As part of his ongoing examination into the concept of the “Assembly Line,” Li Xiaofei has traveled to two opposite corners of the globe, Norway and Sweden (where he visited a king crab fishing operation and hydro-power plant) and New Zealand (where he visited a chocolate factory, dairy and sheep farm and fuse manufacturing plant). These works tell stories of resource depletion, sustainability and the challenges of immigration. At the same time, he presents scenes of natural beauty and everyday life which ask deep questions about the kind of environments we create for ourselves and the quality of life they provide us.

In contrast to the “Assembly Line” series shot in China, these industrial landscapes are somewhat softer, less desolate and more human but as we loose ourselves in the spectacular scenery of the South Island (New Zealand), the potential costs of rapid industrialization come sharply into focus.

*image (left)
© Li Xiaofei
courtesy of the artist and OV Gallery