ARTIST FOCUS: LI WEI DEFYING GRAVITY AT THE RINGLING

Fan Zhang, Associate Curator of Asian Art

View Li Wei’s work in the exhibition Seeing the Unseen Through February 28, 2015, Museum of Art, Searing Wing

A startling image by contemporary Chinese artist Li Wei shows a bodiless head of a lone, young man roving through Tian’anmen Square, a landmark symbolizing China’s political and cultural center. The artist created this iconic image by carrying a 3-foot long mirror with his head emerging from a hole in the center. The reflection in the mirror was captured by the camera’s lens to create a striking and disconcerting image. “We see ourselves and our surrounding from a new point of view,” said Li Wei, who found this distinctive means to challenge the perception of truth and urge viewers to explore the multiple realities of China’s complex society today.

In his ongoing series “To Fall” and “To Fly”, Li Wei also incorporates installations and performances into art photography with the help of wires, scaffolding, and cranes. By using software to erase some details, he presents various compelling images of falling or gravity-defying moments, such as this photo that shows the artist in a superman-like pose after crashing into the ground with his legs sticking out rigidly. This scene suggests a common psychological state of the Chinese during a time of unprecedented social transition. Often with no other choice, they must be prepared to dive into the unknown and deal with the unexpected. Images of the missing body and the hidden head also reflect the artist’s feelings of alienation in an increasingly materialistic society and his concern with issues of identity, freedom, friendship and existence in a rapidly changing urban environment.

Li Wei Artist Performance

November 17

10:00 AM Ca’ d’Zan

2:00 PM Museum of Art Courtyard

Free to the Public

Cameras encouraged

Li Wei is coming to The Ringling Museum to offer a fresh take on his conceptual photography in front of Ca’ d’zan and behind the museum courtyard. Li’s work often features gravity-defying activities mixing performance and installation, with photography. Bring your own camera and prepare to be shocked by Li Wei’s unexpected stunning performance! This new work will become part of the exhibition Seeing the Unseen

Li Wei, Freedom at the 25th Story, 2004, C-print, 150 x 150 cm

Li Wei, Mirror Series: Tian’anmen, 2000, C-print, 150 x 90 cm

Li Wei, Li Wei Falls to the Earth, 2002, C-print, 120 x 212 cm

Photos courtesy of the artist