TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Taiwanese sound artist Yao Chung-han's (姚仲涵) latest solo exhibition, "Intro for the Chaos," opens at the JUT Art Museum on March 8, featuring five new works.
Centered around the core concepts of "chaos" and "prelude," the exhibition explores humanity's navigation between disorder and structure. Through innovative installations, Yao transforms the museum space into an immersive world of installations, sound, light, and video.
In his new piece, "Stronger, Weaker and Pump," Yao employs air pipes and compressors for the first time, metaphorically depicting life's fluctuating experiences. The swaying springs embody chaos, while the hidden electronic mechanisms establish a framework of regulated order.
The multi-channel video installation "Feel the Noise" marks the artist's inaugural foray into drumming as a source of creative inspiration, capturing external environmental sounds and transforming them into sonic compositions.
In an interview with Taiwan News, Yao shared how learning to drum has allowed him to integrate physical rhythm into his artistic practice. Through his sound and light installations, he delves into the interplay between reality and the future.
Yao explained the intimate connection between drumming and the body provides him with a sense of rhythm. This experience not only serves as a stress reliever but also fuels his artistic creativity.
He likens drumming to "a process of constructing order," a concept he integrates into the exhibition. Yao's art transcends visual and auditory experiences, extending into the realm of physical sensation, allowing viewers to perceive the flow of rhythm and emotion within the exhibition.
For this exhibition, Yao ventures into science fiction with his short animation, "Electronic Monsters Universe – Future," set 500 years in the future. The narrative depicts a world in 2525 where the dying sun plunges Earth into a "light deficiency" crisis.
While fictional, the story is grounded in existing technology and scientific knowledge, creating a tangible connection to reality. Yao researched scientific topics like the nitrogen cycle and AI technology, weaving these elements into the narrative.
Yao noted the film is not merely a futuristic fantasy but a reflection on contemporary social issues, such as misinformation and protests.
He said that scriptwriting has become a new avenue for expressing social turmoil and fear. The proliferation of self-media allows for a more direct view of war and international relations, while the panic and conspiracy theories surrounding the 2020 pandemic prompted him to consider how art could address these concerns.
Becoming a father has significantly shifted Yao's creative perspective. He said that his earlier works were more detached and rational, while his recent pieces incorporate greater emotional depth and a sense of protection.
Yao also mentioned his collaboration with independent theater producer Wu Ji-juan (吳季娟). He praised Wu’s deep exploration of creative intentions, revealing new possibilities.
Performances will take place on April 11, May 17, and June 14.
