“Sleep Date” with Lu Zhang at Creative Time CTHQ
On Wednesday, July 31, Mamahuhu presented a table filled with snacks and drinks specially curated to complement artist Lu Zhang’s immersive experience - “Sleep Date” at Creative Time CTHQ.
In “Sleep Date”, Lu Zhang explores the poetic notion of shared rest through the lens of an ancient Chinese proverb, 百年修得共枕眠 (“It Takes Hundreds of Years to Sleep on the Same Pillow”), which alludes to the concept of yuánfèn (緣分) — the idea that our past lives may have created the potential for our present connections, friendships, as well as love.
Participants in the event were paired and invited to share a pillow for a short period of rest, creating an intimate space for reflection on dreams, shared experiences, and the simple act of sleeping side by side. The artist described this as an opportunity to experience energy, memory, and even brainwaves, passed between partners during this dream-like state.
The evening was not limited to romantic or intimate partners but extended to friends, acquaintances, or even strangers, offering a meditative and collective experience. Inspired by the concept of radical kung fu, as described in Zhang’s Nineteen Styles of Sleeping on the Same Pillow, this experiment invited participants to rest deeply and embrace yuánfèn in all its forms.
The snacks and drinks offered at the event were inspired by the world of Jin Yong (金庸), one of China’s most revered authors, celebrated for his wǔxiá (martial arts) novels（武俠小說）. Jin Yong’s works are known not only for their action-packed narratives but also for their deep reverence for Chinese tradition and culture, blending martial arts with philosophical and moral values.
Drawing from the rich themes of Jin Yong’s stories, we presented a selection of snacks（相思餅、柔情糕、花情酥、薄情卷、絕情丹） and beverages（忘情水） that evoke a sense of nostalgia and respect for these timeless works. The offerings, much like the event itself, were designed to bring participants into a reflective and immersive space, echoing the sentiments of connection, fate, and shared experience found in both in Lu’s community-based art practice and Jin Yong’s wǔxiá world.
For more information about the artist and her work, please visit Lu Zhang's website: www.luzhang.org/sleep-date-cthq
Photos by Angelina Ruiz & Qianfan Gu
Poster design by Yuki He
Special thanks to Anna Harsanyi, Herb Tam, and everyone who joined us!
