WEEK 13: Exhibition Display and Artwork Dialogue
Overview
In the thirteen week’s research, I was pondering the issue of exhibit placement, which required consideration based on the nature and relationships of the exhibits. From the perspective of exhibit layout, would there be any viewing influence among the video works, including sound and audience stay? Similarly, there would also be a dialogue relationship between the exhibits. Therefore, in this week’s research, I mainly focused on thinking about how to combine reality and the needs of the exhibition narrative to handle the issue of artwork layout.
Display Method
- Zonal narrative structure
The exhibition is divided into: material → moving image → workshop archive. The space itself constitutes the narrative path, allowing the audience to move along memory → translation → production.
- Object to immersion transition
Transition from KV Duong’s object to Will Pham’s image space. Display changes from “viewing object” to “entering experience”, enhancing the emotional and time level.
- Workshop as extension
Workshop archive as the last part of the exhibition. The exhibition does not end with the display, but continues to generate content and meaning here.
The exhibition is structured spatially as a narrative progression from material to immersion and finally to participatory production.
Artwork Dialogue
- Material vs Narrative
KV Duong (object) vs Will Pham (video). Memory transforms from material traces to narrative expression, forming core tension.
- Private vs Collective Memory
Individual Memory (Memory Box / Cake) vs Collective Memory (An Viet / archive). Identity is constantly being restructured between individuals and communities.
- Translation across media
Object → Video → Workshop archive, diaspora is not a theme, but a cross-media translation process.
The artworks form a dialogue across material, narrative, and archive, constructing diaspora as a process of translation between personal and collective memory.
Exhibition Layout
Layout Map of Exhibition
Image by: Tianshun Zhao
Source: https://www.scot-art.co.uk/places/st-margarets-house/facilities/exhibitions-events-communityspace/
This exhibition plans to adopt a linear dynamic line layout and enters from the right entrance. First, enter the preface area and Memory Box to create an intimate memory atmosphere. Then transition along the wall to Family Portrait to strengthen the connection between material and identity. In the middle section, the double video works Legends and An Viet are set up, and the sofa is used to form an immersive viewing space. Finally arrive at the Workshop Archive area, and present the participation process through archives, recipes and records, so that the exhibition extends from viewing to generation and interaction. Birthday Cake to My Younger Self symbolises the celebration of group vitality and continuity at the end.