by DANIAL FUAD
From 16 November to 14 December, A+ Works of Art in Kuala Lumpur hosted One of Our Fossils, an exhibition by Adam Phong that used speculative archaeology to explore humanity’s impact on the Earth. Central to the exhibition were chicken bones—common yet often overlooked byproducts of modern life—reimagined as relics that future civilizations might study to understand our era.
Inspired by a scientific study suggesting chicken bones could become fossil markers of our time, Phong turned these remnants of human consumption into symbols of the lasting imprint we leave behind. His exhibition transformed mundane objects into profound artifacts, sparking reflection on our relationship with time, memory, and materiality.
The exhibition unfolded across three distinct spaces, each offering a unique perspective on time and scale:
First Room: Time’s Vastness
The opening installation featured a monumental structure resembling a wave or a time-travel tunnel. This dynamic piece evoked the immensity of geological epochs and invited viewers to step into a speculative future. “It’s meant to make you feel small,” explained Phong, emphasizing the transient nature of human existence within Earth’s timeline.
Second Room: Mystery and Disorientation
In the next space, medium-sized sculptures presented ambiguous forms that blended alien aesthetics with ancient designs. These artifacts imagined how future archaeologists might interpret the remnants of our civilization. Phong described them as reflecting “an era of disorientation and negotiation,” challenging viewers to question how our present might be decoded in the future.
Final Room: Ritual and Reuse
The concluding space drew connections between ancient rituals and modern consumption. Small, functional objects hinted at a speculative future where chicken bones are as essential as fossil fuels are today. These pieces suggested new ways of seeing waste as material for survival and cultural significance.
To enhance the immersive experience, Phong incorporated soundscapes that mimicked ancient caves or alien worlds. The layered audio design deepened the speculative atmosphere, aligning with Phong’s goal of blending art and archaeology. “Art lets us explore meaning,” he said, “while science explains how the world works.”
Phong’s work balanced the absurd and the significant. By positioning chicken bones as key relics of human civilization, he critiqued our culture of consumption while imagining how these discarded items might carry meaning for future societies. “It’s about creating narratives where none exist,” he noted, highlighting humanity’s tendency to construct stories around material remnants.
While the exhibition’s speculative themes may have felt complex for some, it rewarded viewers with a thought-provoking perspective on humanity’s legacy. Phong invited his audience to consider how the mundane artifacts of today could shape tomorrow’s understanding of our civilization.
One of Our Fossils offered a unique blend of imagination, archaeology, and commentary on contemporary life. As Phong put it, “This work is part of a process. It’s about who we are becoming and how we will be remembered.”
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