ZHANGYUTING
What Do We Remember When We Recall The Past
This is a re-creation based on the path of behavior in memory, rather than simply exploring and recreating memories.
In the first part of the work, the act of connecting memories is separated for observation; in the second part of the work, the fragmented memories that make up our daily life are interpreted and disassembled more broadly: how do our actions make up our relationships? And how are they woven into the memories called 'home'?
Inspiration
According to Kevin Kelly's book, memories and thoughts are created in a vague and accidental way, influenced by recent additions and reorganizations. The type of memory that is formed depends on the recent information that has been stored, including any associated emotions or other details that were added during the last memory reorganization.
When attempting to recall the concept of 'home', a multitude of related and fragmented circuits emerged, overlapping and intertwining as older and more recent memories followed the path of our behavior, forming a web of clear connections that slowly change over time.The interlacing blurs our environment and images, which change slowly over time. However, our daily behaviors that overlap repeatedly become clearer and form deep memories.
Process 1: We, Moving
What exactly do we remember when we recall the past?
The work does not give answers, but rather provides a direction for reflection, targeting not a specific moment, but a summary of a whole piece of related memories. When those recurring fragments in memory erase the specific time, people and environment, specific behavioral symbols are used to present a subconsciously guided construction of memories. This robot, made up of synthesized materials collected at home, assumed such a role - it repeatedly performed behavioral memories of three states: eating, walking, and arguing.
The work does not give answers, but rather provides a direction for reflection, targeting not a specific moment, but a summary of a whole piece of related memories. When those recurring fragments in memory erase the specific time, people and environment, specific behavioral symbols are used to present a subconsciously guided construction of memories. This robot, made up of synthesized materials collected at home, assumed such a role - it repeatedly performed behavioral memories of three states: eating, walking, and arguing.
2023; Installation; Mixed Media: Wooden box, plastic pipes, iron, aluminum, copper, ping pong balls, cotton thread, panels, infrared sensor, sponges, tinfoil, chopsticks, wires, shoes, motors
Process 2: We, Weaving
When I tried to further discuss how behavior affects the emotion of 'home' and constitutes memory, it was difficult to stand in a precise position to perceive the real because I was too close to it, and my perception was interfered with by the specific space of the dwelling, the identity of the family, the language, and so on, and so I aimed at our shadows. The shadow reflects the real world and presents content as symbolic outlines, sifting out superfluous information.
I have captured the shadow shapes of these moments with images. In the repetitive and changing daily family life, the shadows make our behaviors purer and our intentions clearer. The fluctuations of emotions and behaviors in our relationships create a complex and varied picture, sometimes chaotic and intertwined, sometimes coherent and dispersed, and sometimes arranged in a regular pattern.
The installation's embroidery machine serves as a vessel for shadows, symbolizing the familial bond as a thread that connects us while allowing for independence. The repetitive actions of the needle and thread in embroidery mirror our overlapping behaviors, weaving together the concept of 'home' and prompting the question once again: what exactly do we remember when we recall the past?