Ning
Deep Dream Superstructure
[About the Collabatration]This collaborative sculpture was designed and built by Caitlind Brown & Wayne Garrett in the Illingworth Kerr Gallery at Alberta University of the Arts, curated by Tak Pham.
The foundation of the sculpture is a double bed—an open invitation to sit, lie down, read, draw, daydream, or take a catnap. It serves as a locus for deep dreaming, allowing the artwork to continually shift and transform throughout the exhibition. Each week, a rotating group of student and alumni artists reimagines some aspect of the installation through nap-inspired, collaborative interventions that alter and evolve the sculpture over time.
[About the Performance]
Performance by Phoenix Ning and Yilu Xing
3:30 mins video
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a basket of dirty bedding
We started with a simple act: changing the bedding in the gallery. This bed invites visitors to lie down, rest, or reflect, and over time we noticed it could become worn or dirty. Replacing the sheets became a way for us to think about care — care for the space, care for others, and care in everyday life. Through the repeated, almost ritualistic act of changing the bedding, we explored the labour involved in maintaining both private and shared spaces, the comfort and hygiene it provides, and the quiet responsibility we carry toward those who interact with it. At the same time, we reflected on how these small, everyday gestures carry meaning, shaping how people experience and connect with spaces and one another.
Materials: performance, video documentation, bedding