“Gèn” embodies the continuity of time and space, representing the profound flow of life between heaven and earth. The Suzhou Museum of Contemporary Art, located in the Suzhou Industrial Park, not only connects to the contemporary vibrancy of Gusu but also reaches back to the Neolithic civilization found at the Caoxieshan site. Thus, under the theme of “Gèn”, the inaugural exhibition highlights four significant temporal markers from the local historical narrative—6,000, 3,000, 600, and 30 years—to invite the public on “A Journey Through Art’s Transcendence”.
The character “亘”(Gèn) consists of “二” and “回”. “二” signifies heaven and earth, while “回” symbolizes the endless circulation of wind and clouds. This encapsulates the Eastern philosophical concept of the harmonious flow of Yin and Yang, as well as the convergence of heaven and earth. It also serves as an imagery-based representation of the ideas in Chinese art, such as the interdependence of the virtual and the real, and the intertwining of illusion and truth. By an intriguing coincidence, the two-story Gallery 8 we are utilizing mirrors the structure of the character “亘”(Gèn)—forming a vertical resonance that facilitates a seamless integration and communication between the levels. Moreover, the artworks and their arrangement within the hall aim to reflect the various atmospheres where form and spirit interplay.
“Gèn” does not signify immutability; rather, it represents those elements, from ancient times to the present and even into the future, that we still believe are worthy of reverence. This exhibition, conceived over the course of three years and featuring nearly thirty artists from both China and abroad, serves as a hairpin for Suzhou’s history and present, gathering together its spirit and embracing beauty.
