Yuwen Guo

In the project “Prana,” I perform in a cocoon-shaped installation to investigate the transformative dynamics of memories within. Each body contains a distinct collection of memories, prompting viewers to reflect on the profound influence of memories on personal identity and the lasting, unexpected consequences of forgotten experiences.

Inspired by Eastern philosophy and ancient rituals, the project explores the cycles of life and death while highlighting memory as a dynamic and fluid process that perpetually reconfigures our present reality. It draws from phenomenological perspectives, emphasizing the embodiment of memory and its profound impact on subjective consciousness.

The project also delves into the intricate relationship between memory, the body, and the universe. The body, serving as the material foundation of the memory subject, retains and remembers experiences in a collectively relevant manner. It explores the tangible reality of bodily memory, the inter-subjectivity that defines memory's boundaries, and the search for consciousness within the physical body's aura.

By challenging the linear concept of time, the fluidity of memory disrupts conventional temporal structures. Memories transcend chronological order, intertwining past, present, and future in unforeseen ways. This temporal fluidity prompts a reevaluation of how memory influences our perception of time and encourages a deeper understanding of its impact on our lived experiences.