How Liang Shuo used recycled materials to build a mountain in Baden Baden

Author : Lucille Enel
Published on : July 30, 2017 | Last modified on : October 30th, 2017 at 9:02 am

This is Chinese artist Liang Shuo ́s first institutional solo exhibition in Europe, and it transformed the veneral exhibition space of Staatliche Kunsthalle Baden-Baden into an experimental ground. The artist didn’t bring anything with him. This can be understood as a commentary on the abundant production of things in China. He brought no paintings, no sculptures, no videos, no photographs, and no other objects, but looked for his materials on-site instead.

Liang Shuo DISTANT tantamount MOUNTAIN 2017 Installation Dimensions variable Wood screws wire Image © stephan baumann karlsruhe www.bild-raum.com Installation view Staatliche Kunsthalle Baden-Baden

“China’s rapidly changing society has consistently presented new obstacles and challenged our capability to comprehend our own reality or ability to act freely. Liang’s exploration of recycled materials can be read as a political gesture, particularly with regard to the contradictions they pose to the refined gallery space. He also invites reflections on the built environment in general.”

— Yuan Fuca for ArtForum about **Liang Shuo, Temple of Candour, 2016 exhibited at Beijing Commune Gallery**

Image © stephan baumann karlsruhe www.bild-raum.com Installation view Staatliche Kunsthalle Baden-Baden

In the process of setting up the exhibition a theme emerged from these materials, one that depends entirely on the circumstances in which it is created. Over a series of exhibitions, the artist has refined this approach, in which he adheres strictly to a working principle, which he prefers to having a pre-conceived idea of what the final work should look like. The found materials will be organised according to a set of rules based on traditional Chinese ink wash painting, where there are, for example, specific rules for the order in which individual branches are painted, which then make up the actual shape of a tree.

Image © stephan baumann karlsruhe www.bild-raum.com Installation view Staatliche Kunsthalle Baden-Baden

In his exhibitions, not only does Liang Shuo combine that which already exists but the artist also achieves to create new poetic realities from that which he has found. These are rooted in old traditions but connect with the global reality of today as well. The show is open until October 15th.

Image © stephan baumann karlsruhe www.bild-raum.com Installation view Staatliche Kunsthalle Baden-Baden

Image © stephan baumann karlsruhe www.bild-raum.com Installation view Staatliche Kunsthalle Baden-Baden

Liang Shuo (b.1976 in Tianjin in northern China) is a Beijing-based artist. He studied Sculpture at the Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA) in Bejing and graduated in 2000. In addition to a large number of solo exhibitions in China, his works have been displayed internationally in numerous group exhibitions.

http://www.kunsthalle-baden-baden.de