l i q u i d m e m o r y

“Nothing is more abstract than reality, only when you know what does not need to be there is that you can
finally see it.”

— Giorgio Morandi

“liquid memory”, features works by artists Koji Yamaguchi, Yuri Yuan, Ted Gahl, and Travis MacDonald. Each artist explores the transient nature of reality through distinct visual languages that navigate the ambiguity of everyday scenes, capture the fluidity and ephemeral memory of existence, and offer a glimpse into the interplay between conscious and unconscious realms.

“When I take off my glasses, I feel like I can see the essence behind them. By blurring it, it becomes vague, and I cut out the color placement rather than the details. I wanted to capture the atmosphere of the place in my work.”

— Koji Yamaguchi

Yuri Yuan, *Too Slow to Catch Too Fast to Keep,* 2023, oil on linen, 101.6 x 91.4 cm

Drawing inspiration from artistic legacies such as genre painting and Morotai painting, these artists elevated mundane occurrences and visions to clever compositions that explore the human condition through art. Marked by memories that not only serve as a record of personal experience but also influence the way the artists understand and perceive the world.

“Aloneness is a common theme in my work. Rather than dwelling in the sad emotion of ‘loneliness,’ I think of the protagonist in my work as someone who constantly reflects on their experience and their connection in this world.”

— Yuri Yuan

Curated into interconnected sections, “liquid memory” provides a multifaceted portal for contemplating domestic life and unseen truths. By examining the layers shaping our perception, the exhibition invites thoughtful consideration of the underlying uncertainties of reality. Through a dialogue of each artist’s works, the exhibition encourages viewers to unveil a realm where the ordinary is veiled in mystery and the familiar is rendered extraordinary.

“I’m making paintings about the body, the natural world, and the human condition. I see in my work the ideas I have consistently been interested in painting people, objects, and environments. My works often employ a formal or abstract composition or framework, injected with a figurative-based, open interpretation narrative.”

— Ted Gahl

Travis MacDonald, *Tyre Dragon,* 2023, oil on linen 127 x 183 cm

Our space draws inspiration from the visionary designs of renowned Catalonian architect Ricardo Bofill. Through his transformative structure, the exhibition transports visitors into realms of alternate realities and hidden dimensions. A melancholic yet beautiful yearning permeates the space, as the shapes and geometries evoke the architect's journey to distant landscapes.

VILLEPIN invites you to experience this summer presentation exploring how fluid recollections both reveal and obscure reality through the lens of Yamaguchi, Yuan, Gahl, and MacDonald's evocative works.

Exhibition Opening: 20 June 2024 - 1 September 2024
Space: 53 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong

Sunday - Wednesday | 11AM - 7PM (By appointment only)
Thursday - Sunday | 11AM - 7PM (Open to public)
Monday | Closed

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Installation