雪莉仍在這裡: 回憶宮殿

今日本身去Saatchi Gallery但無開，

改去Victoria&Albert Museum閒逛，

其中一個exhibition名為Memory Palace。

展覽由一本書作出發點，

再由二十個藝術家製作藝術品詮釋Hari Kunzru Mermory Palace故事，

其實我並非全然了解整個構思，

但內容大概為千年後未來，

現時倫敦將會成為猶如希臘廢墟，

所有人將失去記憶，

早前睇另一本書《建築變形記》論述建築本為人類用作留下記憶里程碑之用，

Memory Palace是為標示人類存儲記憶之宮殿。

由於未睇本書，

只有零碎記憶，

有一part應該係講科技世紀極權主義下人生存無須有任何想法，

因為想法並非人類生存必需品，

只需要得到清水用作生存之用，

主角每當想記起被洗腦失去記憶前自由或民主即被毒打，

未來極權主義下如1984或Fahrenheit 451般空洞可怕。

－

有一part道出科技氾濫下，

人連最基本A-Z都要上網google，

失去最基本人類文明應有知識，

而網絡於極權下可被監控，

猶如秦始皇焚書坑儒。

由於人類文明已被遺忘，

故人類為求生變得暴戾，

重回最原始弱肉強食社會。

－

另一part講人類於未來極權下被思想囚禁，

When they took me back to my cell,

I lay on the floor,

watching the jewels in my memory palace spin and turn,

gorgeous and bright.

For the first time I could see them,

not just in my mind's eye,

but in reality.

They were very beautiful.

當一切已成過去，

人類從前無珍惜手中自由，

一切只能成為記憶埋藏於memory palace之中遠觀並被漸漸遺忘，

they WERE very beautiful。

－

最深刻一段為探討死亡前最想留下之記憶，

其實人類最渴求的，

不過為最簡單基本自由與生活。

I am curled up on the bed,

thinking about the end,

when I noticed that I am covered in dust.

I watch,

in wonder,

as a drill bit pokes through from the other side.

Slowly the hole gets bigger,

until it is about the size of an ancient coin.

"Put your ear against and listen."

It is a woman's voice,

low and urgent.

I do what she say.

"We don't have much time. The fellowship have sent me. You must download."

"I am going to die."

"Yes. I'm sorry. If you could get you out. We would.

You are going to die and you'll be forgotten unless you download.

I will receive all your memories. I will keep them safe.

This is what we do for the dying."

I am permitted to add one memory of my own to the store.

This is what you choose to tell her.

I am walking over a green field with my lover.

In front of us scampers our cowardly little dog.

My lover and I hold hands.

I see her long dark hair.

Feel cool pressure of her hand in mine.

We walk over the field.

Up ahead is the brow of a hill.

In a moment, we will reach the top and be able to see the view.

This is what of mine will survive.

而最起初第一part名為，

The art of memory,

how to remember。

－

從來唔明白點解人要逼自己忘記某些事，

因為當忘記透徹以後，

突然間好想記起一件事，

而無論如何都記唔起時，

會突然發現四周非常陌生，

失去記憶，

著實係一件非常恐怖既事。

世上所有事都會失去，

但至少人生並無白過，

記憶宮殿中有磚有瓦，

總比空無一物更充實。

現代社會數碼世紀時代，

記憶實在係一門藝術，

當所有事都可以隨意地一下子delete，

relationship只係facebook其中一個按鈕時，

人類未來將會連最基本既remember演變成為一種特技。

唔好再任性地希望忘記所有事，

因為當你好想記返起時，

將會非常痛苦，

不如《無痛失戀》於消除時還能重遊故地，

仍能嘗試挽回，

忘記，

就只會單純地忘記，

如燈泡突然斷線，

就再不能重新啟動。

還會想忘記嗎？

接受並面對自己曾經有過既過去，

好好保存吧。