Shift

大河美術將舉辦聯展《Shift》，邀請到三位來自不同國家的藝術家，包含加拿大籍印尼華裔藝術家 Tessar Lo、日本藝術家小池一馬，以及臺灣藝術家廖以歆。展覽以哲學悖論「忒修斯之船（Ship of Theseus）」的概念，貫穿三位藝術家的創作，藉以探討身份、記憶與變遷的關係。「Shift」意指移動、轉變與重構，直接呼應「忒修斯之船」的核心──當一件物品的所有組成部分被逐一替換，每個元素都不再是原來的構件時，這件物品仍然是原來的它嗎？這一悖論挑戰人們對個體與集體身份轉化的認知，也進一步思考「不變」與「變化」之間的界限。展覽名稱《Shift》亦強調「轉變」所帶來的動態過程，試圖透過三位藝術家的精彩作品，開啟對當代社會變動的深層對話。

「Shift」這一詞彙帶有主動或被動的力量，暗示事物如何被推動至不同階段或狀態。在數位工具與設計軟體中，Shift 鍵是不可或缺的指令之一，與「重新排列」、「合成」及「變形」等操作密切相關，呼應藝術創作中記憶、文化與身份的流動與重構。2024 年，大都會藝術博物館（The Metropolitan Museum of Art）發生了一場由 MSCHF 主導的藝術介入行動——《Sink of Theseus》。藝術家透過逐步替換館內洗手台的零件，最終將這些被更換的原始部件鑄造成一件新作品，回應「忒修斯之船」的核心問題，也突顯「Shift（轉變）」與「Sink（沉沒）」之間的對話：前者關注演化與重構，後者則指向解體與消失，進一步強化了此哲學悖論的概念與展覽的思辨性，以及其之於當代的關聯。

展覽將三位藝術家的作品交錯展示，以活潑的編排方式強調轉變的動態過程，並以石頭組成流線型的線條，暗示洋流與遷徙的視覺意象。Tessar Lo 作為加拿大籍印尼華裔藝術家，其創作展現多元文化背景中的持續對話，更擅於拆解與重組文化符號。本次展出的作品，透過開放的態度與多元媒材，對與自身相關的元素進行解構與重構，探索存在、時間與物理，以及形而上之間的交互作用。作品呈現出適應、修補、崩解與重組等元素，反映了在生命過程中不斷調整和記錄的特質，以和諧且富有趣味的視覺畫面，觸及細膩且層次豐富的生命航線。

日本藝術家小池一馬本次展出數件雕塑與繪畫作品，其創作圍繞「虛構的古代文物」，透過神話與歷史記憶的交錯，探索時間與文化的構成。他的創作運用古代神祇、陶器、大型貓科動物、植物等視覺符號，形塑游離於時空之外的獨特懸浮感，並關注異質元素的和諧共存，在創作中質疑事物經過再加工後的意義轉變。

臺灣藝術家廖以歆的創作則以抽象的語彙詮釋生命經驗，回應社會秩序與混亂間的矛盾共存。她的作品深受哲學、心理學與文學的影響，並延伸至潛意識與夢境的探索。廖以歆擅長以直覺性的筆觸與畫布進行對話，並保留塗抹的痕跡，這些痕跡不僅強調時間與空間的流動感，更形塑了記憶與感知的符號。作品中的留白部分，則邀請觀者從自身經驗為出發點進行自由詮釋，從而與作品建立起深層的情感聯繫。

大河美術期望透過《Shift》，讓三位藝術家藉由各自獨特的創作語言，呈現人類在時間與空間中探索自我與世界的複雜性，並將視覺藝術作為思考和表達的橋樑，帶領觀者進入無限的想像空間。在全球化與文化交融加速的今日，展覽呈現身份與環境的流動，促使觀眾思考身份與變遷的動態本質，誠摯邀請各位一同來到現場對話漂流，體驗一場橫跨文化、歷史與當代語境的深刻旅程。

