The Dust / 塵埃

2023
video installation
1920 x 1080, single channel video synchronised with the air compressor, 10 minute on loop
dust from Pitt Rivers Museum, transparent acrylic display box, LED light, wallpaper
this work is supported by the Delfina Foundation's research programme Collecting as Practice
video trailer ︎

Installation view at the Tabula Rasa Gallery in London, UK, 2023

The Dust is a multimedia work comprising a video and an installation that explores the intricate relationship between dust and identity. Drawing inspiration from real-world instances such as the extensive cleaning of the British Museum to remove lockdown dust, the artist delves into how dust becomes intertwined with specific contexts and narratives. The installation itself features an air compressor and an acrylic box display housing collected dust. As the air compressor blows air, the dust is blown upwards, creating a mesmerising visual effect. The artist contemplates the multifaceted nature of museum cleaning, ranging from the mundane task of removing visible dust and hair to the complex process of analysing microbial samples and implementing preservation techniques for artefacts. Dust concealed within display cases holds valuable information, such as the types and quantities of biological matter within exhibition spaces and potential risks to the artefacts. This becomes especially crucial for institutions focused on anthropology and natural history, where organic materials make up a significant portion of their collections. Thus, the cleaning of museums becomes intrinsically connected to maintaining their storage and display functions.

However, cleaning extends beyond the physical purification of spaces. Renowned anthropologist Dame Mary Douglas has long emphasised the intricate symbolic meanings of "cleanliness," encompassing cultural practices, rituals, and identity politics. The concept of cleanliness and pollution is fraught with ambiguity and complexity. Against the backdrop of paradigm shifts in the politics of museum collections and the global impact of infectious diseases, the act of cleaning becomes paradoxical and raises profound questions. In the accompanying looped video, the artist presents a microscopic examination of the dust collected from the Pitt Rivers Museum, accompanied by a poem by the artist. The Dust encapsulates a captivating exploration of dust's significance within the context of identity, museum practices, and the complex interplay between cleanliness and dirtiness. By intertwining visual and conceptual elements, the artwork invites contemplation and reflection on the deeper meanings and contradictions surrounding these themes.

Installation view at the Tabula Rasa Gallery in London, UK, 2023

Voice performed by Yoshimi Nouailles
Special thanks for the support from Delfina Foundation, Pitt Rivers Museum
Philip Grover, Andrew Hughes, Liu Sammi, Li Yisi, Shen Yiren, Zoe Diao

Related information ︎
︎︎︎ ARTFORUM
︎︎︎ EMPIRE LINES
︎︎︎ Tabula Rasa Gallery

© 2024 Musquiqui Lab

The Dust / 塵 埃

© 2024
Musquiqui Lab

The Dust / 塵埃