I attended the solo exhibition "Perpetual Present" by Daniel Arsham at the HOW Art Museum in Shanghai, China. Daniel's artistic focus delves into the concept of fictional archaeology, spanning sculpture, architecture, drawing, and film. His goal is to investigate the nonlinearity of time and history by blurring the boundaries between present and future, reality and fiction.
Within the exhibition, a 'real' excavation site is featured, inviting us to explore the artwork within. Daniel constructs an archaeological site from the future, where familiar objects like phones, radios, guitars, jackets, and basketballs are arranged in peculiar forms, placed in substantial excavations as if buried underground for millennia and only recently unearthed.
Engaging with Daniel's concept provides an enjoyable avenue for us to immerse themselves in the perpetual present. This involvement allows us to experience the embodiment of this unchanging state through the transformative interplay of ideas and forms.
The Infinity Mirror Room by Yayoi Kusama at the Phoenix Art Museum is captivating. Kusama's extensive utilization of polka dots, mirrors, and LED lights delves into the concept of infinite repetition, urging viewers to 'obliterate' their individuality and merge with eternity. It creates a sensation akin to being immersed in the enchanting swarm of dancing fireflies.
