QU Fengguo and ZHANG Ruyi are participating "Degree Zero of Art: the Rational Expression of Abstract Art" at Hive Center for Contemporary Art (Beijing) and "Bent & Straight - The Logic of Abstract" at Hi Art Center.
Taking Roland Barthe’s literary critique that distinguishes the concept of a writing from that of a style or language as the very entry, "Degree Zero of Art" deconstructs and even contradicts the sample discourse of "Rational Painting" stemmed from the '85 New Wave movement, which continues to influence the contemporary practice of abstract art in China. The exhibition attempts to establish a new non-linear narrative of abstraction beyond the historical induction by deeming abstraction as a verbal act. Coincidentally, "Bent & Straight" strives to break free of post-painterly abstraction, but accommodates the practice of Chinese abstraction in the alternative of a geopolitical situation.
QU Fengguo initiated his abstract works in the early 90s, abandoning brushstrokes while applying the stripes manually produced by mechanical operations, to formulate a generative grammar for the chromatic text in his paintings. ZHANG Ruyi utilises the matrix coming with the industrial paper to recode the inherent contradiction between the modern "grids" and the classical "grids". Through the incorporation of readymades in sculptural and installation pieces, she further restores the automaticity of "grids" as a medium. Both QU and ZHANG are the pioneers for abstract art in Shanghai. From different generations though, their works together bear the specific will behind the spatial configuration of the city.
"Degree Zero of Art: the Rational Expression of Abstract Art" and "Bent & Straight - The Logic of Abstract" at Hi Art Center open today and will last until July 7 and June 21, respectively.
“Selected works at "Degree Zero of Art"
Spring showers, Four Seasons 四季 雨水, QU Fengguo 曲丰国, 2014. Oil on canvas 布面油画, 145 x 220 cm
A Dotted Line-2 一根虚线-2, ZHANG Ruyi 张如怡, 2015. Mixed media on paper 纸上综合材料, 20 x 30 cm
“Selected works at "Bent & Straight"
Insects Waken, Four Seasons 四季 惊蛰, QU Fengguo 曲丰国, 2016. Oil on canvas 布面油画, 145 x 220 cm
No Light Here-4 这里没有灯光-4, ZHANG Ruyi 张如怡, 2017. Mixed media on wood panel 木板上综合材料, 80 x 60 cm
