Double Square 双方藝廊

Double Square Gallery is thrilled to announce the upcoming exhibition "Midsummer Olympism: My Life, My Arena," from July 6th to August 25th. Breaking away from traditional gallery premises, this exhibition will premiere as a pop-up exhibit at Uncanny @ NOKE JUT, transcending the confines of the conventional gallery imagery and constraints. By seamlessly integrating the art viewing experience into the ambiance of a shopping mall, visitors can enhance their appreciation for art while indulging in leisure activities. This initiative aims to foster greater public engagement with the arts and seamlessly integrate art into their daily lives. As we welcome the 33rd Olympic Game Paris 2024 this summer, it not only heralds a global sporting extravaganza but also sparks inspiration for exhibitions. Taking the Olympics as its thematic backdrop, explores the intimate connection between sports and daily routine. Featuring 10 diverse artists including, Lin Liang-Tsai, Yao Jui-Chung, Agi Chen Yi-Chieh, Chen Wan-Jen, Kuo Yen-Fu, Huang Hai-Hsin, Tsui Kuang-Yu, Chang Yu-Chia, Lo Yi-Chun, and Shaun Gladwell. The artists employ a variety of unique perspectives and mediums to illustrate the reciprocal inspiration and coexistence between sports and art.
Since its establishment in Athens, Greece in 1896, the Olympic Games have evolved into one of the world's most internationally diverse and significant events. Nations have increasingly utilised the Games not only to showcase their athletic prowess and resources but also to navigate complex relationships involving capital and political systems. Today, through sponsorship from governments and corporations, the Olympics not only generate substantial commercial opportunities but also underscore the critical role of socio-economic evolution in the development of the sports industry and its profound impact on local life. Throughout Olympic history, artistic competitions were held from 1912 to 1948, fostering diplomatic exchanges in culture, art, athletics, politics, and economics, highlighting the cultural values of peace, friendship, and fair competition. Sports go beyond mere physical activity; they serve as a manifestation of cultural phenomena, expressing the collective consciousness and emotional connections of humanity. Through the interpretations of artists, we can delve into the aesthetic allure of sports and explore issues such as resource allocation, class disparities, and power imbalances within the field, along with their historical context. From graceful movements to magnificent competition scenes, the exhibition echoes the passion and team emblematic of global sporting events, while also highlighting the core values inherited from the Olympics. It examines how sports extend beyond the confines of the arena to become integrated into daily life, serving as an emotional backbone for individuals to overcome life's challenges.
The artworks in this exhibition reflect the dynamics of contemporary society and culture through various mediums such as painting, sculpture, mixed media, and video installations. By integrating elements of cross-cultural influences, the artists craft a visually captivating experience, presenting rich visual and cultural dimensions. Yao Jui-Chung merges Eastern and Western mythologies with Ukiyo-e elements, creating whimsical and fantastical paintings inspired by exotic residency experiences, presenting a spectacle of summer. Agi Chen Yi-Chieh's work explores the impact of mass media culture on collective visual memory through the transformation of cartoon colors, sparking cultural dialogue between sports and animation. Additionally, the exhibition delves into the intertwining of sports and dynamic aesthetics, showcasing how artists express their creative concepts through the movements and dynamism of athletes. Kuo Yen-Fu's creations draw from his own experiences as an athlete, vividly depicting the moments and power of athletes on the field. Chang Yu-Chia extends the dynamic aesthetics of gymnasts series from eastern gouache on silk to sculptural installations, creating multi-layered temporal narratives. Lin Liang-Tsai's sculptures explore human dynamics through metal, transforming moments of sports into eternal artistic forms. Shaun Gladwell delves into the intersection of extreme sports and subcultures through mediums such as photography and video, inviting cyclists to interpret freestyle riding against classical architectural backdrops, creating a visually poetic and dynamic spectacle with slow movements and blurred geographical elements.
The exhibition concept underscores the manner in which artists articulate their observations of the world by reflecting on daily life and society. Chen Wan-Jen captures the boundless aspirations of swimmers in the infinite blue sea through the cyclical movements depicted in his video installations. Lo Yi-Chun explores the socio-economic transitions from labor to fitness by reshaping fitness equipment crafted from sugarcane residue, shedding light on the influence of globalization on local livelihoods. Huang Hai-Hsin vividly captures everyday life in the swimming pool with vibrant colors and brushstrokes, showcasing life's humor and wit through the activities of summer swimmers. Tsui Kuang-Yu's works challenge social norms by innovatively reconstructing everyday behaviors, revealing hidden social absurdity and systemic flaws, and exploring the dynamic relationship between individuals and the environment. This exhibition not only reflects the significance of sports in contemporary art and its influence on our physical and mental states, but also reveals sports as a daily practice. It delves into how sports serve as a driving force in shaping social interaction and influencing cultural identity, collectively shaping our way of life.

The exhibition "Midsummer Olympism: My Life, My Arena" responds to the spirit of the Olympics, blending elements of sports, culture, and art to immersing viewers in a vibrant realm of athletics. Set against the backdrop of global sports events, the exhibition highlights the cultural impact of sports, fostering interdisciplinary interaction and understanding across fields such as technology, nationality, economy, politics, and culture. It emphasizes the role of sports in promoting creative thinking and cultural diversity while reflecting on how sports and art intertwine, permeate, and enrich our lives.