In their first joint exhibition, Every Place is Also Another, Mar Ramón Soriano and Paul Mok engage in a compelling exploration of the relationship between manmade and natural materials within the Yi gallery space. The exhibition celebrates the ordinary, featuring concrete, conduits, plants, clay, and canvas that respond to and resist the force of gravity.
Soriano’s sculptures feature stacked modules, creating vertical structures that evoke physical tension. Ropes are used to connect and support the elements. Ceramics symbolize the fragility of the human body, embodying emptiness, form, and volume. The interplay between soft and hard materials aims to establish a connection between the viewers and their own physical presence.
Paul Mok’s artworks explore common building elements, such as electrical conduits and outlets. The centerpiece of his installation, Flip (2020-2023), is a single light switch that commands attention. Surrounding the switch is an intricate landscape crafted from poured concrete, wooden bases, and miniature clay figures. Mok’s use of concrete is influenced by his visit to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial, where the resilience of nature amidst ruins left a lasting impression.
You Are Living Someone Else’s Dream (2023) by Mok revolves around a long “table” resembling a broken concrete slab. Paper fragments scattered on the table offer glimpses into the artist’s contemplation, representing the search for meaning within personal circumstances.
The installation incorporates various objects, including industrial building materials, childhood photographs, handmade clay sculptures, and living plants. It creates an immersive environment where remnants of humanity coexist with decaying infrastructure, highlighting the tension between individual identity and societal expectations.
Every Place is Also Another presents a convergence of artistic visions as Mar Ramón Soriano and Paul Mok explore the interplay of materials, forms, and narratives. The exhibition transforms the gallery space into a realm where gravity, connections, and everyday objects intertwine. Visitors are invited to reflect on their own bodies, experiences, and the intricate relationships that shape our existence.