Joana Vasconcelos / Exhibitions / ENCHANTED FOREST

ENCHANTED FOREST

ARTISTREE & Two Taikoo Place, Hong Kong

22/03/2024>28/04/2024

Enchanted Forest: immersive exhibition by Joana Vasconcelos for Swire Properties comprising two artworks, on view at ArtisTree and Two Taikoo Place in Hong Kong’s Quarry Bay district from 22 March until 28 April, in association with ArtBasel Hong Kong.

Kaleidoscope of Infinite Space: Enchanted Forest

Enchanted Forest, the site-specific artwork debuted at ArtisTree, takes place amidst a darkened setting, its sculptural forms illuminated by LED lights, setting the stage for an ethereal forest transcending the notions of time and space. Working alongside a team of artisans and dedicating six months to its completion, this large-scale kaleidoscope of magical wonder gives the perception of infinite space, where art and visitors merge seamlessly, unencumbered by physical barriers. Vasconcelos drew inspiration from her time in Hong Kong, envisioning the city's urban infrastructures as a magnificent forest of contemporary concrete trees that come alive at night when darkness descends and countless lights illuminate the surroundings. Using Dior fabrics and techniques habitually associated with the feminine realm of domesticity, such as sewing, knitting, crochet, Vasconcelos connects Enchanted Forest to the vast spectrum of her work, where she has repeatedly monumentalised artisanship to challenge societal perceptions of women's role.

Myth of the Commune: Valkyrie Seondeok

A dazzling museum-worthy textile sculpture from Vasconcelos’ long-running Valkyries series dominates the lobby of Two Taikoo Place, offering a fresh perspective on the interconnectedness of people wellbeing and the surroundings. Inspired by the powerful women who have made a difference in the world, this towering textile sculpture pays homage to Seondeok, the second female sovereign in recorded East Asian history and the first reigning queen of Silla, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, from 632 to 647. In the eyes of this inspiring Asian Queen, Vasconcelos's installation not only fills physical space but also radiates positive energy, inviting proactive dialogue on contemporary issues of feminism, personal and societal identity. Its giant amorphous structure resembles a living organism, animated by the interactions between installation and audience, as well as the connections forged among individuals who share a transformative experience within its presence. This captivating installation using Dior fabrics sparks contemplation on the interplay between art, people, and place.

Both installations sprung from my creative interpretation Hong Kong, a wonderfully futuristic city that in my mind’s eye has become this magical forest made up of contemporary concrete trees that take on another life at night when dark settles and a multitude of lights come on. Enchanted Forest captures a futuristic spirit while retaining an enchanted allure, you have all these elements dropping from the ceiling in an undefined dark space. The visitor does not really know where they stand, or if the installation itself is placed in the past or in the future, generating a feeling of being pretty amazed and pretty lost at the same time. As for Valkyrie Seondeok, I sculptured a giant amorphous structure that takes the form of a living organism, hinging on the connection the audience feels between the installation and Two Taikoo place; offering an exhilarating new perspective to its surroundings and something special and unexpected; a moment of impact, of connectivity or spiritual wellbeing.

Joana Vasconcelos