A life in 10,000 objects

Song Dong’s 'Waste Not' exhibition reveals an endearing glimpse into Chinese family life from the past 50 years, implicitly exploring the impact of the Cultural Revolution. The activity of the Chinese saying “wu jin qi yang” – “Waste Not” was a common survival tactic for a whole generation of Chinese, a generation bound by a fear of shortage. Furthermore, when Song Dong’s father died in 2002, Song Dong’s mother (Zhao Xiangyuan) became deeply depressed and her frugality developed into hoarding. According to Song Dong, the initial exhibition “gave my mother a space to put her memories and history in order”.

Having read about this upon entering the exhibition, ‘Waste Not’ became hugely poetic and powerful for me. This is because as you reflect on it, several layers of appreciation emerge as you are ultimately encouraged to rethink what is truly important in your life.  

I found that The Barbican Curve Gallery was the perfect place to hold such an exhibition as its imposing corridor-like shape enables you to wander through a swarm of coloured and gridded artefacts, ordered debris, dust, rust, and fragments of household objects which ultimately creates a sense of anticipation and discloses its secrets gradually as you maze through.

I was amazed to see parents holding their children back as what you might normally value lowly, as waste or debris, here are treated with care and sensitivity, with value and importance.

Rows of shoes are immaculately paired side by side, creating the disturbing effect of a shoe cemetery. 

I could really imagine the thought process running through Zhao Xiangyuan’s mind when she chose to keep these things. Anyone who has moved house, cleared out their wardrobe (which I have recently attempted) or has had to de-clutter will understand, choosing between things you don’t really “need” brings out a string of strange emotions.

I can honestly say that I really wasn’t prepared for such a poignant atmosphere that emerged from a collection of everyday things!