Curator's Statement

EXHIBIT FEATURES:

MY SUN, 2000
Three channels
One of Wang's unique talents as an artist is his ability to create compelling presentations of profound topics. Wang's iconic piece of art, My Sun, is a three -screen panoramic video installation which features three synchronized projected images. The piece dramatically and poignantly explores the pursuit of the unobtainable in life, as represented by the actions of an old Chinese peasant woman. Placed in a large barren field, the old woman tries, but fails to capture the illusive sun, an essential factor in securing a successful harvest. In the video, the sun rises, traces its traditional orbit in the sky, and then drops dramatically into the still desolate landscape scene. Finally the image of the old peasant woman is multiplied into an army of senior-citizen women, all grasping for the seemingly unobtainable in life. With the aid of a powerful sound track, a sense of melodrama permeates the piece, punctuated by a melancholic intensity. Indeed, the old peasant woman is a universal figure in pursuit of a dream, which seems within grasp, but never quite becomes a reality.

ALWAYS WELCOME, 2003
Four channels
In China stone lion figures were once signs of power, prestige and wealth. They were revered as protectors flanking the entrances of palaces, temples, imperial tombs, as well as the homes of both government officials and wealthy individuals. But in present-day China, the roles of these lion, like so many symbols of traditional China, has changed forever. In contemporary consumer-driven China pairs of stone lions are often seen flanking department stores, businesses, restaurants, and supermarkets, as well as the home of genuinely wealthy citizens. Indeed, guardian lions have lost their power to intimidate, and now they are used simply for decoration, or as marketing tools, devoid of any traditional meaning. Wang’s four-TV installation, Welcome, features lively, humorous, and loquacious guardian lions, which call out to, welcome, and comment upon the viewers as they enter.

FORWARD, 2008
Six channels
Placed at the entrance of the final video installation, this six-channel, silent video piece features 18 people, who represent a cross-section of Chinese life, ranging from construction workers, to farmers, to everyday housewives. The backs of these eighteen figures are featured, all walking ahead of the gallery viewer. At first the figures seem to be walking towards the next video installation. But in reality, this video is Wang's creative comment on China's surge as an economic power, which is benefiting average Chinese citizens. Indeed, China's middle class now numbers over 300 million people, and the country's economic clout has empowered these millions to move forward and better their lives. The video is an also ironic comment on other world economy. Regardless of how quickly they walk, will others be able to catch up with their Chinese video counterparts?

IT'S ABOUT YA, 2010
Nine channels
In this complex, nine-channel video installation, Wang takes the viewers on a rocky ride through the noisy, frenzied, unconscious nature of contemporary China. "Ya" is the sound signaling the beginning of a traditional Chinese opera performance; Wang employs this same sound to begin his six-minute video journey. Graphically brilliant and emotionally penetrating, Wang has employed computer technology to arrange the highly orchestrated sequence of impressions.

EXHIBIT REQUIREMENTS

My Sun

• 3 HD projectors
• 3 WDlive players (not plus)
• 3 screens - sized to screen shot
• Ethernet cable - qty based on layout
• 3 HDMI cables
• 3 Jump drives with proper firmware
• 2 power strips
• 3 horizontal projector mounts
• 1 Stereo system / sound system for audio track