Event 2: MNEMOAWARI

For event 2, I attended MNEMOAWARI, by Joteva. Joteva is an inter-media artist and researcher working at the intersection of neurophysics and art through the use of new imaging tools and biofeedback technologies. MNEMOAWARI featured three cryo sculptures, which symbolizes virtual and material memory. The interactive multimedia installation deals with the power of awareness within the transference and formation of immaterial impressions. 

The introduction may sound abstract, which was my initial feeling when I entered the exhibition. However, after I talked with Joteva, who is very willing to explain to me her insights, I came to understand the symbolizing effect of the cryo sculptures. In all, the exhibition uses varying visualization effect to symbolize past, present and the future.

First, the present is represented by the present state of the three hanging “cryo-sculptures”. These cryo-sculptures were suspended balls with plants, flowers, and mushrooms respectively. These balls were frozen and slowly melting. As they melted, the interior of the ball would be slowly revealed. The three melting cryo-sculptures represented the present because they are the real state of the objects at the current time. Also, another interesting concept embodied is transformation. The melting sculptures are constantly changing, which is happening to everyone and everything in the real life.  I like the emphasize on changing very much. Just like the central discipline in physics highlighted, nothing is truly stationary. The present is always moving forward and changing, despite we do not recognize the change in a short time span.As we change, we may leave some trace behind, like the water from the melting sculptures. We may also make some impact, like the sound from water dipping down. However, the present is always leaving us, becoming something in the past. That is why the saying goes, “live in the present.” We can not grab onto the present, so we live in it.

Second, the past is represented by the three large projections on the walls. Each projection was a three hundred sixty degree rotating sphere. They represented the past because they depicted spheres that had melted in previous exhibitions. The projection is very detailed, and one can even look at them through a magnifying lens to see the every small detail on the sphere. These features trigger interesting thoughts about the past. When we look into the past, we can look at it in a more holistic view, as we had more knowledge about the full context back then. Instead of focusing on our own point of view when the event happens, we should consider different angles from which the event can be viewed. On the other hand, I do not think the past can be remembered to the every detail as the projection shows. However, the good memories tend to be enlarged. The past is mingled with the feeling that we felt at that moment. Therefore, the past is not necessarily materialized. We choose what we want to remember and what to enlarge.

Lastly, the future is a symbolized by a glass of water surrounded by bright beams. According to Joveta, the pattern was generated from the brainwaves of her sleeping roommate. When Joveta’s roommate slept, she placed a glass of frozen water besides her.  Then she took the brainwaves and converted them into a light spectrum. Joveta depict the future using the concept of dreaming. It is a surreal state that cannot judged as true or false. It is like a fantasy and it is pretty because it is uncertain. We do not know what will happen in the future, but that is exactly why future is enlightening. Future can be whatever we believed in. We can always believe in the beauty of the future to remain positive.

In conclusion, the display is very artistic and enlightening. It triggers lots of thought about the past, present and future. It is a very beautiful show, artistically and substantially.

 

Reference:

Psychology Glossary, "Echoic Memory Define".  https://www.alleydog.com/glossary/definition.php?term=Echoic%2520Memory Accessed May 13 2017