Cai Guo-Qiang: The Ninth Wave
A major solo exhibition of New York based Chinese artist Cai Guo-Qiang marks the first time Shanghai’s Power Station of Art (PSA) has presented an exhibition by a living artist.
Titled, The Ninth Wave, the exhibition sheds light on one of the greatest challenges faced by mankind, focusing on Earth’s current environmental and ecological crisis. Exploring the imminent challenge posed by the environment, Guo-Qiang references a theme in traditional Chinese aesthetics and philosophy: humanity’s longing to return to a primordial landscape and spiritual homeland.
The exhibition occupies the first and second floors of the museum and includes 11 major works by Guo-Qiang, six of which have been commissioned for the exhibition.
In 2013, one particular incident saw 16,000 dead pigs float down the Huangpu River in China. Inspired by the impact of this event, Guo-Qiang explored its affect through his artistic intervention titled The Ninth Wave. The intervention saw a fishing boat from Guo-Qiang’s hometown carry 99 fabricated animals along the River and The Bund waterfront. The boat ‘landed’ at the PSA’s Great Hall and remains on display throughout the exhibition.
The Ninth Wave is on display until Sunday 26 October 2014 at the Power Station of Art in Shanghai, China.
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