Local art organisation Four Dimension Spatial staged a performance called “Expressive Sight: Take Root” recently as part of its “Deconstruction of Subjectivity” series around the Guia Hill area.
The Macau Post Daily published an exclusive interview on February 15 about the three-day performance (February 17-19).
Dancer Guo Rui said in a brief interview before the performance that the work took the format of a guided tour, aiming to combine the experience of observing the ecological sights around the Guia Hill area and the dancers’ imitation of the plants’ movements.
Founded in 2013, Four Dimension Spatial aims to create diverse artistic projects and viewing experiences for audiences, as well as providing platforms for local artists for communication and production. The “Deconstruction of Subjectivity’’ series, launched this year, is a multi-region project in which artists with different backgrounds cooperate to create a collision of ideas.
N.B. The photo captions contain the group’s explanations provided during their performance last month.
“The plant’s roots are critical: they are not only the foundation but also absorbing water from the soil. Their roots are strong and versatile, and they can break even the hardest brick if needed for survival.”
“Some plants evolved to be highly flammable and ready to sacrifice themselves and kill off plants nearby to foster a fertile environment for their fire-proof offspring.”
“Living in another’s shadow means the death penalty, as no more sunlight could be used for photosynthesis. The relationship of the plants is more often than not a zero-sum game - one’s success leads to another’s demise.”
“There is no destination for a seed. Perhaps they flow endlessly in the sea, slowly waiting for a suitable growing place. They have only one purpose but with no fixed destiny.”
“When recorded and played fast-forward, slow-moving plants look strange and foreign to our conception of plants, and they appear ridiculous, unintelligent and meaningless. Nonetheless, behind these moments are a life and death combat. As humans, what we can do at best is to induce the meaning of their movement from our understanding.”
“In such a small area – a slope at the Guia Hill – a variety of plants battle for survival: for sunlight, water and space. Every resource must be well spent, and any mistake may lead to death.”
– Photos: William Chan
