Toong x Yang Yang: Fresh as an Effort to Preserve Time

Yang Yang – The Inner Feelings of a Time Archivist

Yang Yang, born in 1997, grew up in a modern world where the Internet shapes how people perceive time. She faces a challenging reality: the monotony and emptiness of time in urban life. For Yang Yang, the feeling of "time flowing straight" not only creates a sense of helplessness but also forms a fear of disappearing, losing traces of herself in the flow of history.

There is no turning back to the past; the present and future are absolute inescapable in the grip of the biological body. This fear of linear time gives rise to archival behavior, shielding against the fear of loss, driven by the motive of possession. This fear has become the driving force behind Yang Yang's quest for meaning in the act of archiving. She transforms seemingly insignificant moments into works of art to protect memory and time from forgetfulness.

Her philosophy is influenced by Walter Benjamin's concept of "Homogeneous empty time" – a uniform and empty time where humans attempt to resist the flow by creating events. However, to resist, Yang Yang does not follow the traditional path of embellishing time with linear marks. Instead, she chooses the act of archiving as a way to condense time, preserving moments that, in her view, would otherwise fall into oblivion.

The fear of the impermanence of time has driven Yang Yang to create works that recreate memory and reality through meticulous brushwork on silk. She likens each piece to a personal archive, where she arranges, preserves, and seeks to distill time to avoid being swept away in the anonymity of modern flow.

Yang Yang's approach is not just about recreating reality; it is a dialogue between her and time. Through the exhibition "Trong Lành," Yang Yang invites the audience to look deeply into archival actions from a distant, exaggerated, and seemingly meaningless projection, with rich natural subjects that connect directly or indirectly, tangibly or intangibly, frozen or ephemeral, beautiful or lost. All aim to create an ideal but unreal freshness – an effort to hold onto the soul of a world that is gradually fading.

Exhibition "Trong Lành" – When Memory Becomes Art

At "Trong Lành," Yang Yang guides viewers into an experimental space where objects are archived and framed as an effort to hold onto time. The works are not only painted on silk but also combine contrasting materials like stainless steel, wood, and concrete. The conflict between soft and rigid materials is not to showcase contrast but to emphasize the opposition between memory and reality, between human fragility and the weight of time.

"Nói" – The Sound of Locked Hands

One of the particularly attention-grabbing pieces is "Nói" from Trong Lành No. 5, where hands are trapped in a glass box, shaped according to sign language. Each hand shape represents a letter, forming the phrase "CLEANING MYSELF." The artwork evokes a sense of both confinement and freedom – as if the hands are trying to communicate in silence. Viewers, when deciphering the sign language, will experience an intriguing interaction where time and memory intertwine to tell their own story. 

"Trùng" – The Interrelationship Between Humans and Nature

The piece "Trùng" from Trong Lành No. 2 is a series of silk paintings resembling insect specimen boxes, reflecting the biological relationship and possession of humans. The precision in each line, combined with the delicate silk material, creates a feeling of both familiarity and strangeness – as if viewers are confronting a museum of their own memories. This is no longer a story about nature but rather a narrative about how humans preserve and possess what they cannot control.

"W.I.P" – A Sense of Beauty and Appropriation

Upon entering Trong Lành No. 3, "W.I.P," viewers are invited to contemplate a world where the deaths of natural entities are framed and archived. The idea of preservation mingles with the irony of ownership. The artwork evokes a feeling of both reverence for the beauty of nature and criticism of human arrogance. This is a moment for viewers to confront their own actions, questioning whether they are preserving or appropriating.

Connection Between Toong and Yang Yang

The collaboration between Toong and Yang Yang is a harmony of philosophy and vision. Toong constantly seeks ways to integrate art and creative thinking into daily life. Yang Yang, with her philosophy of archiving time and memory, brings unique value, transforming Toong's space into a place where each visitor not only works but also explores themselves. The "Trong Lành" exhibition is a testament to how art enriches the soul and opens meaningful dialogues about time, memory, and existence.

The opening of "Trong Lành" took place in a solemn yet warm atmosphere. Attendees were captivated by the contrasts in the artworks and the stories Yang Yang shared. The exhibition also sparked lively discussions about Yang Yang's artistic philosophy, her innovative approach to silk, and the powerful messages conveyed through each piece. This was not just an exhibition but an emotional experience that left each person reflecting deeply.

"Trong Lành" by Yang Yang is not merely an exhibition but an invitation for dialogue. It is a space where time is framed, memories are preserved, and individuals are invited to reflect on themselves through the lens of art. With a meaningful combination of art and creative space, the exhibition left a profound impression on attendees.

Toong hopes that through programs like this, everyone can find their own "fresh space" – a place to listen, reflect, and continue to cherish the valuable aspects of life.