Song Ta’s works are unambiguously humorous, often calling into question established societal codes of conduct. Frequent visitors might recall his video contribution to UCCA’s “ON | OFF: China’s Young Artists in Concept and Practice” (2013) entitled Uglier and Uglier in which girls from his alma mater appear in descending rank, gradually shifting to the least attractive according to his taste. However, the topic for this installment of the New Artrends talk series “Song Ta: the Art of Score 59.5” is derived from his recent work These Are Your Test Scores, and You Are Still Playing Around? (2014), a project based on kids receiving the nearly passing score.
Being located at the edge of acceptability is perhaps worse than completely flunking. During this discussion, Song Ta puts forward several questions regarding the necessity of sequencing in our lives. Who is the “most”? Is there an exact “middle”? The inherent subjectivity of picking and choosing these titles leads to what other problems?
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Song Ta
(b. 1988, Guangdong province) currently works in Guangzhou. His recent solo exhibitions include “The Loveliest Guy” (Beijing Commune, 2014); “Oridin of Inequality” (Yangtze River Space, Wuhan, 2013); ”My Ten favorite Doctors” (Arrow Factory, Beijing, 2012); and “Gray Area” (Obseration Society, Guangzhou, 2011). Group exhibitions presenting his work include “ON|OFF: China’s Young Artists in Concept and Pratice” (Ullens Center for Contemporary Art, Beijing, 2013).
Fiona He
Managing editor of Artforum.com.cn. Fiona He conducted research for the Asia Art Archive in Mainland China from 2008 to 2014. She is a freelance art writer and translator.
Guo Juan
Founding member and former Senior Editor of LEAP magazine, Guo Juan is an art critic based in Beijing.
Wu Jianru
Beijing-based curator. She joined LEAP magazine as Senior Editor in 2012.
Zhao Mengsha
Senior Editor of LEAP magazine. Zhao Mengsha works and lives in Beijing.
Luan Zhichao
Editor of Art World, Luan Zhichao currently lives and works in Beijing. Her practice includes criticism, exhibitions, publications and translations. She has translated Five Sisters, Yvonne Rainer: Mind is a Muscle and Photography Today.
Liya Han
Curator and writer based in Beijing. Now She works at Artforum.com.cn, and she is a member of Park Collective.
Ju Baiyu
is a curator and writer based in Beijing. She is currently the art columnist of Hong Kong Economis Journal. Ju founded the non-profit art organization A307 in October, 2014.
Chao Jiaxing
(b. 1984, Shanghai) received an MA from the College of Fine Arts, Shanghai University in 2010 and is the former Curator/Managing Director of Shanghai Institute of Visual Art. His writings can be found in Artforum, Numero, Randian-Online, LEAP, and Art China.
New Century Art Foundation (NCAF)
Founded by art collector Mr. Wang Bing in early 2014, New Century Art Foundation (NCAF) aims to study and promote Chinese contemporary art. In addition to the existing art system, NCAF will do supportive and supplementary work for the development of Chinese contemporary art. Through observation, research, and cooperation with good art institutions, NCAF will provide multiple platforms to promote young artists’ creations.
http://www.ncartfoundation.org
UCCA
The Ullens Center for Contemporary Art (UCCA) is an independent, not-for-profit art center serving a global Beijing public. Located at the heart of Beijing’s 798 Art District, it was founded by the Belgian collectors Guy and Myriam Ullens and opened in November 2007. Through a diverse array of exhibitions with artists Chinese and international, established and emerging, as well as a wide range of public programs, UCCA aims to promote the continued development of the Chinese art scene, foster international exchange, and showcase the latest in art and culture to hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.