Measuring Unit
量度單位
25/8/2023 – 24/9/2023
Soft & Sour 酸軟
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Say, if there are infinite possibilities for image making results, we shall revisit the fundamental feature that grounds the medium.
"Measuring Unit" is a test bypassing judgement on any form of photography. It fixates on the materiality of the medium, and asserts a way of documentation that is entirely objective. In this experiment, imaging is not primary; instead, film is qualified as a measuring unit and a measuring tool applied onto the exhibition space. It abides an absolute standard: the height of a 16 mm film is 7.49 mm, and no negotiation is to be made when it serves as a measuring unit.
As photography is practiced with the intention to create records, the technique and vision of the photographer breath into the image produced. Yet, this utilisation of film as a scale of measurement creates an objective documenting method. Such prerequisite puts forth only the measured body that is quantified.
Image itself is only a vessel for conversion in Measuring Unit. The thickness of each photo overrides the visual it represents, and stacks of photos are used as standards to measure the dimensions of the space. The measured subject thus regains the judging gaze; and the same logic applies onto the content of moving image. The physical length of film is pegged with the seconds of images it shows, determining the duration to film the environment as its diameter is taken under conversion. Time and space become interconnected via the content of the film, drawing relevance between the two.
The implications between photography and human relationships are not left at a complete halt since Be Right Back to Where You've Left (2020). Instead of juxtaposing the emotional weight that is equal among the photographer and the photographed, Measuring Unit unifies all relationships under one classification. An almost mechanical way aligns everyone with the identity of a visitor.
Image barely exists in this space (or holds no necessity in being seen), and photography only functions to convert data.《量度單位》是一場測試，跳過對形式的判斷，只針對攝影的物質性去提出一種完全客觀的紀錄方式。比起其成象的功能，底片在這個實驗中被介定為一個新的量度單位，再製成一件量度工具，加以應用於展覽空間。16米釐的底片高度為7.49毫米，規格如此，用作量度單位背後的標準也不留任何變動餘地。
攝影以紀錄為目的，生成的影像當中攙雜攝影者的技巧與觸覺，但在每幀底片作為刻度的前提下，紀錄的方式變得全然客觀，只有量化的主體被框畫出。
成象在《量度單位》只是換算過程的載體。相片的厚度取代影像，一沓沓相片被用作準則去量化空間的尺寸，審視的目光重投被量度的事物本身；動態影像的內容亦可循同一邏輯執行。底片的長度與其可顯像的秒數掛鈎，再換算成空間的周長，決定紀錄環境的時長。時間與空間透過拍攝的內容互相串連，也意味了兩者的可比性。
《量度單位》是一場測試，跳過對形式的判斷，只針對攝影的物質性去提出一種完全客觀的紀錄方式。比起其成象的功能，底片在這個實驗中被介定為一個新的量度單位，再製成一件量度工具，加以應用於展覽空間。16米釐的底片高度為7.49毫米，規格如此，用作量度單位背後的標準也不留任何變動餘地。
攝影以紀錄為目的，生成的影像當中攙雜攝影者的技巧與觸覺，但在每幀底片作為刻度的前提下，紀錄的方式變得全然客觀，只有量化的主體被框畫出。
成象在《量度單位》只是換算過程的載體。相片的厚度取代影像，一沓沓相片被用作準則去量化空間的尺寸，審視的目光重投被量度的事物本身；動態影像的內容亦可循同一邏輯執行。底片的長度與其可顯像的秒數掛鈎，再換算成空間的周長，決定紀錄環境的時長。時間與空間透過拍攝的內容互相串連，也意味了兩者的可比性。
圖像在這個空間中近乎不存在（或沒有觀看的必要），攝影剩下轉化數據這一功能。Text written by Karen Wong
