Resting Spirit
Still and Moving Center, Honolulu HI
“Go within, let the warm waves wash over you”
‘Resting Spirit’ (2022) is a meditative video installation with sound, installed at a wellness and yoga studio in Honolulu. The work explores the principle of entrainment, a phenomenon in which the body of an organism synchronizes to external perceived rhythms, to induce a change in the mental, physical, and emotional state of visitors. This is manifested through the motion of the figure’s animated breath, surrounding environment, and accompanying musical composition tuned to the rhythm of the ocean waves. The work aims to reduce the mental chatter and anxiety of participants.
The piece was inspired by the artist's travels in Maui prior to the Covid pandemic and was created shortly after the first lockdowns. Wishing to bring in ease and comfort to herself during a difficult period, Zhang drew upon memories of the warm vibrations and nurturing Mana - or spiritual and healing energy - of Maui, and painted the original "Resting Spirit" piece in early 2020. In 2022, the artist expanded upon the expression of the piece, bringing “Resting Spirit” to life with movement, animated breathing, and a musical composition tuned to the rhythm of the ocean waves composed by musician Jessica Ackerly.
The following meditation instructions were shown to visitors prior to entering the space to prepare them for the experience:
Meditation Instructions
Welcome to “Resting Spirit”, a musical, meditative art journey into a state of peace and relaxation. Please take your shoes off and proceed upstairs. Enter the room through the left side of the curtains. A full music loop lasts about 4 minutes, but you may stay as long as you wish.
Find a position that is comfortable for you and let yourself be immersed in the visuals and sound. As you take in the piece, you may want to slow down your breathing - letting go deeper and deeper into a restful state until your breath and that of “Resting Spirit” synchronize, and you and hir become one.
The original pastel painting of ‘Resting Spirit’ (2020) is 28 x 22 inches.
