High Tide Low Current

Running from 21st to 25th February 2025 at Dauerwelle, exclusively at Tiefer 2, High Tide Low Current showcases the works of the artist duo Fish Tank—Shawn Pak Hin Tang, recipient of the prestigious H.A. Bockmeyer Travel Grant 2024, and artist Jennifer Yue Yuen Yu. This exhibition emerged from their residency on Gili Trawangan, Indonesia, where they volunteered in coral reef restoration through bio-rock technology, reef nurseries, and propagation. Their shared experiences as diving partners deepened their understanding of marine ecosystems and illuminated the socio-political complexities introduced by tourism.

Amid the imminent climate crisis, High Tide Low Current evokes a physical condition that invites spectators to dive in while simultaneously alluding to the stimulation and threats carried along the current. The artists respond through their personal perspectives, which mediate and intersect within an ecological scope. In this exhibition, Shawns’ installations employ systems such as solar energy and sound to juxtapose the respective stresses endured by both corals and humans. By reenacting aquaculture processes, Shawn reflects on his sense of displacement as a diver, drawing poignant parallels between environmental and personal dislocation.

On the other hand, Jennifer’s practice employs symbols to generate new narratives across various forms, including performances and installations. In particular, she explores the shapes and behaviours of aquatic organisms to interrogate the delicate balance between consumption and formation. By utilising natural objects to create archeological studies of transformation, she traces the sequences and impacts of change.

Together, presenting their collaborative works as the artist duo Fish Tank, Jennifer and Shawn provoke a reimagining of humanity's place within nature. Their works challenge us to reconsider our role in the delicate balance of marine ecosystems, offering a poignant exploration of coexistence and sustainability.