Empty Gallery Hong Kong exhibition channels René Daumal's poetry to explore decay, power, and regeneration
From March 24 to May 25, Empty Gallery in Hong Kong hosts 'Le Contre-Ciel,' curated by Olivia Shao, drawing inspiration from René Daumal's 1936 poetry anthology. This exhibition showcases the works of 25 global artists alongside Chinese Neolithic artifacts, delving into themes of negation, regeneration, and the dissolution of the ego. Among the highlighted pieces are Liz Deschenes's '1928 – 1898' (2019), Mel Chin's 'Polycentric Multi-Polar Paradigm' (2005), Francis Alÿs's video 'Cuentos patrióticos' (1997), Antek Walczak's 'Culture LV11' (2017), Yu Ji's 'Flesh in Stone – Ghost #2' (2018), and Trisha Donnelly's audio piece 'I Am Taking Your Morning' (2003). The exhibition invites visitors to reflect on elemental forces and esoteric wisdom.
Key facts
- Exhibition 'Le Contre-Ciel' ran from March 24 to May 25 at Empty Gallery in Hong Kong
- Curated by Olivia Shao with 25 international artists and Chinese antiques
- Inspired by René Daumal's 1936 poetry collection 'Le Contre-Ciel'
- Includes Liz Deschenes's celestial photogram '1928 – 1898' (2019)
- Features Mel Chin's abstract geopolitical work 'Polycentric Multi-Polar Paradigm' (2005)
- Francis Alÿs's video documents 1968 Mexico City protest against President Gustavo Díaz Ordaz
- Kazuo Ohno and Chiaki Nagano's butoh video 'Mr. O's Book of the Dead' (1973) included
- Exhibition explores themes of decay, regeneration, power, and esoteric knowledge
Entities
Artists
- René Daumal
- Olivia Shao
- Liz Deschenes
- Mel Chin
- Francis Alÿs
- Gustavo Díaz Ordaz
- Antek Walczak
- Yu Ji
- Trisha Donnelly
- Chiaki Nagano
- Kazuo Ohno
- Bruce Conner
- Tom Thayer
- Wucius Wong
- Tang Kwok-hin
Institutions
- Empty Gallery
- ArtReview
Locations
- Hong Kong
- Mexico City
- Saudi Arabia
- China
- United States