Скачать или смотреть Dragonfly, a multidisciplinary exhibition by Gantuya Badamgarav, Lihla and Ray Tseng

DRAGONFLY  – Homeland of the Soul

The second edition of the XAOS - International Festival of Experimental Music and Visual Art presented a multidisciplinary exhibition inspired by the poetic flash fiction “Marriage with Dragonfly” of renowned Mongolian writer and poet Ulziitugs Luvsandorj

Famous novelist and poet May Sarton once said, “Loneliness is the poverty of self; solitude is the richness of self”. In today’s fast-paced, hyper-connected world, many of us struggle to find peace, caught between the ache of loneliness and the clarity that solitude can bring. The digital age, urban living, and constant media influence have reshaped how we connect – with others and with ourselves.

In this rapidly urbanizing world, loneliness has emerged as a silent epidemic – especially in large cities where people live in increasingly crowded yet emotionally disconnected environments. While social, financial, and technological pressures all play a role, growing evidence suggests that urbanization itself is a significant catalyst. The impact is not just emotional – it’s physical. Loneliness is linked to a range of severe health conditions, including depression, cognitive decline, alcoholism, and even heart disease.

Among the most affected is Generation Z, the most digitally connected generation in history. Raised on social media, they are constantly exposed to curated realities and endless streams of content. The result? A rise in passive consumption, social comparison, and “doom scrolling” – which often replaces real human connection with digital noise.

Meanwhile, our media landscape – TV, radio, online platforms, and print – relentlessly shapes our thoughts, desires, and behaviors. We are constantly told what to buy, how to think, and who to be. These pervasive external influences shape our identities and lifestyles, often without realizing it.

In response, many are turning inward. Solitude, once mistaken for isolation, is now being embraced as a powerful tool for self-reflection and renewal. It offers a space to question cultural narratives, disengage from external pressures, and reconnect with our most profound values. In solitude, we find clarity. We refresh our mindset. We begin to see the world—and ourselves—with newfound insight.

Inspired by the renowned Mongolian writer and poet Ulziitugs Luvsandorj’s poetic flash fiction, "Marriage with Dragonfly," this multidisciplinary exhibition invites viewers to immerse themselves in an enchanting world of sound, poetry, and the mystical environment, encouraging a profound exploration of the inner self and the beauty of solitude.

"Marriage with Dragonfly" is a poetic flash fiction piece that explores the journey of a poet who engages in a conversation with a dragonfly about her loneliness and the complex feelings that accompany it. Throughout their discussion, the dragonfly helps the poet understand and acknowledge the nature of her desires and the accompanying pain. The story culminates in a moment when the poet liberates herself from memories of the past and the people she carries in her heart, moving towards a state of inner awakening. In many cultures, the dragonfly symbolizes self-awareness, psychological transformation, and the power of change. And seemingly, the author uses the dragonfly as a representation of the poet's inner voice.

This exhibition is a part of the project titled "Solitude: Loneliness & Freedom," an artistic initiative that delves into the deep themes of loneliness, isolation, and voluntary withdrawal. This project, led by the Goethe-Institut branches across Central and East Asia, is currently being showcased at the XAOS International Festival of Experimental Music and Visual Art.

In June of last year, the Goethe-Institut in Mongolia invited the producer of this exhibition to participate in an international project initiated by its regional office in Seoul. After three months of contemplation, the vision of creating a captivating audio-visual work emerged—one that would intertwine electronic sound with a mystical atmosphere, inspired by L. Ulziitug’s poetic flash fiction, “Marriage with Dragonfly.” Months of searching for artists culminated in the decision to collaborate with Berlin-based Australian artist and composer Lihla and the lighting designer Ray Tseng from Taipei, both of whom could bring the spirit, colors, and rhythm of the original story to life. The story narrated by Lihla, along with the sound composition she created, is an adaptation of the original work, "Marriage with Dragonfly.”

The exhibition is dedicated to our future Generation Z.

Joint production of Gantuya Badamgarav (concept/imagination), Lih Qun Wong (sound, music, voice), and Ray Tseng (lighting)

The exhibition supporters: Goethe-Institut East and Central Asia Region, the Goethe-Institut Mongolia, the Taipei Trade and Economic Cooperation Office in Ulaanbaatar, and Steppe Amusement.