In the exhibition of the Humboldt Lab Dahlem at the Museum für Asiatische Kunst (Museum of Asian Art) in Berlin, four artists were invited to artistically deal with the throne of the Chinese Emperors which was used on their journeys. Each artist used for this purpose a detailed replica of the original throne of the Qing-Dynasty (Kangxi-Era, 1662-1722), which is part of the museum’s collection.

In his work entitled Waterfall, Chinese artist Zhao Zhao (*1982) covers the throne and the paravent attached, with red wax. In Chinese tradition, the color red stood for the empire, later for Maoism and the reigning political party. The repress of the Chinese carried on from the feudal era up to the present and is manifested by depriving the people of their freedom. The color red can be seen as a symbol for this continuity of repression.

Zhao’s gesture of intrusion on the seat of a ’God emperorʻ seems egregious and radical. A hint on the concept behind Zhao’s piece and the material chosen gives the Chinese proverb All darkness in the world cannot darken the light of one single candle.

The ’darknessʻ and lack of freedom that arose from the power of the emperor as well as of the Communistic Party are disempowered towards someone taking his personal liberty. The ’lightʻ itself is not visible though, but the outcome of its shine. Waterfall is not a direct destruction, rather an interpretation through an act of intentional maculation, a comment, effective as well as powerful in color.

Zhao Zhao takes his own liberty. Apart from being an artist, he uses the internet, like many other Chinese. During the exhibition, visitors can follow his blog and with it the discussion about his work and the general situation in China.

Image: © Zhao Zhao, Photo: Jens Ziehe