Infinite Carriers of Life – New Vessel Art Exhibition This exhibition centers on the concept of vessels in relation to life, exploring the significance that vessels hold in human social activity and, within contemporary art discourse, how the artistic notion of “new vessels” can be defined. In Daoist philosophy, the empty space within a vessel represents wu (nothingness), and it is this nothingness that gives the vessel its value. Chapter 11 of the Tao Te Ching states: “Thirty spokes converge at a single hub; it is the empty space that gives the wheel its use. Clay is shaped into a vessel; it is the empty space that gives the vessel its use.” Whether it is the hub of a wheel or a container for holding objects, it is the presence of emptiness that allows the vessel to fulfill its purpose. In Daoist thought, wu also represents the source of all things; everything in the world arises from nothingness. The empty space inside a container can be seen as a generative mother, holding the potential for all things. All things exist within a vast container, collectively forming a greater whole. Within this collective, countless individual entities also exist, each an independent being. Each of these independent existences can be infinitely divided into different qualities such as emotions, memories, personality traits, and so on. These smallest elements constitute the building blocks of artistic value. The infinity within a vessel mirrors the foundational wu of all things, and within this nothingness exists the infinite essence of life—the countless independent existences of “self.” Each “self” serves as the center of its own existence, developing into a unique world of its own—a singular, irreplaceable manifestation of the “infinity of life.” For this exhibition, eleven artists from Taiwan and abroad have been invited. Through the connections and inspirations found in their works, the exhibition seeks to awaken a deeper understanding and reflection on life. Whether through sculpture forms or paintings, the artists draw from the existing concept of vessels and containers to express and interpret life. These extensions and presentations reflect the exhibition’s exploration of the “new vessels” in contemporary art. Special thanks to TICO INC. for their exclusive sponsorship.