Being Transducer

Pace University Art Gallery is pleased to present Being Transducer, the first solo exhibition in New York by the Synphysica, Chiaochi Chou and Youyang Hu. This exhibit builds on the duo's ongoing exploration of a "bio-Internet of Things," expanding upon philosopher Timothy Morton's object-oriented ecological perspective. Being Transducer aims to reveal a network of biological signals that transcend individual, species, geographic, and temporal boundaries, highlighting the complex relationships and multiple existences within ecosystems. Founded in 2018 by Chou and Hu, Synphysica is known for its large-scale installations that incorporate living organisms, including humans and plants. Their work seeks to reveal the subjectivity of non-human entities through bioelectrical signals, break down physical barriers between species, and visually portray the ecological landscape of collective interactions. Their solo exhibition at Pace University engages with Timothy Morton's concept of "dark ecology," illustrating how all elements within an ecosystem—human and non-human alike—exist within a complex, interwoven network. The exhibition highlights both the visible interactions within this ecology and the subtle, often imperceptible interactions that lie beneath the surface. As Chou explains, "The boundary between humans and nature is absolutely blurred. We cannot regard nature simply as an external world. The concept of humans and nature being a binary relationship must be cast away." The six immersive artworks on display showcase Synphysica's creative evolution from 2020 to 2024. They reveal how subtle life signals manifest within materials and traverse connections between humans, nature, and objects—both physically and virtually. The installations create links from New York's bustling skyscrapers to forests around the globe, highlighting the intricate interplay between these diverse environments. This exhibit is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. To create the work on view, the artists have received further collaboration from the National Tsinghua University Chiao-Wei Li Laboratory, the University of Tokyo Yasuaki Kakehi Laboratory, Columbia University Uriarte Lab, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York (TECO), the Asian Cultural Council (ACC), Brooklyn Artists Studio (BAS), and Project Fulfill Art Space as well as sponsorship from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at the National Tsinghua University and Crystal Park in New York.

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