Qu Guangci
Northernmost Country
22 November–13 December 2014
Today Art Museum
No.32 Baiziwan Road, Chaoyang District
Beijing
China
www.todayartmuseum.com
The sculptures of Qu Guangci are like words that tell a tale. It is not only narrative but also filled ingeniously with obscure allegories. The ambiguous attitude in the opposing state between the subject and the space of the sculpture becomes more direct and explicit. Besides the rearranging and parody of existing works such as art works, political figures, iconic figures, posters and public events, included in this exhibition are completely new works that expand to the visualized representation of the mass behavior in the current society.
In the Chinese classic literature Liezi-Tang Wen, there is a mystic “Northernmost Country,” where the land is flat but sterile, the climate mild but no animals nor wind, rain, frost or snow. People are soft at heart while weak in body. They do not work or think, nor do they have emotions. No hunger or satiety, no illness or diseases, they have no mind at all. They just wander leisurely and sing beautiful songs all day long. This country in the utmost north might be the utopia the little fat figures in the works wish to build. When we are doomed to fight for our living and strain to write down our so-called thoughts and spirits, we get tired in the end and the illusive dream is to cherish happiness without thoughts or mind.
The retrospective exhibition of Qu Guangci, Northernmost Country, will take place in Today Art Museum. It will be divided into two exhibition sections. The art creative space is represented by the abstract working environment and original works, while the art living space tends to restore the sociality of sculptures by combining X+Q Art pieces and furniture from Domus-Tiandi. The exhibition will present the comprehensive artistic thoughts, exploration and the path of life of the artist in the last 20 years through a detailed documentation and narration. As the closing exhibition of 2014 season, Northernmost Country is curated by Mr. Gao Peng, Director of Today Art Museum. With planning clues such as temperature, energy and attitude, the exhibition strives to investigate Qu’s controversial dual identity of sculptor and founder of X+Q Art. It will officially open to the public on 22 November.
Martell has committed to contemporary art development in China and supported exceptional artists at home and abroad in a long run. It started its collaboration with Qu Guangci, who created an art installation for Martell Cordon Bleu Centenary Celebration in 2012. This time, Martell will continue to exclusively sponsor Qu Guangci’s solo exhibition, which demonstrates a strong association between Martell and art, and presents a unique visual experience to all art lovers.
