Gravity, invisible and intangible, yet always present in our life, anchoring humanity to the Earth. Following the logic of the 2023 Chengdu Biennale’s theme “Time Gravity,” we extend this concept to another invisible yet undeniable presence - “gravity” of the human heart, and designed the section “Where the Heart Goes”. Human thought, like gravity itself, possesses enormous strength. All individual actions are nothing but manifestations of their thoughts, and all of human history, society, and culture are nothing but the manifestation, realization, and embodiment of collective human thought. Unlike gravity that binds us to the Earth, the pursuit of our dreams and aspirations allows our minds and imaginations to soar, freeing us from the Earth’s constraints to explore the vast and distant universe.
The pursuit of pleasure and avoidance of pain, seeking safety and avoiding danger are always where the heart goes. The human body experiences pleasure and pain, receives external stimuli in multidimensional ways through the sight, sound, scent, taste, touch, and thought with our eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, and mind, permeating our body and soul. Artworks often concentrate and express certain human emotions, thoughts and aesthetics; their impact on us is more intense. In comparison, our daily lives seem mundane and easily overlooked. Of course, the selection of exhibits in this section is not limited to a simple correspondence with “eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, and mind.” The works also delve into and extend to the relationship between individuals and their living spaces, architecture, cities, and nature. They explore the act of letting go of arrogance, discrimination, and greed to treat others and other species with equality and peace. This includes the transformation and sublimation from sensory stimuli such as sight and hearing to deeper inner changes, as well as creative behavior ranging from playful activities to meditative practices.
Art is not just for admiration or worship; it is intimately connected to our bodies, lives, and daily routines. Art has universality, and this universality exists in our everyday lives. A key characteristic of contemporary art is that anything is possible. An action, a piece of text, a chart - anything can become art. Every medium and material bears the potential to become an artwork, and everyone has the potential to become an artist (Joseph Beuys proclaimed that “everyone is an artist”).
All art is essentially personal experience, and the ability to experience through different channels such as eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, and mind is something we all possess. Through self-examination of our eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body and mind during the exhibition process, we hope that viewers will pay more attention to and take their physical and mental well-being seriously. After all, life is nothing but a journey through time and space, and a cultivation of the heart. May we all cultivate a healthy body, an innocent heart and a fulfilling life.