Artist breaths life into trash bags
Print Edition
AN artistic celebration of women’s handbags kicked underway at the K11 Museum through October 9.
Entitled “Bagism,” the exhibition features 350 bags, including centuries-old accessories and modern pieces from contemporary artists like 27-year-old Wang Enlai.
Among a cluster of Birkin, Lady Dior and Chanel bags, Wang’s offering makes a statement with its deliberate disavowal of all that is glamorous.
His massive installation work “Waves” includes some 200 trash bags that inflate and undulate as they come into contact with wind from several large ventilating fans.
“I just used normal, or even ignored objects, from our daily lives in another form of art,” says the young artist with a smile.
Born in Dalian, Liaoning Province, Wang is a post-graduate from the sculpture department at the National Central Academy of Fine Art in Beijing. Wang says that when he was little, he loved to see his father draw design sketches. Compared with his peers, Wang’s art path seemed very smooth. He counts Sui Jianguo, one of China’s top contemporary artists, as his teacher.
When his classmates quit the sculpture major upon graduation, Wang’s name and his artworks start to emerge in art circles.
For example, the “Bagism” exhibition features a cluster of big names such as Zhang Enli and Xu Zhen. Wang says he feels lucky to participate in such a daunting exhibition with these renowned artists at his age. Yet, unlike some of his peers, Wang already has a mature artistic vision.
“Perhaps I’m good at finding alternatives,” he jokes. “I’m clear that as a young artist, I don’t have a big budget to support my creations. So I used some ready-made objects. Many asked whether I faced financial problems, my answer is no. My studio cost about 4,000 yuan (US$602) a month. It’s true that it is not a big studio, but at the same time I don’t have big pressures.”
Wang’s polite, reserved demeanor probably hasn’t hurt his career development either.
“It’s a honor for me to join this exhibition together with the big shots,” he says. “I love to see the response from the viewers.”
Shanghai Daily recently spoke to Wang about “Waves” and his career to date.
Q: Today many women love to purchase expensive bags, what’s your view on that?
A: Everyone has something to love. Once a bag becomes affordable, then why not to please yourself if you find satisfaction in it?
Q: Did you create “Waves” especially for this exhibit, or is it an existing one?
A: It is an existing one, but I adjusted its size based on the size of the space.
Q: Making sculptures or installation costs money. Have you ever experienced any financial pressure?
A: This is a challenge for all young artists. One alternative is to choose not-so-expensive materials, such as the trash bags I used in this piece. I’ve always believed that quality art doesn’t come only from expensive materials. For example, I bought these trash bags from Ikea, and I used 230 yuan in total.
As you know, young sculptors sometimes are offered jobs in environment or interior design. This is also my sideline to support myself.
Q: As a graduate from the sculpture department at the National Academy of Fine Art in Beijing, you seem to be more interested in making installations. For you, what’s the difference between sculpture and installation?
A: Today there doesn’t exist a clear boundary between sculpture and installation.
Q: How did you think of using trash bags in your creation?
A: It was by coincidence. I once used some trash bags to wrap something at my studio. One day, I suddenly found that they appear very meaningful when they were inflated. The impact strengthened when the bags were put in rows and inflated.
Q: On the surface, your installation work doesn’t reveal any trace of sculptural techniques. Does that mean the techniques you learned have become useless?
A: Definitely not. The techniques have already been carved into my blood. It is easier for me to think of the structure and the relationship between my work and the environment.
Q: Do you still remember your first installation work?
A: Yes, it is titled “Waterfall.” I used 6,000 soaps that were continuously washed away by flowing water. It’s an ongoing work, as the piece looks differently each day.
Q: Among Chinese contemporary artist, who’s your favorite sculptor?
A: It’s very hard to find your idol among your contemporary peers. I have to say I don’t have someone to admire in the present era.
Q: For most ordinary Chinese people, installations are still considered something odd that can’t be deciphered. Do you think your work is appreciated?
A: I never treat myself as being different from the ordinary people on the street. We live on the same planet and face with the same problems. I’m just one of the ordinary people. The visual experience demands a time period.
Here at the K11, a public space is a perfect venue to introduce new art forms to a younger generation.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
