Frequencies of Tradition, Session I: The Kyoto School and its Convoluted Philosophical Conjunction
Session I: The Kyoto School and its Convoluted Philosophical Conjunction Introduction by curator Hyunjin Kim, followed by a conversation between artist Ho Tzu Nyen and scholar and philosopher, Yuk Hui. The first session unravels the intricate histories and incommensurable philosophies of the Kyoto School, a scholarly group founded at Kyoto University in Japan during the first half of the 20th Century. Their philosophy assimilated Western philosophy and religious ideas to reformulate spiritual and moral insights unique to East Asian cultural tradition, which later contributed to the Japanese military regime’s stance on the Pacific War (1941-1945). The session introduces Ho Tzu Nyen’s artistic research exploring the paradoxical ideologies and histories around Kyoto School and its four main scholars, followed by a conversation with scholar and philosopher of technology, Yuk Hui. They discuss the Kyoto School’s philosophy of the void, violence, and technology concerning Zen Buddhism, Taoism, Samurai culture, and the wartime repercussions of this school of thought. This session is introduced by Hyunjin Kim, KADIST’s Lead Regional Curator for Asia. The Online Seminar: Frequencies of Tradition is in conjunction with the exhibition Frequencies of Tradition curated by Hyunjin Kim at the Times Museum, Guangzhou, China from December 12, 2020 to February 7, 2021.