The detailed maps of leading Chinese artist and thinker Qiu Zhijie redefine our world in a close examination of its actual and conceptual territories. During his residency at Spring Workshop in May 2013, Zhijie re-imagines this terrain with expansive, large-scale maps made of ink and tape. Found objects and engraved spheres of glass, wood and steel are placed throughout, resulting in a landscape of new interrelationships. The maps’ journey began in Rotterdam with Qiu’s exhibition “Blueprints” (2012) at Witte de With Center for Contemporary Art which also featured the Map of Reactivation that served as the artistic statement of the 2012 Shanghai Biennale.

Image: © Qiu Zhijie, Courtesy of Spring Workshop