ShanghART Gallery is pleased to present artist Zhang Ding solo exhibition – Law.

Zhang Ding’s multimedia installation, video and photography are full of fantasy, and he dramatically breaks the boundaries of reality. His early works are mostly concerned about human destiny under the realistic living environments in a microcosmic perspective. Zhang Ding’s art transition started in September 2009 when his solo exhibition TOOLS was held in ShanghART, and the effectiveness of ‘environment’ began to be highlighted since then. On the one hand, reconciliation and confrontation among material properties of works create unique atmosphere; on the other hand, dramatic scenes enhance psychological inducement, inspire uneasiness of audience, and release tension through works. Such potential threat and incredible energy conversation will be presented at Zhang Ding’s new solo exhibition.

Law is usually used to describe a specific circumstance or a specific scale of the real world, often regarded as some kind of rule. However, its description and judgment are subject to specific provisions, which may become invalid due to changes of measurement or breakage of boundary. With such concept, Zhang Ding tries to express the relationship between controlled and uncontrolled power, and the balance of contradiction.

Exhibited works all have large size and are respectively installed, but together they compose a series of relevant works. Among works, there are walls surrounded by trees occupy half space of the exhibition room, which bring a mysterious atmosphere to the exhibition; and foam sculptures distributed around the walls are like cunning plotters got reunited for some kind of mutual understanding.

In front of walls, there is a wooden light installation which is about 7 meters long and 5 meters tall. Over 700 light bulbs are allocated in a huge hemispheroid, and a pair of limbs which looks like diving board is installed on both sides respectively. Light and heat produce infinite and desirable energy; the only way to obtain such energy is to overcome the fear of height, go up to the installation, and move forward under the plausible protection. Is it a risky adventure for the brave or a survival risk for the superior?

Another installation is an approximately 8 meters long mechanical transmission, and hundreds of light bulbs are being transmitted forward to be destroyed by some kind of cruel hammer. Corresponding to those light bulbs on the top, they calm down impatience and greed by self-sacrifice. Meanwhile, destruction is a means to achieve balance. The artist seems to remind us that whether it’s necessary to obey the law of destruction while maintaining rules and orders and sharing power and benefits.

Zhang Ding (1980) was born in Gansu Lanzhou, and now lives and works in Shanghai. He graduated from oil painting department of North West Minority University in 2003, and studied new media art from 2003 to 2004 at China Academy Fine Arts. His latest exhibitions include: Wind, Krinzinger Projects in Vienna (Austria, 2008); Tools in ShanghART H-Space in Shanghai (China, 2007); A lot of ash – A lot of dust in Bizart Art Center in Shanghai (China, 2005); the 1st Montpellier Biennale of Chinese Contemporary Art: MC1 in (France, 2005).

Writer: Wu Wei
Translated by Kristy