States of Meditation: Silk Cyanotype Installation
Composed of 24 sheets of silk cyanotype, artist Haoyun Erin Zhao created a 16 by 16 feet circular installation that takes over the two-story indoor atrium of Heron Arts in San Francisco. Titled States of Meditation, the work reflects upon the idea of change and cyclical processes through a non-linear visual narrative that parallels different states of meditation, and in which how the human form experiences them, from restlessness and mind-wandering, to concentration, stillness, emptiness, and everything in between.
Working with light-sensitive fabric, Zhao utilizes her body and wood cutouts as UV resists to express in an alternative language, resulting in images that dwell between figure and amorphousness. The process emphasizes equally on chance and control as the artist worked closely with ever-changing natural elements, like light intensity, wind speed, and time, while deliberately handling a labor-intensive process of treating, dyeing, washing, drying, and sewing hundreds of yards of silk organza.
Through this highly experimental and process-driven work, Zhao continues to explore the connections between physical and non-physical mediums while further contemplating the interrelationship between self, other beings, and the environment.
Zhao also collaborated with Moscelyne ParkeHarrison, a contemporary ballet dancer and choreographer from Post:Ballet to present two live performances during the exhibition, with music by Daniel Berkman. The video above offers a glimpse of the performance.
Process Video