Meng Na Jiang's Untitled Exhibition

Meng Na Jiang’s untitled exhibition comprises of a single exhibit, inspired by her own experience as an Asian living in America. The art work pays homage to traditional Chinese medicine, featuring acupuncture specifically.

Front View of Exhibition

The solo installation features suspended facial features which are then connected to a painting of a man’s face via wires. On the suspended facial features, rods are attached at various positions, simulating the needles used for treatment in acupuncture. Additionally, English, and Chinese words are projected to either sides of the exhibit. Touching any of the needles causes the words to change according to which needle is touched. Lastly, the entire exhibit is bathed in a warm pink light.

Side View of Exhibition

Firstly, I found the reference of Chinese medicine refreshing as the course mainly focused on the symbiotic relationship between western medicine and art. Testimony to my point would be how Professor Vesna emphasised on “De Humani Corporis Fabrica Libri Septem” written by Andreas Vesalius instead of the interpretations by other eastern cultures. More importantly, I was surprised that despite all the new medicinal imaging technologies like MRI or CAT scans, traditional forms of medicine are still inspiring artist. 

Secondly, the pink tint of the room made it look like the viewer was enveloped in flesh and made the exhibit look human. Additionally, being fluent in both Chinese and English, I noticed that the words being shown on in the exhibits were not translations of each other. In addition, the words being shown were related to where the needle was located. The words seem to be linked to the public perception of what certain facial features represent. Hence, the exhibit made me think of the fusion between western and eastern cultures. Similar with how the public perceives art and science, western and eastern culture are often seen at odds with each other. Colloquially known as the East-West dichotomy in sociology, there are a myriad of perceived differences between the two cultures. Western ideology is believed to enshrine rationality, materialism, and individualism, while Eastern ideology is centered around religion, tradition, and family structure. However, the above is evidently not true especially in our increasingly globalized international community. Moreover, countries like United States, Singapore, and United Kingdom, melting pots in which people from all cultures mingle, are examples of successful fusion between west and east.

Living in Singapore, I personally do not feel that there is much of a difference between the two cultures. In addition, I feel that the fusion between both cultures is beneficial as an understanding of both cultures gives one more perspective. This argument can also be carried forward to the supposedly irreparable gulf between art and science. Given our human tendency to over simplify things, it is tempting to just assume that art and science are unrelated. However, this course and my own personal experience has dispelled any notions that the two fields are separate. Personally, I am glad I grew up in a family that promoted my exploration of the arts while also encouraging me to consider a career in science. I feel that it made studying science more interesting and fulfilling when you can explain decisions made by artist due to scientific knowledge. In addition, given the often-abstract nature of science, arts were a healthy balance that taught me to appreciate and observe the natural environment and its beauty. 

To realize that science and art are of equal value is also important in our globalized economy where just being good at a single field might no longer suffice. With the advancement of technology and with it dissemination of knowledge, professionals are expected to not only have technical knowledge but also be creative in applying their skills. Therefore, it is not advisable to isolate oneself from things considered unrelated to one’s field of study. 

Picture with Artist Meng Na Jiang(Left)

Event Weblink:

https://dma.ucla.edu/events/calendar/?ID=1004

Sources:

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