Those Mountainous Places - Chen Yu CHO Solo Exhibition 「那些山的所在」卓振宇個展
Jun 1 - Jul 6, 2024
“Those Mountainous Places”
Text by Chen Yu CHO
In 2019, confronted by the sudden loss of a loved one, I found myself trapped in a deep, inescapable sorrow. Yet, I chose to transform this grief into a profound reflection on the meaning and value of life. It was then that I created the character “Rice Grain People” and began a series of exploratory journeys—narratives visualized through paintings inspired by traditional aesthetics, yet projected into a futuristic timeline, to explore contemporary issues and construct a renewed visual language.
At first, I believed that the “Rice Grain People” were a personal sublimation of grief—a spiritual tether born from emotional extremity. But in truth, they had always existed on Earth. Ever since the Rice Bang, a cosmic explosion of rice grains, they have spread across the universe, settling on various planets. These beings are exceptionally sensitive to the emotional frequencies of human longing. They can detect the special signals generated by yearning, and from them, select individuals in need of redemption. Yet, not everyone chosen is aware of their presence.
From 2020 to 2023, the world gradually descended into disorder. Humanity oscillated between fear, urgency, contemplation, and problem-solving, all while facing global-scale crises. As this state of chaos became part of our daily lives, many grew numb to its effects, indulging in an illusion of comfort. We must never underestimate human folly—whether on an individual or collective scale, it can swiftly lead to self-destruction. One way to prevent catastrophe is to learn humility.
This is why I titled the series Those Mountainous Places. In such a disquieting time, we are prone to overlook the presence and value of nature. The natural world is the foundation of life, and among its many elements, mountains stand as symbols of strength, stability, and the humble continuity of life. In the face of mountains, I deeply feel the insignificance of the human self. Guided by their silent presence, I’ve come to learn reverence and respect, to realize that the world does not revolve around any one person, and to appreciate everything that surrounds us.
The “Rice Grain People” are characters without limits of time or space. They move freely across dimensions and parallel universes. Though they appear in various temporal settings, mountains remain constant—eternal, silent witnesses to the passage of time. They carry the weight of history. In contrast, the Rice Grain People are fleeting, their traces as ephemeral as marks left in desert sand, swept away by the wind. Through this contrast, one may come to a deeper awareness of human smallness.
Even in these tumultuous, disordered times—when people may feel lost, unsure of where to go next, or afraid to move forward—those mountainous places offer a space of quiet, where we can once again find inner peace and balance. Mountains are not only the spine of the Earth, but sanctuaries for the soul. Their enduring presence reminds us that living in harmony is the true path for humanity.
Those Mountainous Places - Chen Yu CHO Solo Exhibition
｜Exhibition Period｜June 1 (Sat) – July 6 (Sat), 2024
｜Artist Talk｜June 15 (Sat), 14:00–16:00
｜Speakers｜Hsieh Chi-Chang, Hua Chien-Chiang
｜Venue｜GSA Gallery
｜Address｜3F-1, No. 167, Sec. 1, Xiangshang S. Rd., Nantun Dist., Taichung City, Taiwan
「那些山的所在」
文：卓振宇
在2019年，面對親人的離世，這突如其來的悲傷使我一度陷入泥沼無法自拔。然而，我決定將這份悲傷轉化為對生命的意義和價值的深刻反思，並開始對世界進行探索和追求的深入分析，創造了「米粒人」這個角色以及一系列探險旅程，透過古畫風格的系列作品，將時間軸拉向未來，探索當代議題並建構再敘事的視覺語言。
