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Bodies Remember
Nov. 16, 2024Los Angeles, CAOn view from 5-9pm, Current State Studio, Los Angeles, CA 90026
Curated by Jiayi Hou.
Kiki Liu, Jingyi Teng, Zhiheng Gong
Statement
by Jiayi Hou
Beyond the conceptual turns in contemporary art lies another way of knowing—through rigorous apprenticeships that train both body and mind. Through years of dedicated learning and practice, hands learn to shape clay, brushes become extensions of thought, and muscles memorize the poetry of movement.
This memory lives deep in the tissues. It transforms technical precision into unconscious grace, where every gesture flows as naturally as breathing. The artist’s body becomes both archive and instrument—storing decades of knowledge while channeling it into matter and motion. Here, the physical self serves as a vessel, carrying forward both ancient traditions and personal innovations.
While some contemporary practices step away from such embodied learning, dance remains firmly rooted in this physical wisdom. A dancer’s journey parallels that of the visual artist—both must surrender to years of training before true freedom of expression emerges. Both must let their bodies remember before they can create.
“Bodies Remember” brings together three artists, Kiki Liu, Jingyi Teng, and Zhiheng Gong, all rooted deeply in training their techniques and historical understanding of their practices in ceramics, painting, and lacquer art. Each artist’s practice is paired with a choreographed performance by professional contemporary dancers, embodying their work through a dynamic collaboration. Collectively, their work speaks to how muscle memory transforms into artistic freedom. When the body remembers, it provides not constraints but possibilities. Through their practices, we witness how technical foundations, once fully embodied, become a gateway to endless expression.
Zhiheng Gong, Kiki Liu, Jingyi Teng
Exhibition
Dance Performances
Bodies Remember beautifully explored the interplay between visual art and movement, with performances unfolding throughout the night to create an immersive experience that deeply connected art, dance, and audience. It was a true celebration of creativity, connection, and the power of interdisciplinary collaboration. With over 60 attendees at the opening, the event was an undeniable success and a memorable debut for this new creative project.