[5] If pumpkin spice is a memory, why doesn't it fade?
All the fall feels: on differences, exhibition reviews, creative boundaries
“And all at once, summer collapsed into fall.” — Oscar Wilde
The leaves are falling, changing into a million colors: it is Fall—finally a slight chill in the air. Just before I realized, I’d already ordered my pumpkin spice latte, leading me to wonder how this habit always happens.Fall is surely my favorite season but when did pumpkin spice become one of my favorite scents? When did this pumpkin spice latte thing become my seasonal habit once temperature drops slightly? Is it because I like cinnamon, or is it something else?
With the doubt being cast, I searched for that specific piece of memory as if I could decode my unknown urge to embrace pumpkin spice. The States…right, probably because of the time I lived in New York City. It was only mid-August but I already smelled the rich pumpkin spice from Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s and other supermarkets. With the pumpkin section welcoming us at the entrance, the pumpkin spice scent is so strong that I can even still smell it these days. There are many more seasonal products, like pumpkin spice milk, bread, cereal, etc. With those vibrant yet distant memories, I somehow feel like some parts of me were left there, buried with the cozy scent of fall.
It’s the scent of pumpkin spice that carries a specific memory for me. Yet to many others, there might be a whole different story behind their cognitive connection with this scent. I googled “when did pumpkin spice become popular”, as written, it was launched in the late 90s, while 2003 marked the pivotal year for its popularity, and it is the same year when Starbucks debuted its seasonal product: pumpkin spice latte.
There are of course many more ways to embrace the scent. Even the way we make or consume it is different, just as the various colors of these crisp sunburnt leaves are fading too.
This somehow resonates with my recent exhibition visits in Hong Kong and Shanghai:
FRONTIER - Inaugural Exhibition Season 3 – START Museum
When I stepped into the exhibition space, the title “Frontier” prominently displayed on the ceiling clearly conveyed the group show’s focus—an exploration of 31 artists through their diverse creative practices, highlighting the freedom and openness of art.
Extensive and diverse — my impression of the exhibition, for the selected artworks span from the 1970s to the present, each holds a reflective topic that could be further divided into. The spacious layout, complemented by a map, encourages contemplation of contemporary issues and even touches on spiritual beliefs.
In contemporary art, expression knows no bounds, allowing artists to explore diverse topics through various media and materials. The selected artistic practices in this exhibition indeed demonstrated the diverse and provocative creativity of both domestic and international artists. Among them is my favourite Korean artist Nam June Paik, a pioneer of video art, revered as the “father of video art.” His work, which involves but not limited to rearranging TV channels, revolutionized media and challenged traditional perceptions, laying the foundation for digital and multimedia art practices.
Other notable works, such as Xu Zhen’s centerpiece at the back of the hall, alongside pieces by Urs Fischer, Cai Guo-Qiang, as well as artists like Luc Tuymans, Tracey Emin, not only carving new paths in art but also challenging notions of concepts, materials, ideology, societal norms, and the liberation from the constraints of individual identity politics. These artworks collectively push the boundaries of artistic expression, inviting viewers to reconsider their understanding of art and reality.
Legends in Motion – Julien’s Auctions
Just as contemporary artists are experimenting with different media, many legends have paved the way for new possibilities by not sticking to one way only. One of the most significant examples in Hong Kong would be the legendary Hollywood and Martial Arts superstar Bruce Lee.
While Julien’s Auctions is going to have its inaugural sale in Hong Kong this weekend, they presented the lots in exhibition format. I rarely saw Bruce Lee’s works so this is a great chance to explore his story beyond the mainstream ones, such as the fact that he learned fencing at a very young age. Along with his props and costumes from his most famous films, as well as personal items all displayed in the same space. The colors of yellow, black and the arena setting (which I like very much), all pay homage to this legend of Hong Kong, telling anew the story of his rise to fame and power.
To your amazement, there are also drawings by Bruce Lee that showcase the multifaceted talents of his curious mind, who embraced various martial arts at a time when most only focused on one style, and became one of the world’s first mixed martial artists before MMA even became a sport.
He stayed in our memory and beyond, as a legend, studied by many nowadays.
Sometimes differences might not be understood by many, it needs courage and self-awareness to be different and continue to do so. Taylor Swift, who is “the queen of pop” and “the best storyteller of our time” has explained her insecurities and anxieties in life through her song “Anti-hero” — the fear of nothing, anxiety about everything, and doubting the ones she trusts the most. While this song is described by Taylor herself as “one of my favorite songs that I have ever written”, the painting from “Anti-hero” MV is also included in this auction along with some other of her tour items.
You could see how this queen has embraced her dark times and become stronger. She still sings in front of her fans in her difficult times, while also breaking records, breaking norms, and spreading important messages to her fans. I still remember she said in her documentary Miss Americana that some female artists need to remake themselves 20 times more than male artists to stay in the job.
While attending The Eras Tour this year, seeing her sing the songs from different albums somehow felt like time traveling, I’m impressed by how this woman has grown from a little girl playing guitar to standing against injustice, struggling with life privately and publicly, now blooming and become one of the most important icons people look up to.
P.S. There are many more lots on the other side of the exhibition, featuring items from stars such as Michael Jackson, and Taylor Swift, sports stars such as Michael Jordan, and K-pop group BTS.
In Harmony With The Way (Fan Chang He Dao) — ShanghART Gallery
Group exhibitions thrive on the diversity of perspectives and values, enriching the collective artistic experience. ShangART Gallery as well, their group show celebrates this diversity by showcasing the unique practices of contemporary artists including Liu Yi, Lu Yu, Xu Chaofan & Ren Qingqi, Yao Qingmei, Zhang Meng, Zhang Wenxin, and Jasphy Zheng.
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