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Apr 20, 2008 9:10 pm US/Mountain
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Golden Art Center Hosts Chinese Exhibit
GOLDEN, Colo. (CBS4) ―
The Foothills Art Center in Golden is hosting an exhibit created by Chinese performance artists.
Artist Wong Yan uses his body in place of traditional Chinese scrolls for his canvas.
"He has substituted his body instead of the paper format believing that it brings him closer to nature," said Julie Segraves with the Asian Art Coordinating Council. "And that his body is a much more effective artistic vehicle."
Another artist, Li Wei, uses ropes and pulleys to hoist and hold his subjects in place to take the photograph. He then Photoshops in the final artwork to create images which reflect his feelings about China's rapidly developing economy.
In one, the subject appears to leaping from the 29th floor of a modern Beijing office building. It's supposed to reflect how many workers want to escape the tedium of their jobs.
"There's more freedom, there's more economic opportunity, but at the same time there's always this pervasive feeling that at any time, all could be taken away from you and the long arm of the Chinese government can kind of stretch out and grab you and put you in your place," Segraves said about another photo.
Segraves has her own explanation for Li Wei's work.
"I call him the Chinese Evel Kneivel because he's always doing what appears to be seemingly impossible feats."
Li Wei himself explains he is trying to convene universal feelings. For one piece he writes, "This feeling of having fallen headfirst into something and of having nothing firm under the feet is familiar to everyone. One doesn't have to fall from another planet to feel it."
But Li Wei does not limit himself to just the work environment he also tackles the challenges of love with a series of photographs depicting a kiss gone wrong.
Li Wei writes preserving family is important to the Chinese culture. "Even though our family is our priority, we wonder just how much can we put up with."
The exhibit "Body Art: New Photography from China" is at the center through May 4.
Preserving family is important to the Chinese culture. "Even though our family is our priority, we wonder just how much can we put up with."
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