Art Office

With the audiovisual research Doppelgänger Muxingye Chen explores how we subconsciously transfer our experiences in the digital world to the physical world. In doing so, he also looks at how online platforms are responsible for our virtual counterparts, who have marginalized the vast majority of our physical identities. This interest arose during the corona pandemic, when Chen was confronted with how social networking and working from home have radically changed the way we meet and connect. For this research, Chen uses sound recordings from his apartment in Rotterdam, from the streets of his birthplace Chengu and from the virtual world in which he can be found every day. Together, this constant flow of data forms a network that connects the physical and virtual worlds and adapts to each other.

Doppelgänger can be seen from 8 December to 22 January at the Neck of the Woods gallery at 157 Heer Bokelweg in the Katshoek building. On January 19 and 20, Chen presents a performance together with his sound research group consisting of Jia Xia, Matteo Mazzu and Aurel Violas.

As a Chinese artist living in Rotterdam, Chen is aware that his identity and social behavior are influenced by the Western context, and at the same time that digital experiences minimize his physical identity and the associated cultural and personal background. He wonders how physical persons with (multi)cultural backgrounds can be better represented on the decentralized internet.

Exhibition Neck of the Woods
The Zomerhof-Pompenburg area is on the eve of major changes. Rotterdam Reconstruction Platform, Neck of the Woods gallery, ZOHO makers, residents of the Agniesebuurt, Provenierswijk and Pompenburg decided to portray this special district. This exhibition tells the story and the future of this creative reconstruction in different ways Hotspot. There are informative, richly illustrated thematic and historical panels. A series of floor plans provides insight into the developments over the years. A journey of discovery into art in the neighborhood was made by Marlies Lageweg. Artists Georg Bohle, Jojanneke van den Bosch, Muxingye Chen, Emma Kroos, Shonali Shetty and Paul Vinken give their interpretation of the concept of architecture in various works of art. Students from Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences will present their ideas for a transformation of the Katshoek building in mid-December.

Performance times
Thursday, January 19 at 19:00 PM and 21:00 PM
Friday, January 20 at 19:00 PM

Opening hours Neck of the Woods
Thursday 15:00 PM – 19:00 PM, Friday and Saturday 13:00 PM – 17:00 PM

Doppelganger is partly realized thanks to a contribution from the scheme Development and Research Grants (R&D)† With this contribution, CBK Rotterdam gives Rotterdam visual artists the opportunity to further develop their practice and increase their visibility.