A Diachronic Return is a vitrine exhibition and public programme centered around the film Writing the Time Lag (2014–ongoing), an experimental documentary by Taiwanese artist and director Lee Tzu Tung. Initiated in 2014, Writing the Time Lag is informed by an ethnographic approach to collaborative and participatory filmmaking, where activist voices and political narratives give form to what the artist calls a 'microcosm of Taiwan's complex identity dynamics'. Navigating indigenous grassroots activism, the film questions how one makes sense of national identity, and provides a glimpse into the colonial dynamics of a transnational public sphere. In addition to their political involvement, Tzu Tung’s approach to documentary is also informed by a self-reflexive editing approach. Since starting filming, they have continually re-edited the documentary, while incorporating the post-production process into the film footage itself. This iterative process reveals how one’s perspective changes through time, and foregrounds a multi-layered and diachronic approach to documenting the subjectively political and historically personal.

Following an afternoon screening of Tzu Tung’s film, Asymmetry invites you to join an intimate and participatory conversation with the artist. We will discuss Tzu Tung’s processes, the film’s political life and positioning today, as well as wider issues around the documentation of time. Attendees are encouraged to bring their perspectives and participate. A vitrine display of Writing the Time Lag’s iterative process will be available to view on-site at Asymmetry HQ.

This event is curated in conjunction with Rachel Be-Yun Wang’s Curatorial Research Fellowship at Chisenhale Gallery. Rachel is currently researching the documentation of time-based media within commissioning, looking to understand how—and what—we document in the active processes of commissioning and producing new artistic work, while interrogating how we produce and enact artistic labour with historicity and posterity in mind.

EVENT CONTENT AND ACCESS INFORMATION

This event includes a 75-minute screening followed by a relaxed, hour-long conversation, with a break in-between (refreshments provided). Mandarin, Amis, and English are spoken in Writing the Time Lag, which is primarily subtitled in English. The film’s contents includes depictions of nudity and mentions of sexual assault.

This event takes place on the ground floor and has step-free access at Asymmetry Art Foundation’s newly expanded venue in London Fields. Earplugs and ear guards will be available for visitors to use. Due to its roaming, multilingual subtitle text, the film is not captioned.

Please feel free to inquire with info@asymmetryart.org if you would like to learn more about the film, or discuss any accommodations or access needs. Please kindly be advised that requests should be made two weeks in advance of the event. We are committed to ensuring our events are accessible for all.