最初，我以為「米粒人」是自身情緒極致的昇華成為心靈的羈絆。然而，「米粒人」這樣的族群其實早已存在於地球上。自從Rice Bang米粒大爆炸後，米粒人便在宇宙中各自前往不同的星球。他們對人類思念情感極為敏感，能感受到思念產生的特殊電波，並從中挑選需要救贖的人，雖然不是所有被挑選的人都能意識到米粒人的存在。
到了2020年至2023年，世界逐漸陷入失序。人們在畏懼、急切、思考和解決之間拉鋸，面對著全球性的混亂問題。儘管世界如此，一旦這樣的狀態成為你我的日常，我們也會對於這樣的紛擾逐漸麻痺，沈浸於虛幻的舒適中。所以絕不能低估人類的愚蠢，無論是個人主義，或者是集體層次，一不留神就會作出自我毀滅的舉動。因此，要阻止災難發生，其中之一就是學會謙卑。
我以「那些山的所在」為題，在氣氛詭譎的當下，我們的確容易忽略了大自然的存在與價值。自然界是生存的根基，其中，山脈則是其中一個象徵力量、靜穩和謙卑生命延續的元素。在山的面前，我深刻體會到人類自身的渺小，在山的引領下，也學會了尊重和敬畏，明白到世界不是圍繞著個人轉動，更懂得去珍惜身處其中的一切。
「米粒人」是一個沒有時空限制的角色，能跨越維度在平行時空裡恣意穿梭。儘管他們經常出現在不同時間維度下的環境，然而，山脈作為一個無聲的存在，它們存在於永恆中，見證著時光的流逝，承載著歷史的記憶，與之對比的「米粒人」則是一種短暫的存在，他們在時空中匆匆而過，留下的痕跡微不足道，如同沙漠中被風吹拂的痕跡一般。透過這樣的對比，人們或許能夠更深刻地體會到自己的渺小。
儘管身處嚴峻的失序時代，人們可能感到迷茫，不確定前方目的地在何方，甚至沒有勇氣往下步邁進，但在「那些山的所在」，將會是我們能夠重新找回內心寧靜與平衡的靜謐之地。山脈不僅是地球的脊梁，更是人們心靈的避風港，它們的存在提醒著我們，和諧共處才是人類最終的歸宿。
「那些山的所在」卓振宇個展
｜展 期｜2024.6/1 (六) ～ 7/6 (六)
｜座談會｜6/15 (六)14:00～16:00
｜與談人｜謝其昌、華建強
｜地 點｜國璽藝術
｜地 址｜臺中市南屯區向上南路一段167號3樓之１
Text by Chen Yu CHO
In 2019, confronted by the sudden loss of a loved one, I found myself trapped in a deep, inescapable sorrow. Yet, I chose to transform this grief into a profound reflection on the meaning and value of life. It was then that I created the character “Rice Grain People” and began a series of exploratory journeys—narratives visualized through paintings inspired by traditional aesthetics, yet projected into a futuristic timeline, to explore contemporary issues and construct a renewed visual language.
At first, I believed that the “Rice Grain People” were a personal sublimation of grief—a spiritual tether born from emotional extremity. But in truth, they had always existed on Earth. Ever since the Rice Bang, a cosmic explosion of rice grains, they have spread across the universe, settling on various planets. These beings are exceptionally sensitive to the emotional frequencies of human longing. They can detect the special signals generated by yearning, and from them, select individuals in need of redemption. Yet, not everyone chosen is aware of their presence.
From 2020 to 2023, the world gradually descended into disorder. Humanity oscillated between fear, urgency, contemplation, and problem-solving, all while facing global-scale crises. As this state of chaos became part of our daily lives, many grew numb to its effects, indulging in an illusion of comfort. We must never underestimate human folly—whether on an individual or collective scale, it can swiftly lead to self-destruction. One way to prevent catastrophe is to learn humility.
This is why I titled the series Those Mountainous Places. In such a disquieting time, we are prone to overlook the presence and value of nature. The natural world is the foundation of life, and among its many elements, mountains stand as symbols of strength, stability, and the humble continuity of life. In the face of mountains, I deeply feel the insignificance of the human self. Guided by their silent presence, I’ve come to learn reverence and respect, to realize that the world does not revolve around any one person, and to appreciate everything that surrounds us.
The “Rice Grain People” are characters without limits of time or space. They move freely across dimensions and parallel universes. Though they appear in various temporal settings, mountains remain constant—eternal, silent witnesses to the passage of time. They carry the weight of history. In contrast, the Rice Grain People are fleeting, their traces as ephemeral as marks left in desert sand, swept away by the wind. Through this contrast, one may come to a deeper awareness of human smallness.
