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GENG Jianyi, <Panda Bear>, Oil on canvas, 120x100cm
GENG Jianyi, <Interchange of Light>, Oil on canvas, 138.6×99cm, 1995
[China] GENG Jianyi Panda Bear Interchange of Light
Since the mid-1980s, Geng Jianyi exhibited a profound spirit of experimentation in the world of Chinese contemporary art. An organizer of the ’85 New Space and a member of the Pond Society, Geng showed “new characteristics”, where the use of colors was mindful and minimal, and the façade of the image engenders an unusual sense of oppression in the everyday experience. Furthermore, the overall credo of his art practice is revealed through repetition. In 1988, his work Water Factory was created, Geng became inclined to making installations and conceptual art. His adoption of the various artistic means was in response to the human condition with exaggeration, to awaken a clear conscience of his and that of the viewers’ through minute details of the artworks. Interchange of Light was inspired by ID photographs, based on the Chinese adage of “I am part of you and vice versa.” Once the facial features were fragmented, he reassembled them into one image, where the overlapping features could not make up for any particular individual. Untitled has adopted particular context of the Mao era, bringing in the iconic “Panda” to symbolize China, which in turn, subverted the preconceived notion of the “red glory” in the reverence and solemnity of personality cult. |
