Christopher Lin: What Do You Call the World?
Thomas Hunter Project Space
930 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY
October 7 – October 25
Opening Reception: October 14, 6-8pm
“Where do you come from?”
“From the South.”
“How is Practice there these days?”
“There is extensive discussion.”
“How does that compare to me here planting the fields?”
“What can you do about the world?”
“What do you call the world?”
– from Shōyō-roku (Book of Equanimity)
Thomas Hunter Projects is pleased to present an exhibition by 2015 MFA Alumnus Christopher Lin. In What do you call the world, Lin presents an installation addressing a koan from Shōyō-roku (Book of Equanimity) posing the paradoxical question as its namesake. In the parable, two teachers briefly discuss their practices upon meeting. One, who favors discussion, poses the question, “What can you do about the world?” In response, the other posits, “What do you call the world?”
In the isolation of a small, underground room, Lin has illustrated this paradox. Gravity has been flipped creating a surreal sensation. Bathed in the magenta glow of modern grow lamps, Spathiphyllum, or peace lilies, grow downwards despite the lack of natural light. A clock runs in reverse.
Visitors will need to get a “guest pass” from the main entrance at Hunter College on the corner of 68th St. and Lexington Ave. You may then use any entrance to reach the Thomas Hunter Project Space, located in the basement of the Thomas Hunter Building (930 Lexington Ave.)
