Schizophrenia Taiwan 2.0, Ambika P3
Ambika P3, Marylebone Road, host this cutting edge show that explores the schozephrenic identity of a contemporary Taiwan
Daily, by Liang-Hsuan CHEN
The space
Ambika P3 is probably one of the biggest and least known art spaces in central London. Hidden just across the road from Madame Tussaud’s, the elusive 14000 square foot former underground hangar escapes attention at street-level despite its size. The space is devoted to contemporary art and architecture and hosts a well-spaced but impressive program of exhibitions and commissions.
The exhibition
We recommend their forthcoming exhibition Schizophrenia Taiwan 2.0, introducing the works of young and emerging new media artists from Taiwan. Curated by I-Wei Li and Pierre Bongiovanni, the exhibition will also be touring Argentina, Brazil, US and Canada.
The title of the show has been coined after the ‘schizophrenic nature’ of the country – an island 15 times smaller than France. This refers to: a national identity that has endured colonization by Japan, China, Portugal and the Netherlands; the presence of 14 native Austronesian tribes; and recent technological advances (a staggering 80% of the world’s electronics are made there), which has helped make for a vibrant economy. This phenomenon of a mish-mash of cultural and economic influences has resulted in what has been termed as global schizophrenia – ‘a disorder characterized by an inability to share an interpretation of reality with others’ – an aspect Taiwan shares with the developed world.
Critical view
There’s a plethora of thought-provoking and interesting work. We particularly like Floating by Goang-Ming Yuan, a single channel video installation that takes the perspective of someone cast adrift on the boat. The viewer feels abandoned and vulnerable, exposed to dangers of the vast ocean, echoing the perilous journey of migrants who sail in barely sea-worthy boats in search of a brighter future. Another favourite is three-channel video installation film Goodbye Little Factory by Chieh-Jen Chen, which is both a poetic and poignant meditation on the migratory effects of industrialisation as it moves from richer to poorer countries.
Schizophrenia Taiwan 2.0 is fascinating response to globalisation by an island uniquely place at the forefront of cybernetics. Not to be missed.
Ambika P3 is probably one of the biggest and least known art spaces in central London. Hidden just across the road from Madame Tussaud’s, the elusive 14000 square foot former underground hangar escapes attention at street-level despite its size. The space is devoted to contemporary art and architecture and hosts a well-spaced but impressive program of exhibitions and commissions.
The exhibition
We recommend their forthcoming exhibition Schizophrenia Taiwan 2.0, introducing the works of young and emerging new media artists from Taiwan. Curated by I-Wei Li and Pierre Bongiovanni, the exhibition will also be touring Argentina, Brazil, US and Canada.
The title of the show has been coined after the ‘schizophrenic nature’ of the country – an island 15 times smaller than France. This refers to: a national identity that has endured colonization by Japan, China, Portugal and the Netherlands; the presence of 14 native Austronesian tribes; and recent technological advances (a staggering 80% of the world’s electronics are made there), which has helped make for a vibrant economy. This phenomenon of a mish-mash of cultural and economic influences has resulted in what has been termed as global schizophrenia – ‘a disorder characterized by an inability to share an interpretation of reality with others’ – an aspect Taiwan shares with the developed world.
Critical view
There’s a plethora of thought-provoking and interesting work. We particularly like Floating by Goang-Ming Yuan, a single channel video installation that takes the perspective of someone cast adrift on the boat. The viewer feels abandoned and vulnerable, exposed to dangers of the vast ocean, echoing the perilous journey of migrants who sail in barely sea-worthy boats in search of a brighter future. Another favourite is three-channel video installation film Goodbye Little Factory by Chieh-Jen Chen, which is both a poetic and poignant meditation on the migratory effects of industrialisation as it moves from richer to poorer countries.
Schizophrenia Taiwan 2.0 is fascinating response to globalisation by an island uniquely place at the forefront of cybernetics. Not to be missed.
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| What | Schizophrenia Taiwan 2.0, Ambika P3 |
| Where | Ambika P3, 35-100 Marylebone Rd, London, NW1 5LS | MAP |
| Nearest tube | Baker Street (underground) |
| When |
23 Oct 14 – 02 Nov 14, 12:00 AM – 12:00 AM |
| Price | £Free |
| Website | Click here for more information on the exhibit |