In the "Suwen: Treatise on the Correspondence of Yin and Yang", it states:
"Yin and Yang are the principles of heaven and earth, the framework of all things, the parents of transformation, the origin of life and death, and the abode of the divine. In treating illness, one must seek its root cause. Thus, the accumulation of Yang forms heaven, and the accumulation of Yin forms earth. Yin is tranquil, Yang is active; Yang generates, Yin nurtures; Yang governs death, Yin governs preservation; Yang transforms into Qi, Yin consolidates into form."
In just a few lines, this passage succinctly encapsulates the ancient Chinese understanding of time and space, both fundamentally rooted in the philosophy of Yin and Yang. Within the geographical scope of China, the North Star remains visible year-round, allowing ancient Chinese to determine their position using its fixed point in the sky. For temporal measurements, they observed the Big Dipper, using its movements to discern the transitions of spring, summer, autumn, and winter.
According to Einstein's theory of special relativity, the simultaneity of two events occurring at different locations in space does not have an absolute meaning. We cannot definitively determine whether they occur simultaneously. If two events are simultaneous in one reference frame, they will not be simultaneous in another reference frame moving at a constant velocity relative to the original frame.
The video work "2024" was created in August 2023 at 11:35 PM, with a duration of 6 minutes and 52 seconds, at coordinates 112°30'E longitude and 38°07'N latitude. This piece is a relatively static experimental video. The background of the video features a nighttime construction site. On the left side of the frame, a dynamic construction scene unfolds, while on the right side stands a completed, static building. Due to the distance and slow speed, the movement of the cranes appears visually stationary, though they are in motion. Subtle variations in the intensity of the lighting on the construction gate further enhance the dynamic stillness of the scene. The composition integrates strong contrasts while unifying time and space, highlighting both distinctions and commonalities.
For a long segment at the beginning of the piece, the content merges subtly within the relatively static time and space, evoking feelings of tension, anticipation, fear, and excitement. The viewer anticipates the frame to either abruptly halt or experience an unexpected intrusion. This tension culminates at 4 minutes and 20 seconds, when a bicycle swiftly passes through the frame, momentarily disrupting the previous stillness. This moment can be likened to the sudden breaking of a silver vase, spilling forth water as iron cavalry charges in with the clashing sound of swords and spears. Finally, as the piece concludes, it reflects the poetic sentiment: "As the tune ends, the plectrum strikes the heart of the strings, and the sun cracks the silk. Eastern and western boats remain silent, while the autumn moon shines white in the river's heart."
Through the interplay of time and space, natural laws remain constant, yet human relationships, characters, individuals, histories, and emotions undergo rapid transformations, even amidst relative stillness. Phrases such as "innumerable high-rises spring up," "the human heart is not as it once was," and "today is different from the past" capture this inherent contradiction. However, according to Marxist philosophy, contradictions form the unity of all existence. By seeking harmony within these contradictions, one can avoid being left behind by the times. In an ever-changing society, driven by the transformations of time and space, more attention and care should be extended to those who struggle to keep pace with rapid developments.
