“Reunion”-An interdisciplinary art experiment exploring rupture and reconstitution.
● The exhibition will showcase selected works by over 20 internationally renowned artists from diverse backgrounds.
● The exhibition will be held from March 24 to March 30, 2025, at AYE PROJECT SPACE (Room 204, Phase 1, Chai Wan Industrial City, 60 Wing Tai Road, Chai Wan, Hong Kong), with a preview taking place on the afternoon of March 24.
● Advisors: Jian Liu & Jeffrey Liu

The Academic Context of “Reunion”

The concept of “reunion” transcends mere nostalgia, emerging instead as a forward-looking projection that recognizes the complexities of our contemporary milieu. As the narrative of globalization increasingly fractures, over twenty artists utilize their creative practices to assert that the very rupture we experience serves as a catalyst for reunion. The etymology of “reunion” derives from the Latin roots “re-” and “unio,” evoking a semantic tension that underscores the potential for re-creation following periods of separation.

In its essence, reunion embodies inherent contradictions: it denotes an encounter following separation while simultaneously signifying the reintegration of societal structures, collective memories, identities, and spatial dynamics. Within the framework of contemporary art, reunion transcends mere physical convergence; it emerges as an urgent response to the pervasive experience of disconnection prompted by the dual realities of globalization and digitization.

This exhibition draws upon critical concepts such as “liminality” from anthropology, “signifier drift” in linguistics, and the processes of “disembedding” and “re-embedding” within political economy. By focusing on “disembedding” and “re-embedding,” we position these theoretical frameworks as pivotal to understanding the practices of more than twenty internationally renowned artists. Their works collectively explore how the notion of reunion has evolved into a vital survival strategy for individuals and communities navigating the geopolitical conflicts and ecological crises characterizing the post-epidemic era.

Furthermore, this exploration compels us to consider how artistic action can facilitate the reconstruction of disrupted connections. In an age where fragmentation is prevalent, the works presented in this exhibition not only invite viewers to reflect on their own experiences of separation but also to engage with the potential for reunion as a form of resistance and resilience. Thus, through artistic practices, we are challenged to envision pathways for reintegration, ultimately fostering a deeper understanding of our collective identities in an increasingly disjointed world.

Artists Highlights

● Miriam Cahn (b. 1949, Switzerland) integrates painting, drawing, performance, and installation in an expansive artistic practice that traverses themes of embodiment and presence.
● Martha Jungwirth (b. 1940, Austria), a pioneer of abstraction whose practice is deeply grounded in bodily expression and sensory observation. Following her major solo exhibitions at the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao in 2024 and the Palazzo Cini Gallery in Venice, her solo exhibition at the Long Museum in Shanghai will continue until April 2025.
● Daniel Steegmann Mangrané (b. 1977, Spain) presents delicate, nature-inspired sculptures that challenge spatial perception, engaging in a dynamic interplay between nature, art, and architecture. His works have been exhibited at prestigious institutions including Bourse de Commerce, Paris; MACBA, Barcelona; and Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma, Helsinki.
● Matthias Weischer (b. 1973, Germany) continues his exploration of interior and landscape painting, manipulating spatial perception to create psychologically charged environments.
● Guan Xiao (b. 1983, China) is a visionary artist whose playful yet incisive practice spans sculpture, video, and installation, creating a visual language that transcends historical and cultural boundaries. Following her acclaimed solo exhibitions at Bonner Kunstverein, Bonn (2019), Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis (2019), and Jeu de Paume, Paris (2016), Guan Xiao will present a solo exhibition at Kunsthalle Wien, Vienna, in 2025.