Tea Ceremonies with Lam Wong
In conjunction with the exhibition, In the Present Moment: Buddhism, Contemporary Art, and Social Practice, please join exhibiting artist Lam Wong who will be hosting a series of tea ceremonies open to the public for registration.
Lam Wong’s installation, 'MA No.1 – The Space Between Objects (Mu/Wu)' (2019-ongoing) modernizes and reframes the environment of a traditional Japanese tea house as a floor sculpture incorporating various East Asian and Western elements. The installation contains many Buddhist symbols and references, which the artist describes as encompassing a “total knowledge”, suggesting how East Asian tea cultures are deeply connected to Buddhist thought. The installation is activated as socially engaged art practice (social practice) by the ritual of tea, hosted by the artist. In this way, the artist facilitates a profound exchange between strangers, effecting a moment of stillness – a glimpse of Empty Awareness.
Tea ceremonies hosted by the artist will take place on Friday, September 15 at 2:30pm; 3:30pm; and 4:30pm; and on Saturday, September 16 at 1pm; 2pm; 3pm; and 4pm at Walter Phillips Gallery. The events are each approximately a half hour, with two participants per session. Pre-registration is required.
In the Present Moment: Buddhism, Contemporary Art, and Social Practice is guest curated by Haema Sivanesan, Director, Leighton Studios and Program Partnerships. This exhibition draws on research undertaken during her tenure as Curator, Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, generously supported by funding from The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation, Hong Kong and Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, New York.
The exhibition at Walter Phillips Gallery is made possible through the generous support of the Canada Council for the Arts, Alberta Foundation for the Arts, Government of Canada and Government of Alberta.
Event Overview
- September 16, 2023
- Tea Ceremony Events: 1:00pm; 2:00pm; 3:00pm; and 4:00pm.
- Walter Phillips Gallery
- Free, pre-registration required