Melody Yat-Wan Chan

以銅為鏡

「以銅為鏡，可以正衣冠；以史為鏡，可以知興替。」《舊唐書•魏徵傳》

Bronze as a Mirror reflects one's appearance; History as a Mirror reveals the rise and fall.

Old Book of Tang, Biography of Wei Zheng' From 941 A.D., China.

More detailed description: https://sites.google.com/view/melodychanart/works/bronze-as-mirror

Description

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Scientific Explanation

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Bronze as Mirror

Mirrors in Chinese culture symbolize cleanliness, brightness, and the reflection of a true image. They are regarded as tools that can reflect a person's inner qualities and spiritual state.

I entrusted the Chinese intangible cultural heritage inheritors as the fabricator to create a unique artwork using an extraordinary traditional craftsmanship. We crafted a “Chinese magic mirror” that reflects the Friedman equation under specific conditions, through the medium of light in created an artwork that encompasses light, shadows, and spatial dimensions.

Chinese magic mirror (透光鏡)

In traditional Chinese rituals, mirrors are regarded as sacred objects or ceremonial tools, serving as a means of communication between humans and deities. Ancient people believed that one could glimpse the future or receive revelations through mirrors. The Chinese magic mirror, a special mirror crafted with astonishing craftsmanship in ancient China, appears no different from an ordinary mirror in general. However, in specific circumstances, it can project hidden messages from within (This technique can be traced back to the Western Han Dynasty 202 BC - 195 BC, whose optical principle was not deciphered until 1932). Therefore, during the Edo period (1603-1867), the Chinese magic mirror also became a tool used by Japanese Christians to conceal their identity and secretly worship under religious prohibitions.

The Tang Dynasty mirror (唐代日月星辰五嶽生肖八卦鏡)

The backside of this mirror features a reproduction of the famous Tang Dynasty (618-690, 705-907) mirror. It encompasses the key concepts of Daoism, including the belief in a round sky and square earth, the celestial bodies of the sun, moon, and stars, the five sacred mountains(五嶽) and four great rivers(四瀆), the Chinese zodiac(生肖) and the Eight Trigrams(八卦). These contents reflect the ancient Chinese's philosophical ideas and understanding of the world in relation to astronomy, geography, and humanity. Daoism considers the mirror as capable of "reflecting the prototypes of demons and spirits," making the bronze mirror also a ritual object in Daoism.

Friedman equation

The Friedman equation, based on the principles of relativity, is used in cosmology to derive the history of the universe's expansion, speculate about the origin of the universe, and predict its future. Nearly one hundred years after the publication of Alexander Friedmann's most renowned work, Friedman equations have been expanded to encompass a Universe characterized by an inflationary origin, dark matter, neutrinos, and dark energy. When k = -1, the equation assumes an 'open universe' as a premise, predicting and discussing the future development of the cosmos.

Multiple layers of meaning and concerns

Interweaving and relative, reconstruction and coexistence. This artwork represents my contemplation of identity and belonging as an international student during my study abroad. It encompasses multiple layers of meaning and concerns.

The primary layer of meaning in the artwork is my concern for the destiny of my own people. By using the symbolic and sacred tools of rituals, I have chosen light as a medium to project a potential revelation and vision for the future (the universe). As a Chinese artist, I sincerely hope that my fellow compatriots, while carrying the abundant cultural heritage, can embark on a future (the universe) that is characterized by rationality, truth-seeking, and openness to light. 

The second layer of meaning in the artwork focuses on how humanity, throughout ancient and modern civilizations, has sought to understand the universe and our place within it. The artwork's significance encompasses the journey from traditional craftsmanship to mythology, rituals, ancient philosophy, religion, religious and political persecution, and modern physics (cosmology). Thus, from the mirror surface to the walls, the light rays serve as a metaphorical timeline, reflecting the evolving human understanding of the existing universe across different eras.

Mirrors serve not only as instruments for personal grooming but also as manifestations of desires, thoughts, and spiritual realms.

