Unnamed Room - Chen Wei solo exhibition
08 Jul - 13 Aug 2007
Unnamed Room NO.8-2006-Chen Wei-photo-110cmX150cm
Sand and Nobody NO.2--2007-Chen Wei-photo-125cmX165cm
Unnamed Room NO.1-2006-Chen Wei-photo-110cmX150cm
Unnamed Room NO.2-2006-Chen Wei-photo-110cmX150cm
Unnamed Room NO.3-2006-Chen Wei-photo-110cmX150cm
Unnamed Room NO.4-2006-Chen Wei-photo-110cmX150cm
Unnamed Room NO.5-2006-Chen Wei-photo-110cmX150cm
2007.7. 8 - 2007. 8. 13
Opening reception: 2007.7.8 3pm
Place: Platform China's Project Space in 798
Following the exhibition , "Shouting Truth , " the young Hangzhou artist Chen Wei , presents his new photography series , " U nnamed R ooms" at Platform China 's project space in the 798 art district. By arranging seemingly ordinary objects in strange ways, Chen Wei imbues his images with a mystical quality. The juxtaposition of real and imagined objects creates a sense of dissonance from reality within his viewers. But what meanings do these images hold? Did the artist intentionally create a narrative scene with a specific message for his audience? Or are these images so specific to the artist's own memories that they are rendered purposeless to an outside audience?
Chen Wei's favorite saying is, “Memory is knowledge ; from your memories you find gnosis." Like most young people who grew up in China throughout the 80's, Chen Wei has strong opinions . For Chinese, collective consciousness is a reality that has not completely disappeared. Personal experienc es can be painful and difficult to express. Chen Wei believes that this difference between the past and the present has not affected Chinese in the same way. While these painful experiences render some numb, completely lost in pain, others accept their experiences and grow stronger because of them . Chen Wei chooses to express strength.
Wei's interest in contemporary art started at a very early age . Regardless of whether he is making music or photography, each art form is simply a tool permitting Wei to more deeply explore his thoughts and expressions.
Wei's mystic al portraits are a type of visual poetry for his viewer's enjoyment. By understanding the artist's life history and artistic practices, you will better understand Wei's images . However , only careful contemplation will lead the viewer to notice the image's inherent contradictions. These contradictions elicit a sense of emotional release in some viewers accompanied by a deeper sense of understanding and connection with the work . The depth of his works then becomes evident, proving that this young artist is seeking truth through his works.
This exhibition wants to explore Chen Wei's memories by extending the artist's initial internal dialogue between the artist's present life and his past experiences. Chen Wei willingly shares these deeply personal and at times, painful memories with his audience.
The point of these images is not whether they accurately recreate reality, or only exist in the subconscious . The audience may or may not appreciate s the work. T he most important thing is the process Wei went through in order to create this series. Through the process of painful recollection, t his series demonstrates the initial steps that he is taking to more deeply explore mental scars. This series represents Chen Wei's initial exploration of these painful memories serving as the initial stepping stone to both personal growth and truthful artistic production.
Opening reception: 2007.7.8 3pm
Place: Platform China's Project Space in 798
Following the exhibition , "Shouting Truth , " the young Hangzhou artist Chen Wei , presents his new photography series , " U nnamed R ooms" at Platform China 's project space in the 798 art district. By arranging seemingly ordinary objects in strange ways, Chen Wei imbues his images with a mystical quality. The juxtaposition of real and imagined objects creates a sense of dissonance from reality within his viewers. But what meanings do these images hold? Did the artist intentionally create a narrative scene with a specific message for his audience? Or are these images so specific to the artist's own memories that they are rendered purposeless to an outside audience?
Chen Wei's favorite saying is, “Memory is knowledge ; from your memories you find gnosis." Like most young people who grew up in China throughout the 80's, Chen Wei has strong opinions . For Chinese, collective consciousness is a reality that has not completely disappeared. Personal experienc es can be painful and difficult to express. Chen Wei believes that this difference between the past and the present has not affected Chinese in the same way. While these painful experiences render some numb, completely lost in pain, others accept their experiences and grow stronger because of them . Chen Wei chooses to express strength.
Wei's interest in contemporary art started at a very early age . Regardless of whether he is making music or photography, each art form is simply a tool permitting Wei to more deeply explore his thoughts and expressions.
Wei's mystic al portraits are a type of visual poetry for his viewer's enjoyment. By understanding the artist's life history and artistic practices, you will better understand Wei's images . However , only careful contemplation will lead the viewer to notice the image's inherent contradictions. These contradictions elicit a sense of emotional release in some viewers accompanied by a deeper sense of understanding and connection with the work . The depth of his works then becomes evident, proving that this young artist is seeking truth through his works.
This exhibition wants to explore Chen Wei's memories by extending the artist's initial internal dialogue between the artist's present life and his past experiences. Chen Wei willingly shares these deeply personal and at times, painful memories with his audience.
The point of these images is not whether they accurately recreate reality, or only exist in the subconscious . The audience may or may not appreciate s the work. T he most important thing is the process Wei went through in order to create this series. Through the process of painful recollection, t his series demonstrates the initial steps that he is taking to more deeply explore mental scars. This series represents Chen Wei's initial exploration of these painful memories serving as the initial stepping stone to both personal growth and truthful artistic production.