前言
我很少寫英文，但是在參觀這個展覽的時候，我用以記錄的語言是英文，所以這篇感想文會用英文來寫。希望各位體諒。
不過在正式開始前，我希望再說幾句話。亡魂是個抱着Introduction to Topology的保安數學系學生，對於數學方面有異常的執著，所以參觀這個展覽時說實話有那麼一點點失落。本文標題在問號之後再打下一個問號，其實就是嘗試疑問這個展覽的標題是否真的能夠表達展覽所想展露的東西。這展覽標明了是藝術融合符號學和數學，但可惜的是，亡魂不是太能看到展覽中包含的數學，或是鄙鬼才疏學淺，未能體會到當中的數學。最能拉上關係的，應該也只剩下利用混沌論的定義來拓展作品這部分與數學沾邊吧。於是在參觀展覽途中，我嘗試逼迫自己以數學的方式來感受作品，得出的結果我也很難解釋明白。那就直接進入紀錄的部分吧。
First Encounter: The Introduction
When I step out of the elevator, what was shown to me is a surface that shows the introduction of the exhibition. When I looked really carefully, I noticed the artist used Mathematic notations. That is the only thing that was obvious to me relating to Maths. (However, the formula there for me is a bit triggering to see.)
First Work: Sounds of all colours
Work265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkmCbvV4Yj
In my view, a large visual image was projected on the wall. Consisting of 23x5=115 blocks of "things", with may or may not be unique frequency.
The first thing that comes to my mind is that, is it really random? Will there be a possibility that in some blocks that they actually share an identical frequency? As in coding languages, random variables are most likely pseudorandom instead of actual randomness. That is these variables act randomly while actually running through an algorithm to derive a result that is non-recursive.
That gives us a corollary that the code of the word is actually a deterministic system where the starting condition and result are the same, with the random events occurring in between.
Also here I observe that the video is on a loop instead of continuous generation. (A sharp stutter occurred at a certain moment.) Then if we treat the whole video as one partition (or whole in general speaking) instead of 115 partitions.
If we treat it this way, then this work is actually a periodic, determining video that is recursive throughout the process. Thus not chaotic but somehow ordered.
Extra Observation
During the observation of the first work, an additional observation is that: the number and identity of visitors that went into the exhibition are also in a sense "Random" and "Chaotic".
Do we expect visitors? Yes. And do we know that all these visitors will eventually leave? Also a nod of the head. But what we cannot determine, or at least with visitors without an appointment is that it is not possible to predict their behaviour.
Like me, I was jotting down a draft for this article while watching different installations. However, I can also see there is a group of maybe students, that were being led by a worker to introduce the artist's work.
This indeed indicates there exists some kind of randomness to this exhibition that explains the possibilities of Chaos.
Second Work: When the end is the beginning
Off to the second work, the artist simulates three sounds of "homecoming". Consisting of the sound of the MTR, the sound of the keys colliding and the sound of the conveyer belt in the airport. It simulates the complete randomness of how daily things work and operate.
I don't really know much, but let's take a bold guess that, it really simulates three distinct destinations, or say three unique ways to go to some locations. However, if we take a perspective change, then we can imagine that except for the original part with MTR sounds, the key and the conveyer also recovers what happen in MTR.
As in the key part, all collision is caused by rotating shafts powered by motors which push the keys. If we consider the motors in the work itself, it sounds like it assembles the sound of the escalators in MTR.
And for the conveyer part, the dull sound is really similar to the visually impaired guidance indication at the escalator in MTR.
That is, three completely different parts reassemble what MTR exits usually behave, which the work may originally have had a different intention.
In conclusion, chaotic behaviour might lead to ultimately a very ordered result, which might be out of expectation.
Extra Observation265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBb66IWSBOR
Another interesting event happened to the second work when I am thinking about the third work. Since 4/F is holding a talk for that group of people I mentioned above, the works with sounds were muted and paused to avoid disturbance to the talk. That gives me another thought of randomness and certainty.
It is certain that there will be a talk during the exhibition, but the event itself is actually random. It indicates that for things in daily life that seem certain or are habits, a small event is already sufficient to change the whole situation into a new random event. Thus indicating there really exists a chaotic element in daily life.
But think about it, it stops due to an event. MTR also stops completely at the end of the day. Then there exists the same order between two chaotic events despite the fact that they are not identical.
Third Work: Rules on pulse
In the third and last part of the exhibition, I encounter one of the hardest works to try to understand or even try to feel what the work is trying to say. It's like a tangled yarn and it needs time to resolve. I decided to look at each individual picture first and even tried to observe the details of each picture.
I met my Waterloo. It doesn't form any things that I can even process and comprehend. It forms some kind of frequency while maintaining total chaos. I look closer and closer, just hoping that I can find a clue like finding Wally in a crowded place.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQn9npYZ1lp
I notice I was thinking too deep, I then took a step back. I might know what I'm missing, the basics. Recall what defines geometry ultimately: Dot and Line.
Then when we dissect the work into individual paintings and further decompose each work back to the fundamental element of geometry. Then everything seems to make sense now. They are all just a random distribution of dots and lines. When we look closely, then the paintings may seem chaotic. But when we observe those painting on the other side, far away from them, then they really still follow a certain distribution.
Conclusion
Randomness in daily life has its own chaotic behaviour and its own sequence. But if we change something in our life with random decisions, life might be a lot more interesting. Thus if we want to add some colour to life, we can try to mess with some elements in life, to make life a bit more chaotic among orders.
Thus a recall from my last article: Don't lose your way, but be a little rebellious along the path. 265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl62pLs09Sl
