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Thu, Mar 28, 2024

sensory_Yoga 

07.03 - 07.06.2020

National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts

Curated by Lin Hsiao-Yu

 

 

 

 

Smelling-Relax-Scratch-and-Sniff-Painting-04-

Lavender-Carpet-by-Peter-de-Cupere-2020-01

Lavender-Carpet-by-Peter-de-Cupere-2020-02

 

 

In the Age of Technology, as information becomes more transparent due to data analysis, the understanding that we have for the world also becomes more updated, in-depth, and increasingly more comprehensive. Today’s technology is capable of simulating the world and its events in a very realistic manner, creating scenarios that blur the line between reality and fiction. Beyond learning about the world through using our senses of sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch, it has also become quite imperative to be able to keep a clear consciousness and awareness. The abilities to remain internally alert, to sharpen our primordial sensory functions, and to rediscover strength that could keep one’s body and mind calm and stable have become compulsory for each person living in today’s time.

We use our eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, and mind to explore and experience the world around us on a daily basis. However, how should we go about experiencing each our senses and our consciousness in a pure way? We think art appreciation is undoubtedly an exceptional path for attaining such experience. On view in the exhibition, Sensory Yoga, presented this year at the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts are artworks related to perceptual experiences, sensory exploration, and consciousness and awareness. We invite our audience to interact with the artists and their creations and to embark on a journey revisiting their five senses and perhaps their sixth or seventh senses. The term, yoga, holds multiple meanings, including the profound philosophy of “unity by connecting the body, mind, and soul” or Tat Tvam Asi, a Sanskrit phrase which can be loosely translated as “Thou art that.” Originated in India, yoga has become a popular practice for self-growth enjoyed by many today. Through breathing, meditation, and poses, yoga practitioners are able to form connection between their minds and bodies and the cosmic energy. Therefore, with the title, Sensory Yoga, the objective of the exhibition is to use art to guide the audience in experiencing feelings similar to those from practicing yoga and for them to engage in inner-reflections through observing their perceptions and awareness, leading to the awakening of sensory abilities that lie within. When sensory abilities are augmented and sharpened, we believe that each of us will be able to slowly gain control over the ups and downs that we feel emotionally and mentally in this era of rapid changes and overwhelming anxieties. We could then attain a state of inner tranquility with our hearts calm and peaceful.

In addition to senses of sight, hearing, scent, taste, and touch, the subconscious will also be explored in the artworks on view. Additionally, some of the artworks also showcase performative and interactive elements, with performances presented or members of the audience invited to take part in the artworks. Through each performance or participatory activity, the audience will be provided with opportunities to engage in sensory experiences and to understand and reflect on the social and cultural issues that the artists seek to examine. As the world collectively brace for the coronavirus crisis, we hope through this exhibition to offer to our audience a space to train and strengthen their senses and awareness and for the museum to fulfill our purpose of purifying people’s minds and spirits through art.

Curator :

Lin Hsiao-Yu

Artists :

Slow Chen, Cheng Jen Pei, Peter de Cupere, River Lin, lololol, Ghost Mountain Ghost Shovel, Shinseungback Kimyonghun, Maki Udea

More info: National Museum of Fine Arts