(Yi Jing & Shi Jing) by Chun Yu
Project Summary
“Book of Changes & Book of Poems: Yi Jing & Shi Jing” are two art installations/environmental sculptures that take their names from two of the oldest Chinese classics. Together, they bridge the past and present, the East and West, nature and humanity, as well as hearts and the cosmos.
Standing side by side beneath a majestic oak tree, resonating with one another through shared energy, forms, and cultural, historical, and symbolic significance, the installations transform the site into an idyllic sanctuary. In addition, Book of Changes is an interactive piece.
The materials used in these sculptures are sourced solely from the Djerassi ground without additional processing.
As an artist, delving deep into the roots of my own culture and present its universal wisdom on the Djerassi ground has been a profound journey of healing and restoration. Through my work, I hope to offer the same sense of connectedness to the viewers, wherever they might be from.
Installation I: An interactive installation
Book of Changes: Yi Jing (I Ching) 易經
The installation showcases the ancient Yi Jing (I Ching 易經) chart with the Eight Trigrams (Bagua) and the Taiji (Taichi 太極) symbol. The Yi Jing, also known as the I Ching, is one of the oldest and most important Chinese classics, translated as the “Book of Changes” or the “Classic of Changes.” It originated as a divination manual in the Western Zhou period (1000–750 BC) and is still widely studied and used today in China and around the world.
The Eight Trigrams, representing Heaven, Earth, Water, Fire, Wind, Thunder, Mountain, and Lake, are arranged in an opposing manner, forming an octagonal configuration. The Taichi symbol, symbolizing the harmony and interplay of nature’s unity and duality, traces its roots back to ancient China prior to the 3rd century BCE.
For my installation, I have repurposed salvaged wood blocks from Dr. Carl Djerassi’s old house to create the layout of the Eight Trigrams. The central Taiji symbol is crafted using natural materials discovered on the Djerassi grounds, including dried moss, redwood cones, and pine cones.
The interactive component: Extra wood blocks are provided nearby, allowing viewers to construct their own trigrams intuitively based on their past, present, and future. Information and meanings regarding the trigrams can be found online, or alternatively, I can offer an informational sheet at the installation site. They can explore the significance of the trigrams they create.
The installation is designed to be easily assembled and disassembled, lending itself to both temporary and long-term exhibitions. The process of dismantling or reassembling the installation serves as a metaphorical reflection of the theme of change.
Location: Positioned beneath the large oak tree (with the bead necklace), next to the woodyard.
Book of Changes: 170 inches (14.2 feet/4.32 meters) in diameter for the entire piece. 56 inches (4.7 feet/1.42 meters) in diameter for the middle Taiji symbol.
Installation II:
Book of Poems: Shi Jing 詩經
The installation comprises a half circle arrangement of ten birch tree sections with a centerpiece in the middle. These sections exhibit both linier and intricate patterns of small black holes, the handiwork of woodpeckers, on the white tree bark, resembling words and symbols written in black upon white pages. To me, they embody nature’s own poetry.
The oldest book of poetry in China is called Shi Jing詩經, which can be translated as the Classic of Poetry, Book of Poems, Book of Songs, or Book of Odes. The woodpecker’s poems and songs on the tree are as or more ancient than human poetry itself.
The wood sections used for the installation are from a tree recently cut down from the land outside of Pamela Djerassi’s house. They measure approximately 14-16 inches in height and 9-11 inches in diameter. I discovered them in a pile of mixed wood in the wood yard while filming a chipmunk standing on one piece.
When a tree section is placed upright, the lines on its bark resemble Western text, following a left-to-right orientation. However, when a tree section is positioned horizontally, the lines take on the appearance of traditional Chinese script, written from top to bottom and right to left.
For future development of this project, individual poems can be composed specifically for each tree section. Furthermore, excerpts from the Book of Poems can be selected and inscribed onto the surfaces of these cross sections, amplifying the artistic expression of the installation.
Location: Positioned beneath the large oak tree (with the bead necklace), next to the woodyard.
Book of Poems: 80 inches (6.67 feet/2.03 meters) in diameter for the half circle installation.
Tree sections in 14-16 inches (1.1-1.2 feet/0.36-0.41 meter) in height and 9-11 inches (0.23-0.28 meter) in diameter.
The Two Installations Together as One
The two installations stand side by side, nestled beneath the majestic oak tree, resonating with one another through their shared energy, forms, and cultural, historical, and symbolic significances.
Their collective presence transforms the site into an idyllic sanctuary, perfect for contemplation and introspection amidst the wonders of nature, life, and art.
Even if their original shapes changes in time, I can always return to reconstruct them, ensuring their enduring form and meaning.
