Artist Hsin-Yi Huang Presents Collective at the Portland Building January 18 – February 11, 2011

Each of artist Hsin-Yi Huang’s cocoon-like forms is individually hand thrown, fired twice and then sand blasted. Her installation at the Portland Building will include a grid composed of hundreds of the exquisitely made objects.

Posted:

1/5/11

Project Description: Collective, a project by Portland ceramicist Hsin-Yi Huang, was conceived as a means to explore how individuals blend conformity and individuality to function in an interconnected and interdependent society. The artist poetically illustrates how we are connected with one another through a presentation of hundreds of ceramic sphere forms that fill the walls of the space in a grid-like pattern.

"This installation portrays my view of our society by showing how individuals exist and connect to each other. Each individual is represented by a sphere form. The hollowness of this form creates a separation of interior and exterior spaces, it allows privacy within the walls of each individual. I consider this separation of the inside from the outside to be the very foundation that establishes one's sense of self.

All 476 spheres are arranged in a grid-like framework with equal distance between them. The seemingly rigid pattern can be interpreted as rules that provide order to the structure. To be part of this collective, every sphere needs to abide by certain rules.”

Each of Huang’s spheres is formed by hand using an elaborate process that involves multiple firings, flame marking and sand blasting. Despite their similarity, no two pieces are the same. The artist sees a direct parallel in society—as our likeness binds us together, it is the uniqueness of each individual that gives character to the group.

“The differences contributed by each individual are as essential as its similarities. To me, the key to a symmetrical and stable overall picture is a balance between conformity and individuality.”

Viewing Hours & Location: 7 am to 6 pm, Monday – Friday. The Portland Building is located at 1120 SW 5th Avenue in downtown Portland. For more information on the Portland Building Installation Series including images, proposals and statements of all the installations featured since 1994, go to www.racc.org/installationspace.