Wishing Tower
This immersive installation uses the physical trajectory of burning cigarettes as its narrative thread, constructing an energy-interaction field where the virtual and the real interpenetrate. The work consists primarily of multiple suspended brass chambers; when visitors drop extinguished cigarette butts into the device, it triggers a sound and atomization system, while the installation's smoke intertwines with electronic incense to form a hybrid matrix of auditory and olfactory sensations. An acoustic system captures ambient noise and whispers, deconstructing sound waves and reconstructing them into a Babel-like wall of sound, where occasional bursts of frequency can awaken moments of synesthesia. In the end, all ashes are devoured by a purification system—the spiritual energy we project into the void ultimately becomes a technological miracle wrought by silicon-based deities.
The work deliberately preserves technological imperfections: occasionally lagging sensors, intermittently functioning atomizers—all hinting at the cognitive gap that perpetually exists in human-machine interaction. This imperfect ritualism resonates with the indeterminacy and reconciliation found in spiritual experience. When the last trace of incense ash dissipates into the air, participants will finally understand: every transcendent pursuit is but a gentle resistance projected into the void.
Da Feng, lives and works in Beijing, graduated from the Sculpture Department of the Central Academy of Fine Arts. His diverse body of work encompasses installations, videos, and paintings, each imbued with a powerful narrative that transcends themes. While his art may exude a sense of tranquility, it harbors a deep undercurrent of playful irony.
In his creative practice, Da Feng masterfully dissects and reconstructs traditional and secular cultures, alongside the entrenched prejudices of society. He redefines the intricate relationships within our perceptual world, unsettling and transforming conventional definitions along the way. Through a rich tapestry of mixed media, he delves into the complex interplay between individual consciousness and the multifaceted nature of society, illuminating the human contradictions woven into the fabric of a multicultural landscape. His work seamlessly blends contemporary expression with traditional cultural sentiments. Da Feng employs elements of Chinese mythology as potent metaphors, drawing from his distinctive personal experiences to reflect the diverse social attitudes around him. This fusion of the personal and the collective in his art eloquently captures the coexistence of individual ideals and the spirit of collectivism, inviting viewers to engage with the layers of meaning nestled within.
