By: Anne Schulze
Tiange Chen is an artist from Beijing. She firmly believes that we should not be constrained by labels; instead, we should bravely break traditional boundaries, as everything in life is interconnected, including art. Chen believes that art has the power to bring together all things in life that share an intrinsic connection. The central theme of her work revolves around the concept of "existence" and the profound question of what it means to live in this world. This philosophical inquiry drives her creative process, pushing her to delve deep into the human condition and our shared experiences.
Tiange Chen had two works exhibited in Peony Pavilion, hosted by Not Found Space in Shenzhen, China, back in 2021. Not Found Space is a cultural space that combines art exhibitions and cultural activities, located on Xiangshan East Street in Nanshan District, Shenzhen. It regularly hosts various art exhibitions, theater festivals, lectures, workshops, and other activities, providing the public with a platform to experience the charm of art and culture. The Space not only showcases contemporary artworks but also engages the audience in reflecting on the relationship between reality and imagination, tradition and modernity through different art forms such as theater and new media art.
The exhibition Peony Pavilion featured two of Tiange Chen’s works: "The Lemon Girl" and "The Waves of Time." Both pieces belong to the same series, exploring themes of life, existence, and choices. In today's era, there is pervasive criticism of individuals and society. The term "sour" has long since transcended its literal taste-related meaning. "The Lemon Girl" conveys a mindset of being in a period of hesitation, representing the confusion of stepping into society and the fantasies about future life. While there are complaints and negative emotions, there is also a strong belief in a promising future and the beauty of the world. On the other hand, "The Waves of Time" expresses how, in this society, it is challenging to find time for personal reflection. There always seems to be an invisible force pushing us forward, wave after wave, without end. In this relentless progression, not moving forward means being overwhelmed, and in the struggle to keep going, one often loses their sense of self.
The overarching theme of this exhibition is the artist's response to reality through their works, likening them to the artist's dreams. Chen’s works are more of a feedback to society. The phrase "Youyuan Jingmeng" (The Peony Pavilion) can be thought of here, where what awakens her is a "nightmare." The changes in the global environment and the development of the pandemic have placed people in a state of great unease, anxiety, and uncertainty. However, what is unique about Chen’s work is that she chose to use bold bright colors instead of mundane color shades.
Bright colors always represent hope and optimism. Even in times of stress and uncertainty, Chen aims to convey a positive force and an expectation for the future through her works. Bright colors are a way to resist negative emotions and reflect her belief in the beautiful aspects of life. Also, high-brightness colors attract the viewer's attention, encouraging them to delve deeper into the emotions and stories behind the works. The contrast and conflict of colors also more strongly convey the artist's inner conflicts and struggles, creating visual tension. This tension reflects the coexistence of pressure and hope in real life, helping the audience to better resonate with and understand the messages conveyed by the works. The use of bright colors is not just for visual appeal but also to convey hope and strength while expressing anxiety and worry, demonstrating her optimistic attitude towards the future.
The work combines specific imagery, such as lemons, with abstract patterns, like feathers and decorative lines, to create a dreamlike atmosphere. This approach allows viewers to interpret the work from different perspectives, thereby sparking more thoughts and resonance. Overall, the piece successfully conveys the artist's reflection on real life and optimistic expectations for the future through bold use of color and symbolically rich patterns. It is not only visually captivating but also provides profound insights on emotional and intellectual levels.
