He Xiangyu
The creation practice of He Xiangyu can be deemed as a material test field and concept lab of individual, social and political themes. As an artist who grows up in the rapid marketization phase of China, He Xiangyu tries to represent or guide sense by virtue of conversion of objects.
The "Coca Cola Plan" (2009-2012) embodies the concepts of manufacturing and consumption by virtue of deep material conversion, explores Coca Cola as a kind of drinkable liquid to translate the stimulation brought by mouth filled with foam into the solid.
The concepts of changes of materials and time are still embodied in the "Tank Plan" (2011-2013). Similarly, the "Tank Plan" depends on coordination of long-time labor force and takes labor force as a guide in practice.
In other works, individual experience becomes the starting point of He Xiangyu. "Dental Plan" (2012-present) represents an exploration for touch in different visual forms. After over three years of investigation and practice, 20 sets of paper paintings and 1 set of copper sculpture are created to make sense of tongue touching the internal space of oral cavity, providing another order to engage with perception in a participatory and concrete manner.
Video installation "turtle, lion and bear" (2015) for the Biennales de Lyon brings people to a general body sensing space, tries to promote a basal common ground, that is, looking at each other and sensuality. It discusses the possibility after removing civilization and the recognizable identity characteristics.
He Xiangyu entered the final of 2014 Pinchuk Future Generation Art Prize, won the Best Young Artist Award of Art China 2016 CCAA and the Award for Emerging Artist of 2016 ARTNET. His works have been collected by Rubell Family in America, Kunstmuseum Bern in the Switzerland, Sigg Collection in the Switzerland, Pinault Collection in Fance, White Rabbit Gallery in Sydney, American Domus Collection, Germany Boros Private Collection, Long Museum in Shanghai of China, Germany Stiftung Mercator, Beijing M WOODS Art Museum in China and Beijing Sishang Art Museum in China.
