ALONE, 2019

Part of the 5th Crosscurrents Show at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum.

Description:

Over 100 artists collaborated on the sculptural installation “ALONE,” which debuted at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Tokyo as part of the exhibition “CROSSCURRENT.” The title, rooted in the Old English meaning “ALL ONE,” reflected a shift from unity to isolation, aiming to redefine the meaning of being alone versus together and emphasizing our interconnectedness.

Participants contributed disks (1” to 36” in diameter), each representing an individual story, suspended in air as part of a larger constellation. This installation fostered multigenerational dialogue on connection, allowing viewers to engage with the collective narrative.

Additionally, over 5,700 volunteers from 29 countries participated in a global event linked to Alan Chin’s “ALONE” sculpture, mobilized through social media with just three days' notice.

Statement:

We live in a materialistic and structured society filled with order and rules. Humanity is challenged to question the boundaries we share as mankind. Mankind often forgets to be “kind.” The complex ecosystems and microcosms within our very planet are immense and seemingly infinite. From the ever-expanding universe of outer space to our infinite inner expansion within, we continue to discover and uncover new layers within our landscape.

Instant, digital, social media, and artificial intelligence allow us to connect like we never have before, though we can still feel disconnected and alone. The need for codependency and biodiversity are becoming more a part of the discussion for our future. Could it be that we are moving from the age of technology approaching the age of connection? How can we transform into more of a peaceful collective geographical relationship with one another?  How can we re-imagine how life is organized on earth? How do we gift the wisdom that will empower the future?

Every breakdown creates opportunity for a breakthrough. We are mark makers, carbon or otherwise. Our future is at a critical state in need of individual value and universal access. From the air we breathe to the food we eat we must remember to investigate the natural order of things evolving from a political geography dividing the world to functional geography connecting us.  We are the food we eat. Only together we stand the chance to do something meaningful, building a better planet for all. We are in a global revolution, taking a quantum leap of mobility to a global network civilization. We must build more pathways to allow more connection and quality exchange. Connectivity is the new reality. Connectivity is opportunity. Connectivity is destiny. 

Ask to Artists:

I invite you to participate and collaborate in a multifaceted sculptural installation that will first take place in the Metropolitan Museum Art in Tokyo as part of the show, “CROSSCURENT.” The sculpture is titled “ALONE” which comes from the Old English root “ALL ONE” meaning together oneness in the whole, until time and translation shifted its meaning to being by one self.  

I would like to use this opportunity to shift the dialogue about what it means to be alone and the connection of what it means to be together. The sculpture is a constellation of artist coming together with the idea derived from “ it takes a village to raise a child” and “we are on the planet together.” Though we may have social boundaries that seemingly separate us from one another, we are on this planet together.

The spontaneity of chance and the movement throughout the space will allow the work to be an access point, connecting the dots of our time by allowing the possibility of infinite angular focal points, movement, and chance to shift the vocabulary of connection. This sculpture will create a safe space for the multigenerational discussion of connection.

I am asking loved ones, friends, family and artist whom I met to participate.

The first 100 to say yes will be included in the installation in Tokyo. I am asking for the artist to contribute one disk with a diameter ranging from 1” to 36”, if you are not going to make it to Tokyo the diameter of the disk must be 24” or less, and delivered to me by January 11th unless discussed otherwise. The disk is a ½’’ thick max unless you talked to me about a specific material. *Please let me know if you will be coming to Tokyo as there are other logistics to discuss.

Each disk represents an individual story as a starting point as part of a constellation of connection and pulse with in a physical space. The disk must be a circle and able to be suspended in air, it must be flat. Each disk will represent an artist’s individual story. The disk will be a part of the larger sculpture installation. If you agree to participate in this experience you are agreeing to gift your work to this sculpture as a form of collaboration with the intention of this sculpture to be gifted to the viewer to experience as a whole work of art together. Each artist is allowed the opportunity to write a brief statement in 300 words or less, that will be included in a catalogue/book of the sculpture and it’s participants. Each artist asked has been selected to participate as an individual.

This is a call to the artist, humanity, connection, and love.It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Human Circles, 2019