The 8th Taiwan International Video Art Exhibition (TIVA) centers around the profound concept of care. Since the inception of the open call, diverse perspectives have been employed to prompt contemplation on beings beyond humanity. This contemplation unfolds across three dimensions: temporal disparities, unscalability of spatial dimensions, and the material sensory experiences of cohabitation. The title, Living Togetherness, was formulated after the jury process. Featured artworks thoughtfully respond to this theme by delving into the rich tapestry of human and non-human existence, exploring diverse situations and locations, all while examining the intricate web of care binding these beings together in the scale of deep time.
This artistic showcase delves into the multifaceted meaning of care, exploring the emergence of life together and examining the intertwined state of affections, materials, and cultures inseparable from the birth of life and its surroundings. Different species and matters each possess entirely distinct perceptions of time. However, in the moment of shared birth at a specific point in time, an inevitable and intimate entanglement is destined to unfold among them. How do we, as human beings, acknowledge these stories of natureculture from an anti-anthropocentric perspective in the scale of deep time?
Another layer of interconnected care delves into the essence of truly being alive, with artworks intricately unraveling the distinctions between survival and living. In the era of technological advancement, the definition of life becomes increasingly complex. “Being alive” manifests in various states across different forms of life. The boundaries between different life forms become subjects of inquiry, urging viewers to nurture curiosity and respect for the inherent unknowability of others. Some works anthropologically document the situatedness of ethnic minorities, women, queer individuals, and non-humans, providing them with a platform to voice their experiences. Questioning the current knowledge system and listening to the requests of others become actions of care.
Living Togetherness also reflects on the dynamics of coexistence in our daily lives. The exploration centers around diverse interactions on the plane of coexistence, considering how, amidst disparities in temporal perceptions, a more varied interactivity can be fostered after respecting and preserving the spaces needed by one another. Story-telling and archives are conveyed through myriad material sensory experiences of mutual existence. Some works investigate the preservation and revival of cultural memory through moving images, emphasizing the significance of caring for and passing down these shared narratives. Many featured artworks explore mundane activities such as dietary habits, household chores, and companionship. Sensory experiences and materials intertwine; art, in this context, unfolds the potential for diverse emotional affections, encouraging contemplation of the potential for togetherness within these everyday routines.
In the post-COVID time, the record of the hottest summer in human history seems insufficient to declare the official epoch of the Anthropocene, as if the planetary crisis is not felt and embodied enough. Living Togetherness does not advocate for a utopian future; rather, it constitutes a confluence of diverse bodies and lives existing within distinct contexts in current times. Through various modes of perception – seeing, listening, and smelling – the exhibition aspires to attune visitors to a yet undiscovered language, spoken in a realm where all manner of senses, mediums, materials, and bodies coexist harmoniously. In this space, a collective sense of care transcends boundaries, urging us to contemplate and embrace the interconnectedness of all living beings.
