INTRODUCTION TO ESSSENSSSE

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TEXT VERSION

Welcome to the exhibition ESSSENSSSE by artist HOSSEI. Very importantly, true to HOSSEI’s playful style, ESSSENSSSE is spelt E – S – S – S – E – N – S – S – S – E. The exhibition dates are Wednesday 14 February to Wednesday 24 April 2024, at Verge Gallery, University of Sydney, Gadigal Country.

Verge acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora nation, the traditional custodians of the land on which the gallery operates. We recognise that sovereignty was never ceded. We pay our respects to all First Nations people across the world, acknowledging and respecting their relationship with land.

ESSSENSSSE began when HOSSEI became fascinated by the sand dollar sea creatures— their shape, features, and how in mediaeval times it was truly believed that sand dollars were mermaid currency. When looking at the sand dollar, HOSSEI realised that if you were to remove the physical characteristics of a human body, you would be left with a mouth and an anus, just like the sand dollar. It is this idea that compelled HOSSEI to make the sand dollar an emblem of the show. An entry point and an exit, not just with food, but in the sense of discerning which energies come through and nourish the insides, and which are let out. ESSSENSSSE is about letting go and being one with the spirit and embracing its purity and vulnerability.

ESSSENSSSE is an aquatic ecosystem that explores the tenacity of the human spirit, stripping away human qualities and revealing what’s underneath. ESSSENSSSE is the third instalment to what I call my “sister shows,” O, presented at UTS Gallery & Art Collection (NSW) in 2023, and later THUNDERBLOOM at West Space (VIC) in 2023. Where O focused on the physical body, being up in the air and in transit, and THUNDERBLOOM looked at the human psyche, the weather in the mind, a stormy night – ESSSENSSSE is the next morning, the BODY, MIND, SPIRIT after a big night, looking at the sea for new beginnings.

In the area of the plaza outside of the gallery, there is a truss archway with the letters in “ESSSENSSSE” displayed across it in colourful electric neon lights. The plaza is decorated with sand dollars and starfish on the exterior walls and windows. On the left-hand side of the gallery are two purple worm-like sea creatures which come together to create an arch.

The gallery space contains a large bright orange carpet measuring 6m x 12m. The carpet is slightly on a slant with a perimeter around it, exposing the polished cement floor of the gallery. 13 brightly coloured costumes of animated sea creatures made from various tactile fabrics are hanging deconstructed from points in the ceiling from purple and orange rope. Audiences are encouraged to gently touch the costumes. The walls of the gallery are a vibrant orange with randomly placed fluorescent lights that are circular with wavy edges in yellow, green, blue, purple, pink and red. Different coloured plush starfish are also attached to the walls in random placements. Along with the starfish, brown and white coils of tubular rope, about 30cm in length, which the artist thinks of as snails, are attached to the walls.

A soft and gentle meditative soundscape plays in the background. These calming and soothing sounds include a vibraphone, conch-shell horns, ocean waves, whale songs and HOSSEI’s purring cat named Taro.