2012
“GUEST” comprises five of China’s most convincing young talents: Li Ming, Lin Ke, Lu Pingyuan, Xu Qu, and Zhao Yao. In this assemblage of installation, painting, and performance, GUEST perhaps inspired by MadeIn, presents itself in the form of a circus. The works draw influence from the theatrics and fantastic disorder of a carnival, encouraging “an exit from reality, then a willingness to laugh at oneself, and finally a realistic acceptance of chaos,” in the artists’ words. Clowns relay humorous tidbits to visitors, acrobats maintain precision and symmetry, and a piece of meat has been tamed. The works are meant to evoke at once blank faces and raucous laughter, self-deprecating punnery and serious introspection. Created by Shanghai-based artist Xu Zhen in 2009, MadeIn is an artist collective that acts as a platform for collaborative expression.
*GUEST is the collective name for Li Ming, Lin Ke, Lu Pingyuan, Xu Qu and Zhao Yao.
“the quirky quintet crafted a variety works that don’t quite live up to the three ring circus their exhibit’s title implies.