HONG KONG.- MILL6 Foundation announces its Spring exhibition, Line of Times, featuring Brooklyn-based artist-duo Aziz + Cucher, Taiwan artist Yin-Ju Chen and Hong Kong artist Morgan Wong. Presenting a series of tapestries, sculpture, installation, and video works, the exhibition intends to interweave the macro- and micro-perspectives of viewing the concept of time. Reflecting the multi-dimensional nature of contemporary society, the artists’ representations spanning on the metaphysical and physical environment are centered. The exhibition will run from 11 March to 2 April at the MILL6 Pop-up Space at The Annex.
“We are excited to present Aziz + Cucher’s first exhibition in Hong Kong, alongside the engaging works of Yin-Ju Chen and Morgan Wong,” says Mizuki Takahashi, Senior Curator of MILL6 Foundation. “Line of Times explores the abstract concept of time via a diverse range of discursive themes. The multi-disciplinary artworks exhibited resonate with the fluidity of interpreting the subject, a universal yet subjective experience, with immeasurable impact on human existence, shared knowledge and evolutional civilization.”
Anthony Aziz and Sammy Cucher, also known as Aziz + Cucher, are regarded as pioneers of digitally based fine art photography, and have been working across the fields of sculpture, animation, textiles and video installation since the early 1990s. Participating in their first exhibition in Hong Kong, Line of Times, Aziz + Cucher will present a series of 4 large tapestries woven intricately on a digital loom, 3 of which are commissioned to form part of MILL6’s permanent collection. The artists take as their inspiration the composition and tradition of Renaissance masterpieces, subverting these into digital formulations comprised of detailed pixel patterns and evocative narrative gestures. These are then woven via modern technologies, seamlessly interweaving past, present and future.
Yin-Ju Chen is a multimedia artist whose works involve the use of video, drawing and photography. Extrastellar Evaluations II is a large-scale audio-visual installation inspired by the historical argument between geocentrism and heliocentrism. The artist considers the formal line as the essential element underlying astrology and planetary movement. Her artistic chart resembles the dynamism of celestial forces conditioning human actions within our galaxy, frequently forming circular paths that are symbolic of non-linear time, encouraging viewers to contemplate the uncertainty of human fate.
Hong Kong artist Morgan Wong will present two video works alongside sculptures and photographic pieces as part of Line of Times. Referencing a prominent ancient Chinese allegory, Filing Down a Steel Bar Until a Needle is Made is an absurd adaptation by the artist on the notion of one’s will and determination. The ongoing series and durational lifelong performance started since 2013, the steel bar of 173cm and weighing 63kg is the same height and weight as the artist, who pledges to grind the rod into a needle over the course of his lifetime. The metal powder of this daily ritual is collected by Wong and sealed in a needle-shaped borosilicate glass tube, capturing the continuous effort of the artist within the emblematic time capsule, namely Time Needle Series. Wong’s works represent time in varied medium, where he diligently observes the stream of each moment, interpreting the intangible via remnant in performance, sculpture and video. The Time Needle Series will form part of MILL6’s permanent collection.
An artist talk featuring Aziz + Cucher, Yin-Ju Chen and Morgan Wong, moderated by the curator Mizuki Takahashi will be held on 24 March 2017 at the exhibition venue.
“Line of Times is our Spring Program that weaves local and international artists together to generate multi-cultural dialogue and inter-disciplinary thought. Centered on the perception of time, the works explore this existential continuum from different levels and dimensions: personal, social and cosmic. The conceptual line is also symbolic of our collaborative effort to thread different generations and eras together, reflective of MILL6 Foundation's mission of preserving the essence of Hong Kong's culture and heritage, by contextualizing these within contemporary society. With these engaging and immersive artworks, we hope to foster new creative experiences and encourage access to the arts and culture around the notion on textile,” says Angelika Li, Director, MILL6 Foundation.
