Shu: Reinventing Books in Contemporary Chinese Art
书：中国当代艺术的再创

The book—as subject, inspiration, or artistic medium—lies behind some of the best-known works of the Chinese avant-garde. Since the 1980s, these artists have undertaken many book-related projects. The high frequency and impressive creativity of their projects demonstrate the important roles that books have played as sources for artistic imagination and visual vocabulary in contemporary Chinese art. More than thirty works from twenty-two prominent Chinese artists were presented at this exhibit, illuminating complex relations between traditional and diversified artistic approaches. This exhibition was the first serious examination of the influence of books in contemporary Chinese art and demonstrated how contemporary Chinese artists conducted artistic experiments to engage both China’s cultural heritage and modern concerns. Structured around three themes, the first section, “Reimagining Tradition,” included works that derive visual elements from traditional Chinese books and painting/calligraphy albums. The second section, “Negotiating History and Memory,” was more closely connected to the historical experiences of contemporary Chinese artists and examined the roles that books have played in education, globalization, and politics. The third section, “Displaying Books,” consisted of a few works that reflected the way books are “displayed” in public and private spaces.