RIVER ART GALLERY is pleased to present the group exhibition “Shift,” featuring three artists from different cultural backgrounds: Chinese-Indonesian Canadian artist Tessar Lo, Japanese artist Kazuma Koike, and Taiwanese artist IChin Liao. This exhibition is conceptually framed around the philosophical paradox of the “Ship of Theseus,” weaving together the artists’ works to explore the relationships between identity, memory, and transformation. “Shift” signifies movement, change, and reconstruction, directly responding to the core question posed by the “Ship of Theseus”—when all components of an object are replaced one by one, with none of the original parts remaining, is it still the same object? This paradox challenges our perceptions of individual and collective identity changes, further questioning the boundaries between “constancy” and “change.” The exhibition title, “Shift,” also underscores the dynamic process of “change,” aiming to spark profound discussions on contemporary societal transformations through the compelling works of these three artists.

The term “Shift” carries both active and passive implications, suggesting how things are propelled into different stages or states. In digital tools and design software, the Shift key is an essential function associated with actions such as “reordering,” “composing,” and “transforming”—echoing the fluidity and reconstruction of memory, culture, and identity in artistic creation. In 2024, the Metropolitan Museum of Art hosted an artistic intervention led by MSCHF titled “Sink of Theseus.” The project involved gradually replacing components of a museum sink, with the removed original parts being cast into a new artwork. This intervention directly responded to the core question of the “Ship of Theseus” while highlighting the dialogue between “Shift” and “Sink”—the former focuses on evolution and reconstruction, while the latter signifies dissolution and disappearance. This further reinforces the concept of the philosophical paradox, the critical reflection of the exhibition, and its relevance to contemporary discourse.

The exhibition integrates the works of the three artists in an interwoven display, using dynamic curation to emphasize the fluid process of change, with the flowing stone arrangements suggesting visual imagery of currents and migration. Tessar Lo, as a Chinese-Indonesian Canadian artist, engages in continuous cultural dialogues through his work, with a particular strength in deconstructing and reassembling cultural symbols. His exhibited pieces embrace openness and diverse media, deconstructing and reconstructing elements related to his identity, exploring the interaction between existence, time, materiality, and metaphysics. His works embody adaptation, restoration, dissolution, and reconstruction—qualities that reflect the ongoing changes, adjustments, and documentation inherent in life’s journey. Through harmonious and interesting visuals, his art touches upon intricate and multi-layered life narratives.

Japanese artist Kazuma Koike presents a series of sculptures and paintings centered around “fictional ancient artifacts.” His work interweaves mythology and historical memory to explore the reconstruction of time and culture. By employing visual symbols such as ancient deities, potteries, large felines, and plants, he creates a distinct sense of suspension as if his works exist outside conventional notions of time and space. His work contemplates the harmonious coexistence of disparate elements and questions how the meaning of objects alters through reconfiguration.

Taiwanese artist IChin Liao interprets life experiences through abstract visual language, responding to the paradoxical coexistence of societal order and chaos. Deeply influenced by philosophy, psychology, and literature, her practice extends into the exploration of the subconscious and dreams. Liao engages in a dynamic interaction with the canvas through her intuitive brushwork, preserving the traces of her strokes. Through this process, she not only highlights the fluidity of temporal and spatial dimensions but also constructs symbolic representations of memory and perception. The blank spaces in her paintings invite viewers to interpret the works through their own personal experiences, fostering a deep emotional connection with the art.

Through “Shift,” RIVER ART GALLERY aims to present how these three artists, each with their unique artistic language, explore the complexities of selfhood and the world across time and space, positioning visual art as a bridge for reflection and expression that guides viewers into infinite imaginative realms. In an era of rapid globalization and cultural convergence, “Shift” highlights the fluidity of identity and environment, prompting viewers to reflect on the dynamic nature of identity and transformation. We sincerely invite you to come and drift in this immersive dialogue—an exploration that traverses cultures, history, and contemporary discourse.