中間內容區塊
Between II—Shyu Ruey-Shiann Solo Exhibition
2024/07/27 - 2024/10/20

On February 24, 2022, Russia's invasion of Ukraine captured the world's attention. In less than a month, on March 18, 109 baby strollers were seen in Lviv's central square in Ukraine to commemorate the 109 children who lost their lives within this short period of the invasion. This event, called "Tsina Viyny (The Price of War)," aimed to raise global awareness of the plight of Ukrainian children affected by the war.
    
Profoundly affected by this tragic event, we were compelled to document and present this historical period through the language of art. We believe that art is a powerful medium that evokes emotions and thoughts, raising awareness of the harsh realities of war.

"Between II" is a large-scale installation that combines kinetic art, sound, and interactive involvement. It features approximately 100 baby strollers, each carrying a message—musical or sound element—to represent the various ages, genders, and professions of the people affected by the war. These sounds may include the distant rumbles of destruction, the blasting of shells, sirens, as well as music, songs, recitations, life stories, and the cry of despair. The sounds are activated by pushing the strollers, and further enhanced by the ambient sounds in the installation space, whereby viewers experience a tangible yet abstract soundscape. 

At the project's outset, we launched an initiative in Taiwan to collect baby strollers and we received over 100 donations from concerned parents across the country in just two months’ time. Additionally, we traveled to war-torn Ukraine for on-site documentation and field recording. We also invited local citizens, as well as Ukrainians abroad, to participate in this art project.

Through this project, we hope to uncover the overlooked voices of the Ukrainian people who endure this historic tragedy and to emphasize the urgent calls for sovereignty, democracy, and freedom for Ukraine. We believe in the limitless power of a collective voice expressed in various forms and media.
 

Artist
Shyu Ruey-Shiann

Born in Taipei, Taiwan, Shyu Ruey-Shiann currently lives and works between New York and Taipei. From 1983 to 1992, he studied painting and sculpture in Taiwan. He then attended the École Supérieure d’Art d’Aix-en-Provence in France from 1992 to 1997, where he majored in plastic arts. This period sparked his interest in various new media and led him on the path to the art of kinetic sculpture and installation.

In his creative practice, Shyu employs mechanical material as the foundational structure of his art. He seeks to discover simple visual imagery through complex mechanical structures, transforming cold, rigid material into a rigorous, abstract, and humanized art. He uses mechanical elements as a medium to explore the essence of life, and creates a rhythm of life through precise components and repetitive movements.

For Shyu, art expresses life and reflects on society, the environment, and nature as a whole. His art instills new significance and vibrancy through the use of modern materials and contemporary mixed media. In recent years, he has collaborated with musicians, sound engineers, and human-computer interaction engineers, enriching his work with deeper meaning and presenting them in more dynamic and relevant ways.
 

Selected Artworks