“the beads on a bead curtain in his house to keep track of what he learned”
- Jishi Zhu (Memory Beads), Meng (2003, 2004).
The beaded curtain is an element familiar to many. That simple demarcation of space acts as a veil to the spaces before it. A screen shrouding the privacy of its inhabitants until for a brief moment when a person passes through does it reveal glimpses of what lies beyond its threshold. In its most basic form, it comes as rows of threaded beads dangling from above. By changing the beads and their material, the curtain takes on a different materiality. Some curtains sparkle in the sun as it moves, while some might seem more opaque-like until a gust of wind or movement reveals its true nature; a curtain and nothing more. Despite its simple function, the beaded curtain evokes a child-like wonder among the young and old. One may recall the rustling of a willow tree or conjure up an image of a shadow puppet show. It is these ephemeral qualities that leave an imprint on a person’s memory of a home or a shophouse they had once lived in.
‘Memory Veil’ reinserts this ornamental element as the ‘veil’ of Pavilion’s entrance. Strands of red strings hung from a structure of a geometric tiger pattern form the gateway that invites the public to come through. The five red ‘curtain’ creates an illusion of traditional Chinese arches that subtly moves with the wind, with views that shift as one moves through the space. ‘Memory Veil’ recollects familiar memories of our past and embraces visitors into a prosperous new year ahead.
“the beads on a bead curtain in his house to keep track of what he learned”
- Jishi Zhu (Memory Beads), Meng (2003, 2004).
The beaded curtain is an element familiar to many. That simple demarcation of space acts as a veil to the spaces before it. A screen shrouding the privacy of its inhabitants until for a brief moment when a person passes through does it reveal glimpses of what lies beyond its threshold. In its most basic form, it comes as rows of threaded beads dangling from above. By changing the beads and their material, the curtain takes on a different materiality. Some curtains sparkle in the sun as it moves, while some might seem more opaque-like until a gust of wind or movement reveals its true nature; a curtain and nothing more. Despite its simple function, the beaded curtain evokes a child-like wonder among the young and old. One may recall the rustling of a willow tree or conjure up an image of a shadow puppet show. It is these ephemeral qualities that leave an imprint on a person’s memory of a home or a shophouse they had once lived in.
‘Memory Veil’ reinserts this ornamental element as the ‘veil’ of Pavilion’s entrance. 10,000 strands of red string beads hung from a structure of a geometric tiger pattern form the gateway that invites the public to come through. The five red ‘curtain’ creates an illusion of traditional Chinese arches that subtly moves with the wind, with views that shift as one moves through the space. ‘Memory Veil’ recollects familiar memories of our past and embraces visitors into a prosperous new year ahead.
Memory Veil (2022)
Location: Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Exhibition period: January 2022 - February 2022
Project type: Temporary Public Art Installation