Performances by Cang Xin and Zhu Ming

On July 21st, a symposium followed by performances with Chinese artists Cang Xin and Zhu Ming, was held at the Museum of Modern Art Saitama.

Olivier Krischer

Organised by Saitama University lecturer and long-time contemporary Chinese art researcher, Youichi Maki, the discussion included not only presentations on contemporary Chinese performance (Akira Kuriyama), but also the origins of performance (Tadashi Uchino) and the developments of dance/movement based art works (Kikuko Toyama).

After the talk, we were invited to perform with Cang Xin. Here he instructs the brave volunteers.

In lines of two, participants made a sort of pilgrimage around the square in front of the Museum of Modern Art Saitama.

The action consisted of taking five steps forward, lying down flat, getting back up to standing position, taking five steps forward, and so on.

Cang says this performance – part of his 'Communication Series' – is informed by Shamanism, Tibetan religious practices and his Manchu ethnicity.

Zhu Ming then prepared a well known 'bubble' performance, versions of which he have taken place floating on open water, for example Sydney Harbour (2002).

The artist fills a clear plastic balloon with air, then enters, naked, with a bucket of ink.

He splashes the inside of the bubble with ink, rolling all the while.

The transparent bubble becomes completely black, concealing the artist within.

Following a poignant pause, he exists the balloon, leaving it to deflated into black pile of plastic.

Olivier Krischer

Articles

Olivier Krischer

Olivier is a relative newcomer to Japan, but has been an outside observer for many years. While trying to concentrate on researching recent artistic exchanges between Japan and China, he instead often ends up seeing 'yet another' exhibition. He doesn’t like admitting it, but he harbours photographic aspirations, depending on the weather. He has long focused his interest on photomedia, issues surrounding modernity in Asia, as well as recent art from China, Korea and Japan.

Articles

Back to Articles