Xu Zhen "New Work"
James Cohan Gallery
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A leading figure among the youngest generation of Chinese artists, Xu Zhen is a chameleon of concept; one who's art-making has crossed over various disciplines. His work often takes the form of theatrical pranks and provocative interventions so as to confront socio-political taboos within the context of contemporary China. Untitled, 2009, a work commissioned by James Cohan Gallery Shanghai for the spring 2009 exhibition, is built with more than 3,000 playing cards. Arranged to resemble the Potala Palace, Tibetan home of the Dalai Lama, the installation parodies the iconic spiritual pilgrimage amidst the turbulence of the political situation between China and Tibet.
For his upcoming exhibition at James Cohan Gallery NY, Xu promises to play the trickster once again by taking on the persona of a curator of Islamic Art and presenting us with a show of work by "Islamic Artists." This politically incorrect role-play is in keeping with previous exhibitions in which Xu has become an explorer, invader, merchant and scientist in order break down barriers and expose the preconceptions to which we hold fast.
[Image: Xu Zhen "Untitled" (2009) playing cards, approx dims: 169 x 51 x 47 in.]
Media
Schedule
from September 10, 2009 to October 10, 2009