Fabri-xistentialism
2012
fabrics and video installation
W80 x L60 x H220 cm
“Existence precedes essence” is the central idea of existentialism, which is mentioned by Jean P. Sartre, 1905~1980. For instance, we have the idea and the imaginary (essence) of a pair of scissors before men actually create it (existence). However, we human work in a completely opposite way. Assume that there is no God, existence of human precedes their essence. Men do not process particular value or status in the very first place. We passively exist without certain meanings. We are just searching and establishing our own value and meaning of life through our sub-consciousness and daily experiences.
Exactly like human existing without essence, I have made five fabric puppets which do not process any objective characters or functions. I gave them to five of my friends who were going to stay with the puppets for at least a week respectively.
There was no original reason for the puppets to exist. Every single value and function of it is regarding to the people, happenings and cultures surrounding it. I record the whole process and investigate how it influences the value of the puppets. It is like a miniature of human. But the difference is that human can decide their own behaviors when realizing their existence.
十九世紀沙特(Jean P. Sartre, 1905~1980)指出無神論存在主義(Existentialism)的中心思想,「存在先於本質(Existence precedes essence)」。比如說,人需要剪刀,於是腦海中出現「剪刀」這個意象(本質),繼而促使其現實存在。而人的情況就剛剛相反:假設沒有上帝,人的存在則先於本質。人一開始就是沒有固有身份和價值。人原是沒有意義被動的存在著,只是隨著身邊的環境,經歷和潛在意識,去尋找和構成自身的價值和生存意義。
我造了五個布偶,五個無具象形態,沒有特定指向性的布偶,就如人一開始缺乏本質如此這般的存在。我將它們交給我的5位朋友,分別跟它們相處了一星期。
布偶的存在本是沒意義的,它的所有(僅有)意義或用途,都是由它身邊發生的事,文化和人物而產生,最後變成今天的如此這般。我紀錄了這段時間人與布偶之間發生的大小事情,跟據布偶的一星期的經歷和(主觀)性格去決定布偶最後成為怎樣的一個個體或角色,有如人的縮寫,但分別在人意識到自身的存在,並且自主地決定一切行為。
Exactly like human existing without essence, I have made five fabric puppets which do not process any objective characters or functions. I gave them to five of my friends who were going to stay with the puppets for at least a week respectively.
There was no original reason for the puppets to exist. Every single value and function of it is regarding to the people, happenings and cultures surrounding it. I record the whole process and investigate how it influences the value of the puppets. It is like a miniature of human. But the difference is that human can decide their own behaviors when realizing their existence.
十九世紀沙特(Jean P. Sartre, 1905~1980)指出無神論存在主義(Existentialism)的中心思想,「存在先於本質(Existence precedes essence)」。比如說,人需要剪刀,於是腦海中出現「剪刀」這個意象(本質),繼而促使其現實存在。而人的情況就剛剛相反:假設沒有上帝,人的存在則先於本質。人一開始就是沒有固有身份和價值。人原是沒有意義被動的存在著,只是隨著身邊的環境,經歷和潛在意識,去尋找和構成自身的價值和生存意義。
我造了五個布偶,五個無具象形態,沒有特定指向性的布偶,就如人一開始缺乏本質如此這般的存在。我將它們交給我的5位朋友,分別跟它們相處了一星期。
布偶的存在本是沒意義的,它的所有(僅有)意義或用途,都是由它身邊發生的事,文化和人物而產生,最後變成今天的如此這般。我紀錄了這段時間人與布偶之間發生的大小事情,跟據布偶的一星期的經歷和(主觀)性格去決定布偶最後成為怎樣的一個個體或角色,有如人的縮寫,但分別在人意識到自身的存在,並且自主地決定一切行為。