In a world constantly buzzing with activity, a unique competition challenges participants to do absolutely nothing for 90 minutes. Born from the creativity of Korean artist Woopsyang in 2014, the Space-Out competition advocates for a break from relentless productivity. Over the hour and a half, dozens of contestants work hard to do nothing; they aspire to win by being the one with the steadiest heart rate, which is measured by judges every 15 minutes. Denis Kwan Hong-Wang, a winner in Hong Kong last October, shared, "Though it was a 'space out' competition, I was doing the opposite: actively practicing mindfulness." During those precious minutes, it's about observing, not reacting, and finding peace in pure stillness. The experience suggests that, amidst our hectic lives, taking a moment to be, rather than to do, is not only a relief but a necessity. For the winner, a trophy based on Rodin’s The Thinker is a daily reminder to embrace these nourishing pauses.
