Istanbul Modern hosts Chinese artists

ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News

The show features works from artists such as Cao Jigang, Chen Xi, Ding Yi, Gao Rong, Feng Mengbo, Liu Jianhua, Liu Liyun, Liu Xiaodong, Miao Xiaochun, Qin Yufen, Rong Rong and Inri, Wang Dongling, Xu Bing, Yang Fudong

Istanbul Modern is preparing to host a contemporary selection from the Chinese art world with a new exhibition, “Inner and Outer Transformation: A View on Chinese Contemporary Art.”

On display between Sept. 21 and Nov. 25 in honor of the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the People’s Republic of China and Turkey, the exhibition attempts to reinterpret traditional Chinese culture and philosophy through contemporary techniques, new discoveries and path-breaking approaches.

According to Istanbul Modern’s press release: “Traditional Chinese culture accepts external changes with a tolerant attitude, while adhering to the pursuit of internal independence and values. When unique views on nature, philosophy and contemporary reality collide, there arises a vivid and innovative synergy, as well as an exciting creative force.

“The exhibition ultimately seeks to interrogate how contemporary Chinese artists conceive of art, how their creative works reflect Chinese culture, and how they expect to inspire the world.”

The exhibition at Istanbul Modern revolves around the theme of “inner and outer transformation,” a dynamic balance and insistent attitude that focuses on the internal exploration and external application of traditional Chinese values in today’s world.

The show features works from artists such as Cao Jigang, Chen Xi, Ding Yi, Gao Rong, Feng Mengbo, Liu Jianhua, Liu Liyun, Liu Xiaodong, Miao Xiaochun, Qin Yufen, Rong Rong and Inri, Wang Dongling, Xu Bing, Yang Fudong, and Zhan Wang.

Brought about through collaboration between the China International Exhibition Agency of the China Arts and Entertainment Group and the Istanbul Museum of Modern Art, the show also presents an opportunity to extend the mutual understanding and friendship between the two countries. Organized as part of the 2012 Chinese Cultural Year in Turkey, the exhibition is supported by the Chinese Culture Ministry, the Turkish Culture and Tourism Ministry and the Chinese Embassy.

Changes in China

The curator of the exhibition, Sun Feng, aims to gather the different artists from different eras of China. Feng says that developments during the last 30 years in China have resulted in significant new tendencies in Chinese art.

The exhibition focuses on the interactions between the inner world of the participating artists and the developments in outside society.

While the outer world looks at the macro world and the concrete things that exist in life, it also questions how things develop, their stages of development, and the environment, the inner world focuses on the micro world, spirit, psychology, time, and feelings.

“We are trying to reveal how the Chinese culture reflects the creative works, and how those works inspire the world. We will focus on these questions,” curator Sun Feng said.

The exhibition focuses on three different themes. The first is the creation of cultural memory, the second is focused on culture and identity and how it is affected by globalization, while the third and last theme focuses on urban transformation and the socio-economic condition of the world.