Constructed Object

In May 2025, sculptor Tuan Tsun-Chen will present his new exhibition “Constructed Object”, which will feature not only three-dimensional sculptures but also a series of sketches that use cement, iron, and graphite to construct a tranquil and understated urban landscape.

In the philosophy of Martin Heidegger (1889–1976), human construction is a means of dwelling. However, this concept of dwelling is not synonymous with mere habitation; it is "poetic dwelling", which encompasses the totality of life. As such, it is not only the human home that matters—every built structure, every form of construction, is essential to human life practice, embodying the self.

Tuan Tsun-Chen approaches architecture from the perspective of a "constructor", re-examining the complex patterns of buildings. He dissects architecture with clear forms and principles—stairs, porches, corridors, walls. When these elements transition from their original interdependent state into independent entities, they seem to gain a new opportunity for reinterpretation, like reborn objects gleaming in the clear light after a rainstorm, signaling that they hold all new possibilities. Tuan meticulously examines these architectural components, attempting to capture the subtle traces of dwelling hidden within them. What once was a concrete jungle suddenly becomes a living thing. In the hands of the sculptor, these fragments are reassembled and molded into new existences.

Unlike real buildings, which are vast and unapproachable, these cement-cast sculptures are small and intimate, tangible and viewable. Through constant refinement and polishing of materials, the previously ambiguous yet deeply cherished ideal of a beautiful place gradually takes form.

This may not be Tuan Tsun-Chen’s personal experience alone; rather, he invites the viewer into this hypothesis. In the intersection of reality and imagination, he builds a poetic dwelling—a space where one may find solace and peace.