Artist｜LIU Ren, ZHANG Ruyi
Group Exhibition | Returning to The Sea:
Philosophical Reflections on the Anthropocene Ocean
TAG Art Museum, Qingdao
Don Gallery is pleased to announce the participation of artists LIU Ren and ZHANG Ruyi in the exhibition Returning to The Sea: Philosophical Reflections on the Anthropocene Ocean at TAG Art Museum, Qingdao, which is situated on the south bank of Tangdao Bay, has been focusing on regional issues since it opened in 2021. It is the first exhibition of a sustainable ocean-themed art project and offers a singular viewpoint and a multisensory experience that profoundly examines the ocean and considers the link between humanity and the ocean. With an eye towards our hopes and aspirations for the future of the earth's seas, it seeks to critically examine the numerous issues that the ocean is currently facing and to show how important the ocean is to future development potential and vision. The exhibition will run until the 10th of June, 2024.
Installation View
6 Feet 6英尺, LIU Ren 刘任, 2016. Silk screening on stainless steel tape 丝网油墨在不锈钢卷尺上, dimensions variable 尺寸可变
“Panta Rhei” tears a sheet from Greek philosopher Heraclitus’ summary of the ever-changing nature of existence, where “one cannot step twice into the same stream.” In the heady pace of today’s urban lifestyle, this adage is especially apparent. Straw paper, as a medium which is tossed aside only to be re-formed, is a testament to human life as it is wiped away again and again. In this series, LIU breaks down straw paper step by step, transforming it into pulp, and then drying it into a stone-like effect. The traces of personal information as it passes away is further emphasized and refined through this process. Within the cracks, the artist inserts gold, which forms a sharp contrast to the expendability of straw paper.
