Remote Rest
Remote Rest is a cross-temporal art experiment inspired by the artist's remote interactions with a cat from their hometown in China. The artist attempts to synchronize with the cat's natural rhythms through real-time data and technological connections, yet inevitably experiences a physical and psychological divide. This project explores new relationships between humans and animals, humans and technology, and humans and nature, contrasting the cat's "living in the moment" with the cultural anxiety of "rest shame" in modern life. The project aims to redefine the philosophical value of rest. Through this practice, the artist reflects on the tension between distant relationships and technological connection, imbuing remote interaction with philosophical and social significance and offering a poetic and profound expression of "slow living."
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Key Questions
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How can humans find the possibility of natural rest by observing the rhythms of a cat's behaviour?
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Does technological intervention help or hinder the connection between humans and nature?
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Can remote interaction across distances create a new form of intimacy?
Practice Logic
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Cat's Behavior Record & Human Synchronization: The cat wears a smart collar that records deep sleep, light sleep, and activity data in real-time and transmits it to the artist. When the cat enters a still state (such as deep sleep), the artist begins meditation, attempting to synchronize with the cat's rhythm.
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Reflections During Meditation & Remote Interaction: During meditation, the artist reflects on modern human resistance to and acceptance of "rest" through physical sensations and emotional notes. Simultaneously, the data from the collar is transmitted to the artist's device, and the cat's behaviour is visualized on screen or through projection, creating a sense of remote interaction.
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Post-Meditation Visualization & Documentation: The artist generates data visualizations (such as a focus time curve) and emotional notes after meditation. The entire process is documented on video, offering the audience insight into the artist's reflections and feelings.
Significance of Remote Interaction
The practice becomes remote since the cat remains in China, adding more philosophical and societal depth to the project. Remote interaction symbolizes the tension between long-distance relationships and technological connections, a shared experience in modern life. The artist tries to sync with the cat's rhythm through data yet experiences an unavoidable physical and psychological divide.
While the cat is naturally "living in the moment," humans require technological guidance and willpower to "stop." The project explores modern society's "rest shame" and how we can relearn the philosophy of rest from animals.
This project aims to foster a deeper understanding of rest, technology, and the evolving relationships between humans, animals, and nature.
