WHEN SPIRITS

FLOW BACKWARDS

Curated by Aung Myat Htay

Co-organized by: Myanmar Photo Archive and Goethe Institute Myanmar 

Curator Note:

When we look back to Myanmar history, it may seem that the current period has changed significantly from the past, but there is no divide between the past and the present in the spiritual relations. The historical contexts are connected with each other, with the reflection of the socio-political, cultural and economic values of a particular period of the country from the late monarchy to colonial time and the modern days under political uncertainties. When we say “Modernism” it has connections to the history of colonialism and cultural diversity, as “modernity” and its individualism, industrialization and modern culture as Western influences on Asia. In terms of this approach to history, we see the “Reality” from the archive images, and think about how we are and how we look in the present, that could be juxtaposed to our contemporaries and experience of life.

When we see the images from the archive, we face different perceptions like emotional or rational points in re/member of our memories; as you may notice their behavior in spiritual attachments, you may probably imagine the past and be proud with patriotic or nostalgic feelings, but in fact the shadows of images that attract the viewer may haunt or obsess in positive or negative connotations. In most Asian countries, including Myanmar, believe in apparition of the “afterlife” realm, as said; "Our bodies are the memories of our ancestors." Scientifically described that our body is identically from our ancestors, and these characteristics are often manifested as race, skin color and physical appearance. In this exhibition we will see a broader concept denoting the production of different kinds of subject/object, material/immaterial and self/other relations and nature as a being on earth. In this exhibition, we bring the shadows of the past which flow in our mind and still haunt us through the surface of photographic memories.

Artists:

1.Han Reality

2.Moe Myat May Zarchi

3.May Thin Kyi

4.Kelvin Shine Ko

5.Kyaw Min Htet

6.Alco Htoo

7.Ko Sai

8.Ye Kyaw Aung