Journey of a Yellow Man No.6: History and Self
4th Asian Art Show
Installation and performance
Setagaya Art Museum Apr 5 -May 14 1995
Whenever we discuss present issues and current affairs, we often refer back to history. There has been much talk and speculation about the approaching end of the 20th century. But what is history? How do we frame it? Whose history are we talking about?
We are in the midst of History. Being products of a historical consciousness and living in an age of information, we obsessively follow the daily news. Domestic news of celebrations, tales of crimes, global ecological crisis, economic woes...Seemingly they are neutral stories of facts and figures. Do we need to keep our guard less we drown ourselves in a sea of meaningless data or swayed by disguised instruments of repressive propaganda?
We savor in the variety of sensations in a culture of entertainment. Which is of why we spice up our news less we get numbed with boredom and mundanity. During the 17th century, the "spice trade" was most instrumental in effecting changes in social history. Imperial empires grew and led to the inter-mixing of cultures, knowledge and the mass-migrations people.
Societies emerges out of blood, through generations of evolution, relationships based on domination and continuity. The struggle for integrity and cohesion has forced us into violent battles and senseless destruction. The increasing specialization of labor and the isolation of individuals threaten us by holding the "promise of community" as hostage.
We look and reflect upon yet again the mirrors of self-consciousness. Counting on science and technology to help us on the road towards a linear progression.
To help us to understand we use symbolic language. Expressing and reassessing our understanding. Inside and outside. Outside and inside. Again yet again...
4th Asian Art Show
Installation and performance
Setagaya Art Museum Apr 5 -May 14 1995
Whenever we discuss present issues and current affairs, we often refer back to history. There has been much talk and speculation about the approaching end of the 20th century. But what is history? How do we frame it? Whose history are we talking about?
We are in the midst of History. Being products of a historical consciousness and living in an age of information, we obsessively follow the daily news. Domestic news of celebrations, tales of crimes, global ecological crisis, economic woes...Seemingly they are neutral stories of facts and figures. Do we need to keep our guard less we drown ourselves in a sea of meaningless data or swayed by disguised instruments of repressive propaganda?
We savor in the variety of sensations in a culture of entertainment. Which is of why we spice up our news less we get numbed with boredom and mundanity. During the 17th century, the "spice trade" was most instrumental in effecting changes in social history. Imperial empires grew and led to the inter-mixing of cultures, knowledge and the mass-migrations people.
Societies emerges out of blood, through generations of evolution, relationships based on domination and continuity. The struggle for integrity and cohesion has forced us into violent battles and senseless destruction. The increasing specialization of labor and the isolation of individuals threaten us by holding the "promise of community" as hostage.
We look and reflect upon yet again the mirrors of self-consciousness. Counting on science and technology to help us on the road towards a linear progression.
To help us to understand we use symbolic language. Expressing and reassessing our understanding. Inside and outside. Outside and inside. Again yet again...