GOOSE IN THE BOTTLE

About the Exhibition

The title “The Goose in the Bottle” comes from a Zen kōan: In ancient times, someone raised a goose inside a glass bottle. As the goose grew, it could no longer fit through the narrow neck of the bottle. The question posed is this: How can one release the goose from the bottle without breaking the glass or harming the goose?

From the moment we are born and develop self-awareness, the “goose” exists within the “bottle” of worldly inevitability—a symbol of the limitations and constraints imposed upon our perception. Yet at the same time, the “goose” also represents a vital force that may still possess authentic self-awareness. The question, “What will be different next time?” is thus a recurring inquiry and an act of transcendence for any life confined within a “bottle”: Can we truly awaken from the collective will shaped by innate inevitability, and diminish the reasons for war and mutual hatred? This is not only an interpretation of Zen philosophy in the context of modern social life but also a reflection on the process of collective conformity.

The psychologist Erich Fromm pointed out in Escape from Freedom that although people yearn for freedom, they often cannot bear the loneliness and uncertainty that accompany it. As a result, they choose to abandon their individuality and submit to the collective or authoritarian power in exchange for a sense of security. People may appear to be free, yet unconsciously seek out and live within “bottles”—these bottles may take the form of collective will, family traditions, external authorities, or societal norms. When individuals cannot bear the personal responsibility that freedom demands, they tend to surrender to such groups, which in turn gives rise to many extreme phenomena in society.

Therefore, courageously fleeing one’s own inevitability is not a true path to liberation; rather, it often leads to another form of collective bondage. True release lies in transcending the safe confines of the “bottle” and returning to the root of one’s true nature—emerging from the bottle here and now. As Fromm writes, it is about pursuing positive freedom—the kind of freedom that allows one to choose autonomously, to possess love and creativity, and to forge genuine connections with others.

Yuan Deng (Liu Qiuran), was born in Guangdong, China. After completing her studies in Printmaking at the China Academy of Art, she moved to Japan, where she now lives and creates in Tokyo and Nagano. Her works are not limited to any single technique or medium; rather, she employs simple and spontaneous forms of expression to explore the dark undercurrents of human consciousness and the meaning of its existence in reality. Embedded within her works is a persistent questioning of the dynamics between collective will and individual compliance, through which she gradually shapes her own artistic language.

The concept of the “dark consciousness” (you’an yishi) was proposed by historian Zhang Hao in 1982, referring to the hidden, often neglected side of society’s narrative. The lack of discourse about this shadow side has, over time, led to a diminishing capacity for critical reflection and judgment, causing people to fall into illusory connections and blind confidence. Yuan Deng consistently seeks to trace the fundamental origins of various social phenomena. Through her art, she aims to reveal the hidden, passive conformity of individuals amid these issues, invoking an awakening and transcendent force that aspires toward a harmonious balance between mind and matter, fostering resonance and profound empathy.

This exhibition features traditional prints, seal carving, calligraphy, sculpture, video installations, and conceptual artworks. It unfolds from the central question posed by “The Goose in the Bottle,” and persistently asks: “What will change next?”

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Exhibition Dates
July 23 (Wed) – July 27 (Sun), 2025
1:00 PM – 7:00 PM 

Venue
Moon Gallery & Studio
1F, 2-3-13 Kita-Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo

Admission
Free admission (No reservation required; open for casual visits)

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*Workshop Information
During the exhibition, a “Traditional Rubbing Art Workshop” will be held.

• Date: Saturday, July 26, 2025 
• Time: 1:30 PM – 5:30 PM 
• Capacity: 10 participants per session 
• Fee: ¥4,000 per person (materials included)
• Details and Registration: Information will be announced on the official website of Moon Gallery & Studio. Reservations will open after the exhibition begins.

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