ShanghART Singapore presents a new exhibition "The Spectacle of the Spectacles". Participating artists include Ding Yi, Xu Zhen (produced by MadeIn Company), Shi Qing, Sun Xun, Shi Yong, Tang Maohong, Zhang Enli, and Zhou Tiehai.

This carefully curated show is a result of integrated evaluation and application of medium and material, demonstrating a strong initiation among contemporary artists in this aspect. Every single work displays a strong individuality and strength, providing a very different visual experience from each other. Nonetheless, they seem to share a latent commonality upon closer examination: On one hand, comparing to “spectaclised” works of enormous dimension that the artists have previously created, this exhibition showcases those of relatively small scale, a way of study which corresponds to how Chinese philosophy inspects the profound and extensive reflection from a micro point of view. On the other hand, this exhibition also aims to dialogue with Guy Debord’s monograph “The Society of the Spectacle”, in context with his statement on the separation between representation and reality. For example, TANG Maohong consciously defines such separation in his artworks so as to trigger an inspection to the deeper and boundless reality.

The alienation and expansion between the artworks’ external and internal layers showcase an appearance with a rich overtone that goes beyond the usual visual experiences: they have not only gone beyond the conventionally recognised geographical and physical boundaries, but more importantly the geopolitical conundrums. As a result the artworks stand on their own, and also work as imagined communities with their internal connections.

-ShanghART Singapore

Image: © Shi Yong, Courtesy of ShanghART Gallery