As time defines history and
events turn into memories, time itself again stands in the way to recall both
as the constantly changing subjectiveness
of presence determines the perspective of view onto the past.
The seven chambers are designed
to cut the visitor, the exhibited art of the private collection and the
occasional cultural and communal events out of the context of the presence to
create a moment of individual reception, reflection and interaction with the long
lasting history of China without any influence of singular materiality of
temporary circumstances, creating the opportunity of a silent encounter with
various objects and art pieces, documenting the long way of thousands years of
Chinese history, leading to the day, which is today. The materiality of the
physical context is left in the dark, whereas the objects stand artificially
lit from above, mimicking the rays of light on a day somewhere in history that
will not end, suggesting an individual timeless focus onto their appearance and
unexplained aim of creation. Other than in conservative exhibitions, the
purpose is not to showcase a set of art pieces and put these into the order of
a catalogue, but to travel through time on a dark path, guided by the light,
shining from chamber to chamber. The visitor is left alone with his individual
reception and interpretation of cultural, religious, social or political expression
and intention of the exhibits. 5000 years of history are taken out of the
temporary reception and interpretation of political and economical currency to
enable a personnel encounter with the heritage, which led to the present day.
In contrast to the timeless
inside, a subliminal sound installation outside the seven chambers invites the
visitor to experience and exercise body and mind in direct relation to its
surroundings and practice Tai Chi Chuan, an elemental traditional Chinese understanding
of coherency of individual and context.
As mind and body obviously
stand in close coherency with its context, the path which led to the existing
context often remains in the dark of our fading memories and forgotten history.