Modern Chinese Art the Talk at Chappaqua Library

Patrons of the Chappaqua Library gathered to hear artist and art historian Marcy B. Freedman give a talk on Chinese contemporary art.

To lay the groundwork for a thorough understanding of art in China today, Freedman on Wednesday provided an overview of the factors which have greatly influenced contemporary Chinese artists, many of whom endured Mao Zedong’s rule and the Cultural Revolution. During this time only socialist art - that which served society - was permitted.

Today, although artists enjoy greater freedom, constraints abound as seen most recently in the work and life of Ai Weiwei. This internationally renowned artist is currently not allowed to leave the country and is forbidden to use the internet.

Freedman highlighted several artists and showed slides of their work to illustrate the unique aspects of Chinese contemporary art. She noted that many of these artists “are referencing history.”

Socialist images with Western logos are prevalent in Wang Guangyi’s paintings. Zhang Xiaogang begins with old photos from the Cultural Revolution; adding color and lines. “Stunningly, beautiful,” is Freedman’s take on his work. Yue Minjun composes his own version of classical works. In one of his paintings, Chinese figures are depicted in a facsimile of Delacroix’s “Liberty Leading the People.”

Freedman observed that Yue Minjun’s Freedom Leading the People was made by “translating it to his vocabulary.”

Performance art is also being practiced by many Chinese artists. Breathing, a piece by Song Dong was performed first in Tiananmen Square. On a frigid night, he lay prostrate on the ground and saw a trace of his breath which he interpreted as proof that his “effort was effective.” This act was repeated on a pond where there was no evidence of his breath. Freedman explained that the artist has attributed these differences to his antagonistic relationship to the Square and his harmonious relationship to nature.

Chinese art and artists are in the limelight. The American art galleries Pace and Gagosian have opened satellite locations in Beijing and Hong Kong, respectively. Ai Weiwei’s photos were recently shown at the Asia Society. In Westchester, an exhibit of Chinese contemporary photography will be held at the Katonah Museum of Art in March.