Play.Ghost.Play.God (PGPG) by Choy Ka Fai

Choy Ka Fai’s latest 2020 installation, Play.Ghost.Play.God (装神弄鬼娛樂) appeals to those who desire to learn more about Taiwanese digital and religious culture. I felt that this installation really encompassed the themes of Networked Bodies as it was able to convey the ways in which the rise in popularity among the YouTube and Internet celebrities are akin to spiritual and religious mediums. This installation intended for nominal participation and contextual interactivity reflects the social climate of Taiwanese culture. By combining both completely different groups of people in the same medium, we are left to wonder about extent of each’s transition to another.

The YouTube Religion

Such a manifestation is a direct reflection on technology’s impact on the world today, particularly, the way in which culture shifts towards one that is interconnected online. As internet personalities become more personable and relatable than traditional stars, it also reflects the increasing disconnectedness and loneliness amongst people in our daily lives. People desire less to revere A list celebrities. Instead, they look towards ordinary people who can keep them company.

There is a considerable amount of connection between Internet celebrities and spiritual mediums. However, the one that stands out to me the most is how believers remain faithful to the representation of these figures. As such, they are more interested in the idea of these figures than their real selves.

Three of the installations reflects the rise of three different types of video sensations: The makeup artist, the Gamer and the Internet musician Personality. These visuals on the video installations are focused directly on the YouTubers. Specifically, the Gamer is seen to take up a considerable amount of the screen. Therefore, the focus of the videos are not about the content being shared but they way they are being shared. This also reflects the value of people’s personalities, where YouTubers commodify/ showcasing their own identities as a service rather providing a product.

The fact that these YouTube personalities have such intimate connections with their viewers even when they might never meet these spirit-tubers further strengthens the semblance of these Youtubers with spiritual mediums.

Spirituality and Technology

A lot about keeping the longevity of spirituality and religion lies in rituals and community. With the rise in technology, a lot of such rituals are seen to be altered for convenience and accessibility. For example, in Taiwan, tomb sweeping events are being digitized.

However, this introduces a new dilemma of whether such shortcuts in rituals are less significant or sincere than more traditional rituals and practices. As technology dips its toes into spirituality, I felt that this was the question that is being posed to the audience. I felt that the installation not only reflected the state of technology in the times today (commentary of whether we have the space for spirituality in the digital age) but also poses the question of the internet’s possibility for the future.

The duality of whether it is spiritual-mediums turning into YouTubers or if Youtubers are turning into spiritual-mediums reflects the vastness of how the installation could be interpreted.

Cosmic Wander by Choy Ka Fai

CosmicWander: Expedition by Choy Ka Fai

The CosmicWander by Choy Ka Fai explores dimensions that are unseeable as they can only be experienced spiritually.

The installations gives the audience an all rounded experience with multiple panels and other sensory experiences such as smoke when the processions begin and when smoke fill the screen in during the rituals by Shamans from around the globe.

CosmicWander is an eye opening experience as it showcases shamans from different parts of the world, therefore reflecting significant cultural and spiritual significance to these regions. Each region has a significant visual aesthetic to their rituals.

Such a direct view of into the world of shamans was really shocking to me. Yet, I felt that I could not stop watching as it was really intriguing.

I particularly enjoyed the CosmicWander: Transcendance interview of Mdm Koo as she discussed a Taoist ritual that is rarely filmed and seen even by Taoists and Hindus. Such filming of a sacred ritual makes me wonder whether if they were even meant to be filmed and seen by those who were not part of it in when it was perform.

Therefore, I think that this ties in with how our ability to record a moment in time with cameras and changes or diminishes what was being performed.

Part of the allure of such religious and spiritual figures is people’s reverence to the idea of these figures. Therefore, even the image of such figures in the context of a dance routine in the Ge Tai of Virtual Gods felt odd to me, and the image of Ne Zha dancing to EDM deviated the focus of message less convincing and thus less significant.

Overall, I left both exhibitions with a renewed understanding and felt that it was an interesting and eye opening experience.