As for the deeper layers of meaning, they are related to or in response to my nation's recent social development.

While I am unable to explain them here explicitly, I can provide some insights for the audience to contemplate and reflect upon.

1. During the Edo period in Japan, the Chinese magic mirror served as a tool for Christians to conceal their identity and confirm their faith in the face of religious and political persecution.

2. Although the surface appears blank or empty, it holds content and messages within.

3. Approximate pronunciation of the Friedmann equation.

4. In tradition, mirrors have also been used to communicate with and commemorate those departed spirits.

以銅為鏡

鏡在中國文化中像徵著聖潔、明亮和真實的形象。它被視為可以反映人的心靈與內在品質的媒介。

筆者妥托中國非物質文化遺產傳承人為製造商，以傳統技術打造一面能夠映照傅里德曼方程（Friedmann equation）在特定前設下的透光鏡，創造一個光影與場域的藝術作品。 

透光鏡

在中國傳統祭祀中，鏡被視為神聖的物品或儀式工具，作為人與神明交流的媒介。古人相信，人能夠從鏡中看見未來或得到啟示。透光鏡是一種以青銅鑄造的特殊鏡子、一項古代驚人的成就。它雖與一般的鏡子無異，唯獨在特定的條件下，鏡面能夠投影出隱藏在內的訊息（此技術最早可見於西漢時代 （公元前202年－前195年），其光學原理直至1932年才被解開）。因此在江戶時代（1603年－1867年）透光鏡亦成為日本基督徒在宗教禁令下隱藏身份和秘密禮拜的工具。

日月星辰五嶽生肖八卦鏡

這面透光鏡的背面復刻了唐代（618年—690年，705年—907年）日月星辰五嶽生肖八卦鏡。其鏡背紋式包含道家的主要觀念：天圓地方、日月星辰、五嶽四瀆、生肖八卦等內容。反映出中國古人對天文、地理、人文之間的哲學思想。道教認為鏡能「觀照妖魅原型」，故銅鏡亦為道教的法器之一。

傅里德曼方程 (Friedman equation)

傅里德曼方程以相對論為基礎，於宇宙學中用以推測宇宙的起源、膨脹的歷史和預測宇宙的未來等。在Alexander Friedmann發表近一個世紀後，傅里德曼方程已經擴展到包括具有膨脹起源、暗物質、中微子和暗能量的宇宙中。而當k = - 1時，方程以「開放性宇宙」為前設推導宇宙的命運。

多重的意涵和關注

交錯與相對、再造與共存。這是一件筆者在英國留學期間思考個人身份的作品，包含了多重的含意和關注。

首重意涵是筆者對自己族人命運的顧慮。藉祭祀中的象徵神聖及預言的工具，選以光作為媒介，照出（預言）一個未來可能發生的啟示和展望。作為華人創作者，展望是族人在肩負豐碩文化的同時，能夠邁向理性求真、光明開放的未來（宇宙）；作品的第二層意涵，關注在古今文明上，人類如何理解宇宙及我們在其中所身處的位置。這件作品涵蓋了從傳統工藝、神話、儀式、古代哲學、宗教、宗教迫害和現代物理（宇宙學）的意義。從鏡面到牆身，光線仿如一條隱喻的時間軸，映照智人對世界認知的演變。

傳統上鏡不只用於照容，更能體現出人的慾望、人的思想和人的精神境界。

至於作品往下的意涵，留待觀眾深思。

One to One Art Live Performance 'Decode the Braille by touch' at Tate Modern. 

As part of the Royal College of Art CAP Festival x Tate Modern Lates event 'Beyond Surface - Tactile Presence'.

31 Mar 2023 , Tate Modern, London

Blavatnik Building, Level 2

6:00 - 9:30 pm

Between Trenches, OPENing Gallery, London.

Curated by Amandine Vabre-Chau.

26 Jan - 3 Feb, 2023