CHEN Zhe

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CHEN Zhe

Participating Project	International Creator Residency Program
Activity Based	Beijing
City / Place stayed	Tokyo
Period	2025.1 - 2025.3

Purpose of the residency

My recent works derive from the curiosity to understand the possible means that is believed to connect human (“the below”) with the being that larger than us (“the above”). Among many spiritual methods, incense-burning is one that used not only for offering prayers to divine oracles, but also for aromatherapy, meditation, and religious worship. Widely spread around the world, including in Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Arabic, Christian communities, burning incense, which in many cases are made from plant parts, seems to be our ancestors’ shared method to link “the celestial texts and the earthly laws”. Japan has a rich history of using incense (dated from the 6th century). In my residency, I aim to research about the purposes behind the incense-burning throughout different stages of time, as well as the meticulous process of the incense-making.

Plan during the residency

• Research the history of making direct- and indirect-burning incense in Japan. I’m hoping to meet local specialists and historians, visiting museums and libraries to gain a in-depth understanding.
• Study in the local workshop the process of incense-making, including but not limited in forms like stick, powder, paper and cone.
• Collect samples of raw materials and products, learn about both the traditional and contemporary methods of incense-making and build small mock-ups in the studio for developing final sculptural works.
• Visit local religious locations to see how the incense is used by people in these days. Take short trips to neighboring towns if needed.
• Keep a journal with photo and video of my trip and experiment.

Creator Information