Research On Hybrid Liminal Space

This thesis selects Cities on the Move,a famous large-scale touring exhibition curated by independent curators Hou Hanru and Hans Ulrich Obrist,as the research object.As the first joint of the Asian art and architecture in the west to show exhibition,“city” in the movement focused on the city in the 1990 s and Asia in the context of globalization of economic,cultural and social changes,shows the contemporary Asian cities incredibly dynamic architecture and art scene.The exhibition opened at the Separatist Art Museum in Vienna in 1997 and has since traveled to France,New York,Denmark,London,Thailand,Bangkok and Helsinki.The exhibition features more than 100 artists and architects unknown in Europe and America,but well known in Asia.The scale of the exhibition is unprecedented.In the first part of this paper,on the basis of the social context of the exhibition,the two curators’ theoretical perspective of “opposing the homogenization of globalization”and the theoretical standpoint of“connection”and“substitution”to explore in depth,so as to sort out the discussion on the issue of mixed identity in the Cities on the Move.The second part of this paper studies the exhibition narrative of Cities on the Move based on Homi Bhabha’s Post-colonial theory.Using art and architecture as the carrier,the exhibition explores the two narrative modes of “national identity appeal” and“ post-colonial discourse ” in the process of Asian cities,and then proposes the coexistence of different“emerging urbanism”to resist the homogenization of cities.In summary,the exhibition narrative of Cities on the Move presents a state of hybridity that is closely related to the cultural dynamism and diversity of Asian cities in the 1990 s.The third part of this paper discusses the exhibition function of Cities on the move from the exhibition mode,exhibition space and tour exhibition mode.First of all,the innovation points of the exhibition —“overall design”,“self-organization mode”and“interdisciplinary dialogue”,break through the traditional top-down curatorial mode,and at the same time create a temporary and accidental viewing perspective,so as to give visitors a staggered experience in the exhibition space.The interdisciplinary dialogue in the exhibition space,the open perspective and the forced viewing in the public space enhance the cultural diversity and cultural translation presented by the exhibition.Later,the touring mode of the exhibition —“mobile experimental field”is a break through of the traditional packaged touring exhibition,which attempts to break away from the museum system and endows it with historical significance.This establishes Cities on the Move as an exhibition function of overlapping Spaces that recognize cultural differences,link diverse cultures,and enhance diversity — Liminal Space.Finally,through the discussion of the media evaluation,critics’ comments and the historical impact of the exhibition,it is explained that Cities on the Move breaks through the traditional exhibition mode,recognizes the landmark status of the exhibition in the history of the exhibition,and creates a precedent for the development of the touring exhibition mode.