Once [you] don’t worry about mundane things, [you] achieve inner peace (Xinzhongwuchenxinzian心中无尘心自安)

The installation by Yaoxi Wei is centered around the philosophy of Zen or Chan Buddhism, which originated in China during the Tang dynasty (618–907). It recreates a meditative, minimalistic Zen-space thus providing an immersive experience for people, aiming to convey to them a sense of calm, satisfaction and inner peace.

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This project was largely inspired by Yaoxi’s personal experience. “As I was growing older and gradually entering a complex society, the pressures and temptations in all aspects were increasing, and I often felt anxious and irritable, I could not deal with problems calmly,” – she recalls. Yaoxi believes that the core of self-salvation within the chaotic world, overloaded with information, lies in finding inner strength and sense of order. According to the artist, “only when the inner world is stable, there will be enough energy to face external changes and challenges.”

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In its form, the installation is echoing motives of a Zen Garden – a meditative place, isolated from external distraction, from the hustle and bustle of society. Through emphasizing the purity of natural materials and using simple and elegant colours, Yaoxi is adhering to the artistic concept of the “Dao  道 (path) of simplicity.”

​————Daria Ozerskaya

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