Even in these tumultuous, disordered times—when people may feel lost, unsure of where to go next, or afraid to move forward—those mountainous places offer a space of quiet, where we can once again find inner peace and balance. Mountains are not only the spine of the Earth, but sanctuaries for the soul. Their enduring presence reminds us that living in harmony is the true path for humanity.
Those Mountainous Places - Chen Yu CHO Solo Exhibition
｜Exhibition Period｜June 1 (Sat) – July 6 (Sat), 2024
｜Artist Talk｜June 15 (Sat), 14:00–16:00
｜Speakers｜Hsieh Chi-Chang, Hua Chien-Chiang
｜Venue｜GSA Gallery
｜Address｜3F-1, No. 167, Sec. 1, Xiangshang S. Rd., Nantun Dist., Taichung City, Taiwan
「那些山的所在」
文：卓振宇
在2019年，面對親人的離世，這突如其來的悲傷使我一度陷入泥沼無法自拔。然而，我決定將這份悲傷轉化為對生命的意義和價值的深刻反思，並開始對世界進行探索和追求的深入分析，創造了「米粒人」這個角色以及一系列探險旅程，透過古畫風格的系列作品，將時間軸拉向未來，探索當代議題並建構再敘事的視覺語言。
最初，我以為「米粒人」是自身情緒極致的昇華成為心靈的羈絆。然而，「米粒人」這樣的族群其實早已存在於地球上。自從Rice Bang米粒大爆炸後，米粒人便在宇宙中各自前往不同的星球。他們對人類思念情感極為敏感，能感受到思念產生的特殊電波，並從中挑選需要救贖的人，雖然不是所有被挑選的人都能意識到米粒人的存在。
到了2020年至2023年，世界逐漸陷入失序。人們在畏懼、急切、思考和解決之間拉鋸，面對著全球性的混亂問題。儘管世界如此，一旦這樣的狀態成為你我的日常，我們也會對於這樣的紛擾逐漸麻痺，沈浸於虛幻的舒適中。所以絕不能低估人類的愚蠢，無論是個人主義，或者是集體層次，一不留神就會作出自我毀滅的舉動。因此，要阻止災難發生，其中之一就是學會謙卑。
我以「那些山的所在」為題，在氣氛詭譎的當下，我們的確容易忽略了大自然的存在與價值。自然界是生存的根基，其中，山脈則是其中一個象徵力量、靜穩和謙卑生命延續的元素。在山的面前，我深刻體會到人類自身的渺小，在山的引領下，也學會了尊重和敬畏，明白到世界不是圍繞著個人轉動，更懂得去珍惜身處其中的一切。
「米粒人」是一個沒有時空限制的角色，能跨越維度在平行時空裡恣意穿梭。儘管他們經常出現在不同時間維度下的環境，然而，山脈作為一個無聲的存在，它們存在於永恆中，見證著時光的流逝，承載著歷史的記憶，與之對比的「米粒人」則是一種短暫的存在，他們在時空中匆匆而過，留下的痕跡微不足道，如同沙漠中被風吹拂的痕跡一般。透過這樣的對比，人們或許能夠更深刻地體會到自己的渺小。
儘管身處嚴峻的失序時代，人們可能感到迷茫，不確定前方目的地在何方，甚至沒有勇氣往下步邁進，但在「那些山的所在」，將會是我們能夠重新找回內心寧靜與平衡的靜謐之地。山脈不僅是地球的脊梁，更是人們心靈的避風港，它們的存在提醒著我們，和諧共處才是人類最終的歸宿。
「那些山的所在」卓振宇個展
｜展 期｜2024.6/1 (六) ～ 7/6 (六)
｜座談會｜6/15 (六)14:00～16:00
｜與談人｜謝其昌、華建強
｜地 點｜國璽藝術
｜地 址｜臺中市南屯區向上南路一段167號3樓之１
Chen Yu CHO 卓振宇