In TSANG Kin-Wah: T REE O GO D EVIL, the complex tapestry of evil intertwines the notions of the Tree of Knowledge from diverse religious traditions. It evokes the Garden of Eden and the site of Golgotha, inviting contemplation on the brutality inherent in both divine and human actions, particularly during tumultuous historical moments. The exhibition features a central column and ceiling adorned with text that mimics a tree, while a sloped platform supports screens displaying stark black-and-white footage of actual human brutality, including the horrific acts committed by groups such as ISIS. These brutalities serve as visceral reminders of humanity’s darkest impulses while the notorious book burnings of the regimes such as Nazi, highlight the extreme measures taken to suppress dissent and control knowledge.
“Where they burn books, they will also ultimately burn people.” Heinrich Heine’s warning serve as a stark reminder of the oppression faced in totalitarian states, where intellectual freedom is sacrificed for ideological conformity. Unaccepted ideas and thoughts, dissenters and entire civilizations are often annihilated or wiped out. The immersive work invites audiences to confront their own shadows, revealing the delicate balance between salvation and condemnation, and the inherent struggle within the human condition—a poignant reflection on the intertwining fates of humanity and divinity.
