This academic exhibition will carry out a complete inquiry into contemporary art through four facets. First, it will approach the philosophical issues of modernity, beginning with Baudelaire’s duality of modern life between the ephemeral and the eternal to discuss whether or not “nature” can be the medium that links between the limited and the limitless. Second, it will reflect on the dilemma between “formal language” and “conceptual art” in a rewriting of modern art history, seeking a third path related to nature. Third, it will explore the modern potential of the empty cold landscapes of traditional Chinese painting, opening up a new “choratopia” through an internal dialogue between modern Chinese life and Western landscape painting. Fourth, the practices of the eight contemporary Chinese artists featured in this exhibition have already responded to the above questions in various ways, and these artists are willing to join us on this beautiful yet dangerous excursion in hopes of opening up a new possible direction for art. 

*image (left)
Cao Jigang,
Stone, 2011
Laval Tempera, 150×240cm
courtesy of the artist and Soka Art Center