Refining the Exhibition Concept
This week, I refined Eclipsing Presence, an exhibition reimagining death as a transformation rather than an absence. Drawing from Eastern philosophy and Western existentialism, it explores how cultures visualize and ritualize mortality through color, sensory engagement, and material transformation.
Key Themes
1. The Chromatic Symbolism of Death
- Black (Western mourning, finality)
- White (East Asian mourning, transition)
- Yellow (Día de los Muertos, imperial decay)
- Red (Sacrifice and transformation)
- Blue (Eternity and spiritual guidance)
- Green (Renewal and immortality)
2. Time-Based Installations
- Melting wax sculptures symbolizing impermanence.
- Fading text installations reflecting transient memory.
- Interactive digital pieces responding to audience engagement.
3. Audience Engagement
- Memory Wall – Visitors inscribe messages that fade over time.
- Sound & Scent Installations – Evoking cultural mourning rituals.
- Live Ritual Performances – Collective reflections on mortality.
Reflections & Next Steps
This week reinforced that death is an ongoing cultural transformation rather than a singular loss. Moving forward, I will finalize the curatorial layout, refine the selection of artists and materials, and develop engagement strategies to ensure an immersive experience.
Conclusion
Through Eclipsing Presence, I aim to create a space where audiences question, reflect, and redefine their perception of death. By blending philosophy, art, and participation, this exhibition offers new perspectives on the colors of death.
- Bauer, P. (2024). Sisters! [Exhibition]. Fruitmarket Gallery, Edinburgh.
- Camus, A. (1942). The Myth of Sisyphus.
- Pastoureau, M. (2017). Yellow: The History of a Color.
- Sartre, J.-P. (1943). Being and Nothingness.
- Zhuangzi. (4th Century BCE). Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu).
