Installation view, Hong-gah Museum, 2022.

[VIDEO STILL] Zeewaar, the first seaweed farm in the Netherlands, at Jacobhaven, Zeeland. Acquired by The Seaweed Company, 2022.

In this setup, the fishing nets emulate the appearance of seaweeds growing downwards, while the projectors mimic the glow of sunlight from above.

Throughout the exhibition period, the hanging fishing nets progressively increase in density and length. As the show reaches its final days, the nets devour the space, entangling the audience and obstructing video projections. This resonates with the fact that the museum's space, much like the ocean, is finite. Overlooking this fact may result in the overwhelming expansion of green or sustainable initiatives.

security cam view / hanging density 30%

Video documentation made by 鏡新聞

installation view

[VIDEO STILL] Seaweed farming in Veerse Meer, Zeeland (Veersche Wier).

[VIDEO STILL] Sea lettuce from Zeewaar.

security cam view / hanging density 60%

[VIDEO STILL] Seaweed farming in Zeeland, the Netherlands.

security cam view / hanging density 90%

Large scale seaweed farming operation on East China Sea near Qingdao Province.

installation view

[VIDEO STILL] Seaweed farming induced algae boom near Qing Dao Province, China.

Image: NASA

[VIDEO STILL] Large scale seaweed farming operation on East China Sea near Qingdao Province.

Image: Google

Matter of Scale

2021-2022

Exhibitions:

Matter of Scale, Hong-gah Museum, Taipei (30 Jul.-2 Oct. 2022)

Neighbour North Sea, Quartair, The Hague (Nov. 2022)

Synchronised video installation with collected fishing nets

In 2021, YouTube algorithm suggested that I should become a seaweed farmer; therefore, I have been attempting to become one, as the practice is being hailed as the most sustainable form of farming [1] in many parts of Europe. During the process, I began to wonder if the collective passion towards expanding ocean farming has a problematic outlook [2].

[1] Since seaweed farming requires no land, no fertiliser and no fresh water resource, it has been considered sustainable by many scientists and activists.

[2] Large scale seaweed farming in East Asia and the malpractice involved does manifest disturbance on the ecosystem, such as the algal bloom off Qingdao every summer.

Co-produced with Hong-gah Museum, Taipei.

Read full curatorial text here, from Zoe Yeh, director of Hong-gah Museum.