Our dialogues became dedications to ancestors who lived and breathed in different times yet experienced the same spectrum of joys, sorrows, and hopes. It was an articulation of grief—moans that sought to echo beyond the confines of the gallery, to reverberate through the annals of history, mourning the struggles and pains we face in an age of state violence and systemic oppression.
Together, we drafted a cartography of the human spirit, a geography of shared experiences. And while the installation is transient, the essence will persist—both a lamentation and a hymn, a living archive and a totem for what's yet to come.
In our exhibition, artists Gloria and Louise created an interactive altar, infused with their evocative drawings and paintings, invoking both reflection and connection. This installation invited strangers to partake in a beautiful exchange of messages, delicately wrapped in 利事. The fervor with which visitors engaged in this ephemeral encounter was fascinating, depleting our prepared stock of 利事 in a heartbeat.
In a communion that defied the constraints of space and time, messages from unknown souls created threads of unseen connections. These symbolic exchanges transcended the tangible, weaving shared experiences together. The altar, thus, became a crucible for encounters that bridged distances through a poetic and metaphorical act. Click to witness the beauty of human connection.
We unfolded wings of paper and spirit as visitors transformed into avian messengers with every paper plane launch. Led by Fei, this ritual, rooted in the simplicity of childhood games, soared into a profound exchange of introspection and connection.
27 questions, 27 paper planes, each a vessel carrying questions: ”Who holds the fragments of your grief?“ ”What currents of life‘s rivers are unswimmable for you?“ ”Where do you hear the familiar cadence of your mother tongue?”… These questions flew from hand to hand as strangers connected through the whimsy of flight and the gravity of shared human curiosity.
This futuristic temple, where gathering, unity, and shared wisdom converge, witnessed the alchemy of interaction. Here, in the heart of our ritual, we danced on the edge of ’belonging,‘ embracing the beautiful uncertainty of human connection and its infinite potential.
We witnessed the powerful communion at the Communal Altar in the shared sanctuary of creation. Attendees brought fragments of their worlds—photos, heirlooms, words, and fabrics, each thread weaving into our collective narrative.
As they stepped into our space, they transitioned from audience to co-creator, dissolving the walls that once confined us, crafting a realm where freedom took flight. In this transformative act, strangers became allies, each contributing a new hue to our shared tale.
In this gathering, we did more than create; we healed. Each offering at the altar, each motion in the air was a tribute to our ancestors, a balm for our present. This ritual was our resistance, our roar against the silence, our solidarity in the face of solitude.
The story we etched in this space is ephemeral yet eternal—a living archive, a map of spirits converging, a promise of what’s yet to unfold.
