Since the COVID-19 pandemic surged in 2020, the world as we knew it underwent total irreversible transformation brought on by a microscopic virus. Transmitting genetic material through the infection process, viruses are also capable of cross-species transmission, effectively challenges the definition of “species” in Linnaean taxonomy. This has led to a movement within the scientific community to rethink the virosphere—that is, the biological environment in which all viruses exist. With scientific proof showing that viruses have fully permeated all corners of our environment, is it possible to examine these biological entities in a cultural context? Has humanity’s attitude towards viruses begun to shift from pushing for their eradication to an acceptance of viruses as an inevitable part of life?
The works of Pei-Ying Lin, recipient of the 3rd Tung Chung Prize, cut across biology, society, culture, and art. At such critical juncture for the future of humankind, she has ventured to highlight the numerous overlapping adversarial or adaptive relationships that exist in the long-term coexistence of humans and viruses as a reflection upon the meaning of life in the universe. Inter-(Being) utilizes viruses as a medium, seen through spiritual, corporal, and behavioral lenses. In Studies of Interbeing – Trance 1:1, a shaman tries to summon the spirit of COVID-19 in a ritual that incorporates religious music and rhythmic movements, with the virus represented as a hand knitted structure that mimics real viral replication process. Studies of Interbeing – Pedigree X is a collaboration using BIONET Corporation’s genetic sequencing technology to explore the possibility that humans may be descendants of microbial families. Discourse of a Viral Boundary is a narrative on the pandemic built from people’s hidden desires and fears about the virus; and the ten basic principles for interspecific symbiosis laid out in Manifesto for the Holobiont in Its Infancy – Human Version outline a new model of coexistence with microbes. Lin utilizes unconventional contexts to examine the virus, and in doing so generates a new understanding of human-viral coexistence.
▍"Inter-(Being)"— Pei-Ying LIN Solo Exhibition ▍
Date｜ 2022/01/7-2022/02/28
Venue｜ C-LAB Art Space lll
* The exhibition will be closed from 1/29 (Sat.) to 2/3 (Thur.) and open on 2/4 (Fri.) and 2/5 (Sat.) due to the Lunar New Year Holiday, and will be closed on 2/6 (Sun.) and 2/7 (Mon.) for electrical and mechanical maintenance.
* The exhibition will be open on 2/28 (Mon.) due to the long weekend.
▍"Inter-(Being)"— Pei-Ying LIN Solo Exhibition Opening ▍
Date｜2022/1/7 (Fri.) 14:00-15:00
Venue｜C-LAB CREATORS' Space R102 Coworking Space, C-LAB Art Space lll
▍Manifesto for the Holobiont Kickoff ▍
Date｜2022/1/8 (Sat.) 14:00-16:00
Venue｜ C-LAB Art Space lll
Host l Pei-Ying LIN
Free Admission via Online Registration
TUNG CHUNG PRIZE
The Tung Chung Prize was established in 2015 by Celia Hong in honor of her father, Chien Tungchung, who enriched her life through literature, art and film. It is a one million NTD annual award to support an exceptional artist’s creative output for a year. From 2015 to 2017, the prize was given to outstanding writers of Mandarin literature to promote their work; and from 2018 to 2021, to contemporary artists whose international perspective resonates throughout and beyond greater Mandarin cultures. Presided over by Hong Foundation Vice Chairman Grace Cheung, the Tung Chung Prize embodies the spirit of “cultural venture capital” by supporting creators and artists at the very early concept stage of creative work.
From 2018 to 2021, the Tung Chung Prize was awarded to Hsu Chiawei, Cheng Hsienyu, and Lin Pei Ying respectively. Hsu uses the analogy of Internet-of-Things (IoT) to reframe the colonial barter economy where multiple cultures crossed to astounding interwoven outcomes; Cheng explores the existential anxiety brought on by our dependence on technology; whereas Lin’s work examines the virus ecosystem through the cultural structure of humans and species.
Major Sponsor : Hong Chien, Ching-Hui
Organizer： Hong Foundation / Project Seek
Co-organizer：C-LAB
Cooperation Partner：Bionet
Supporting Partner：Panasonic Taiwan
Production Support：Instrument Inventors、National Taiwan Science Education Center、National Culture and Arts Foundation、StimuleringsFonds