Embracing Uncertainty in Exhibition Design: A Paradigm Shift to Challenge Digital Homogenization — The Exhibition Design of Lu Hong’s Art Archives: 1978-2022

Yan, Yiqing and Zhou, Zhenpeng (2024) Embracing Uncertainty in Exhibition Design: A Paradigm Shift to Challenge Digital Homogenization — The Exhibition Design of Lu Hong’s Art Archives: 1978-2022. In: P/References of Design. Cumulus conference proceedings series, 1 . Cumulus Association, Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design Budapest, Budapest, pp. 1445-1455. ISBN 978-952-7549-03-5

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Abstract

In the rapidly evolving digital landscape, the digitization of exhibitions has led to a pervasive homogenization of diverse displays. Traditional exhibitions, meticulously planned to present information, often prioritize eliminating randomness and uncertainty, resulting in standardized layouts and silk-screen prints. Mechanized and orderly process, while ensuring the seamless execution of events, have unintentionally eliminated the inherent uncertainty that exhibitions, as artistic expressions, should embody. This case study involving a Chinese contemporary art critic's archival exhibition adds a practical dimension to the theoretical exploration, reimagines the contemporary exhibition scene by addressing these issues and highlights the pivotal role of uncertainty in fostering diversity and creativity. Examining common forms of expression in contemporary art namely "writing", "posting", and "found objects" the paper draws parallels with the exhibition design process. "Writing" and "posting" correspond to printing and hanging, representing subjective and random acts influenced by the curatorial subject, ultimately shaping the final appearance of the exhibit. The use of "found objects" as exhibition props not only saves time and costs but also introduces an element of unpredictability. Uncertainty, in this context, becomes a catalyst for exploration and experimentation. Designers are encouraged to embrace the unknown, challenging conventional design paradigms, questioning established norms, and cultivating a mindset that values the process as much as the outcome. This departure from cookie-cutter exhibitions allows each design to become a unique journey reflecting the distinct identity of the content it showcases.

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