Culture
Contemporary art is an art that offers current and fresh point of view and perspective, and usually utilize new techniques as well as new media. Current wave of contemporary Chinese art is because of negative influence of government and institute. There are many contributors in China who have played an effectual role in improving the condition of society and also condition of art world in China. Chinese culture’s landscape has been continuously shaped by search and achievement of power. However, in an effort to ensure maintenance of power, and getting control over Chinese contemporary art production after culture revolution, the ruling communist party forcibly decreased rapid expansion of creativity that was made certain by global market, which paved the way to consistent cycles of re-introduction, re-evaluation, and re-invention. Chinese contemporary artists Ai Wei and Zhang Xiaogang have played significant role in bringing Cultural Revolution in China. The hunger for self-expression as well as for freedom that is found in works of these artists allowed them to bring Cultural Revolution in China.
The artistic productions of Ai WeiWei and Zhang Xiagang have tried to find the impact of traditions and culture in their identity. They have attempted to find the meaning of things from personal perspectives so that their meanings and relations can be explored in new concept of society. Ai WeiWei has focused on exploring association between heritage and consumerism. He has tried to find monetary value that is put on country’s heritage. Their artistic productions during cultural period helped in development of knowledge in people. As a result of increase in knowledge, the investment made on buying art increased. However, previously, the work of Chinese artists was not valued in an effective manner. In Zhang Xiagang’s art, memory has acted as analogue for the historical events. It played useful role in examining history, by focusing on memory’s structure.
Xiaogang has tried to produce painting according to the style of Socialist Realism that was approved by the government. His painting reflected his own life and thoughts regarding meaning of life. The artistic production of Ai WeiWei have emphasized on modifications of surroundings of everyday life with the public structures in city, in country, and in domestic structures under socialism. However, Xiagang’s pictures have effectively expressed and rationalized the experience of living under socialist rule.
The activities of Ai were symbolically associated with internet contention or with popularity of internet activism, which helped in combing student protestors in China with overseas assistance and Chinese Diaspora. Student protesters built statue of Goddess of Democracy, which indicated visual reinforcement of foreigners for Western Liberal Democracy, and protest of students against the Communist government. The artistic productions of Ai have made engagement in social media and civil activism possible, which in turn exerted positive influence on condition of China, and contributed to the progress and growth of country. Ai WeiWei was, however, active in installation, sculpture, architecture, film, photography, political, social, and cultural criticism.
The architectural work of Al WeiWei comprised of Bird’s Nest in Beijing National Stadium for Olympics of 2008. But, later, Ai distanced from this project. This project was his last official involvement and engagement with architecture. Another noteworthy, architectural work of Ai is ORDOS 100, which is a project in inner Mongolia meant for building 100 villas, whose designs are made by 100 architects from about 27 countries. His political activism can be considered from the fact that he began a civilian investigation in the year 2008 in order to find the list of children who were declared death in Sichvan Earthquake. The list was kept secret by concerned authorities.
Ai along with his volunteers gathered 5385 names, completed documentation and posted the list on his blog. His involvement in fine art comprises of sculptures, sunflower seeds, which were made in China, and exhibited in London, and forever Bicicles, which was made up of 100 bikes. Ai WeiWei played significant role in fighting for freedom of thought. He wanted to ensure freedom of thought so that decision making skills can be developed in all individuals. Many Chinese artists were, however, sentenced to jail, and Ai was also aware that same could happen as he could be jailed anytime.
The artistic work of Ai also comprised of freedom of expression, human and individual rights in China at global level. He spoke out against abuse of human rights, and on need of reformation of Chinese society so that global disasters can be prevented. In 2011, Chinese government destroyed Ai’s studio, and Ai was arrested by Police. He was released after 81 days, but all of his blogs and websites were shut down. His organization named ‘fake design’ had to pay 2 million dollars because of being alleged for unpaid taxed. However, several groups were formed at international level in order to support Ai financially as well as morally because Ai played very important role in bringing Cultural Revolution.
In contemporary Chinese art, control is a theme that occurs again and again. Control is a representation of controlling elements of an organization that are associated with the Chinese cultural life. This can be illustrated with an example of Han Dynasty Urn of Ai WeiWei, with the logo of Coca Cola represents how western cooperation can control over everything, which also include control over history. Urn that is 5000 years old has been tattooed with logo of Coca Cola, which gives a historically appealing value and attraction to the piece. The tattooing of urn, however, devaluated it as a cultural artifact, and encourage the viewer to consider the methods in which western corporations have occupied a dominant place in their cultural life, and in everyday activities.
The theme of Western impact on Chinese society can be considered from colored vases. Colored vases comprised of ancient vases of Han dynasty, and vases were dipped in the industrial paints. The surfaces of vases were, however, hided by modern colors, but original form of vases was retained. By retaining original surfaces and appearances of vases, Ai asked observers to ponder on questions associated with authenticity, original artwork meaning and value.
Zhang mentioned that art is just like a drug, once an individual is addicted to it, it is difficult to get rid of it. Zhang’s most of the paintings were portraits of family. However, the figures were mostly dressed in same mannered suits, and there is red blood lines that associate figures in order to represent relations and links between members of the family. The ideas in his paintings came from his memories, experiences, and reality to explain his story as well as emotions. The paintings of Zhang look sullen, which is because he wanted to represent societal issues. But, as a matter of fact, the paintings also have bright colors. His paintings usually, gave sense of dread. Zhang Xiaogang was inspired by European tradition of surrealism, and also by photos of family from the Cultural Revolution period.
Further, paintings of Zhang Xiaogang were associated with the identity motion within collectivism culture in China. He had often used black and white color in his paintings, and his portraits translated photography language into paint. His portraits has also indicated anxiety between public cover and vulnerability at private level, conscience at personal level, and official doctrine. Figures of Xiagang are, however, timeless as well as nameless. There are many western painters who are influence by Zhang’s work. Prominent painters in this regard are Picaaso, Dali, and Richter. Zhang regarded Cultural Revolution as a psychological state instead of historical fact.
The artistic productions of contemporary Chinese artists, namely Zhang Xiagang and Ai WeiWei played an important role in arousing nostalgia with the help of traditional processes such as by focusing on bringing change in culture, and created unforgettable memories. Ai mentioned that life is moving fast but memories can be grasped. Memories move in a high speed. Memories are, however, the earliest things that individuals can commit. The artistic productions of contemporary artists challenge individuals to re-think the beginning of the complicated nation. They also enable individuals to think about the survival of complex nation for many years, and its maintenance. Their work meant for ensuring freedom in the society, and for this they put a lot of effort in their artistic work. They considered freedom as a constant struggle. It is now the duty of people to consider efforts of artists, which were for ensuring protection of freedom, protection of speech, and protection of expression. It is the duty of present generation to communicate the efforts of artists to future generation so that they develop an awareness regarding their work, and play their role for ensuring protection of their work.
