#samsonyoung

During Frieze Week, I attended the the opening of a “One Hand Clapping,” a Chinese contemporary art exhibition organized by The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Chinese Art Initiative.  It was a group show of newly commissioned works by five cutting edge Chinese artists of today, Cao Fei, Duan Jianyu, Lin Yilin, Wong Ping, and Samson Young.  These artists explored “the ways in which globalization affects our understanding of the future. Their commissioned works represent a range of traditional and new mediums, from oil on canvas to virtual-reality software.”

For those who have not been to The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York City, it was designed by American architect Frank Lloyd Wright (a Chicago hometown favorite) and opened it’s doors in 1959 and rightfully it is an artwork in itself, but as an exhibition hall it is in my opinion, a huge failure. I’ve visited this museum countless of times and I’ve never been able to concentrate on the exhibition ascending the spiral because the building architecture eventually take over and I end up feeling dazed and confused like Dorothy when her house was flying through the tornado in Wizard of Oz.  

After a couple glasses of wine, I ascended the spiral of ultimate nauseousness with all the other attendees walking quickly though a sparse solo exhibition of Dahn Voh, Take My Breath Away.  The exhibition is like walking along the beach and discovering bits and pieces of a plane wreck.  Of course, reading the text takes you through a journey of life, loss, love and suffering.  All quite serious topics for being so dizzy. 

After what seemed like a long journey, we arrive at The Samuel J. and Ethel Lefrak Gallery, which is the large exhibition hall at the top of the spiral with normal perpendicular walls.  

The first room is filled with large works on canvas by Duan Jianyu.  In her paintings, she explores ordinary people and mythical creatures doing ordinary things with surreal elements.  All in all critiquing the strange juxtaposition in our modern society covering issue of globalization and social identity, tradition vs. modernization, to urban and rural dynamics.  

In the follow gallery, I had to confront Wong Ping’s animated video, Dear, Can I give you a hand? (2018) commissioned by the Guggenheim.  To be honest, it freaked me out.  It was like watching a train wreck, I couldn’t peel my eyes away.  It’s in Cantonese, but had English subtitles, “I take my daughter-in-law’s panties to take a sniff. As expected, it smells of artificial lubricant. Although it is artificial, I decide to keep it for myself, I hope when the lubricant dries up, her body scent will emerge” 😳 AHHHH!! Wong Ping uses video animation as his medium  to address these modern Chinese issues where older parents often live with their married children though a combination of shock and dark humor. 

Cao Fei never fails to impress me. In Asia One (2018), he transformed the entire gallery into a Disneyland version of a Chinese quick delivery distribution depot wonderland fully equipped with highly produced and choreographed on location video of workers in factory dancing somewhat reminiscent of a cross between Village People and Chinese Cultural Revolutionary Ballet.  

Cao Fei’s videos pokes fun at the propaganda style corporate team-building initiatives in modern companies today and to cover the fact that it’s just a machine to sell more products or services to consumers.  In the installation, the mundane delivery truck is disguised under visual representations of money, happiness and festivities. 

Samson Young’s installation in collaboration with the University of Edinburgh’s Next Generation Sound Synthesis (NESS) was super complicated and conceptual beyond my reach.  To be honest, it took a while to process and I still am not sure if I got it.  It involved imaginary instruments played by the heat of a dragon’s breath.  It also played on a schedule, so to get the full effect, you have to set a timer and visit often.  It is based on “physical modeling, a practice in the field of computer science, to create a multilayered sound installation that interrogates our search for truth, and music’s unsung role in shaping humanity.” 🤯  Totally over my head...but maybe that was the whole point. 🤔

Mostly I’m excited to see these young artists exhibiting in the United States.  I visit Asia often and have the opportunity to acquaint myself with these new artists’ works and this new wave of experiential art making requiring one to experience the artwork.  Visit the Guggenheim, get a little dizzy and experience “One Hand Clapping”.