SHANGHAI.- The K11 Art Foundation has announced the opening of Metamorphosis of the Virtual 5 + 5 in Shanghai, an exhibition that not only presents a new wave of Chinese and French digital art, but aims also to instil forward-thinking discussion on change and societal advancement by elevating the art genre to a new dimension.
The exhibition, featuring major pieces by internationally renowned and emerging Chinese and French artists, showcases spectacular immersive and interactive installations that offer a multi- sensorial experience – simultaneously physical, spiritual and emotional – with a few of the art pieces specially developed for the chi K11 art museum in the Shanghai K11 Art Mall.
Metamorphosis of the Virtual 5 + 5 is curated to create new cultural dialogues between artists and the community and conjure a new curiosity and understanding of the digital art form, as well as disprove the common misconception that Chinese digital artists lag behind their Western peers.
The exhibition is organised as part of the official programme of the 50th anniversary of Franco- Sino diplomatic relations, along with the upcoming co-curated exhibition between KAF and Palais de Tokyo in Paris during FIAC in October and the “Master of Impressionism – Claude Monet” exhibition that recently closed with resounding success.
Adrian Cheng, Founder and Chairman of KAF commented: “The juxtaposition of Metamorphosis of the Virtual 5 + 5 and Master of Impressionism, though representing art movements developed centuries apart, highlights a common notion that art driven by a pioneering spirit and innovative power can influence how its public views society. We believe this exhibition, like the Monet exhibition before, will strike a chord with the general public, as the art pieces inspire us with new avenues for reflection and self-realisation. Aided by evolving technologies and the internet, we can be moved and empowered to make a difference to our world, however small the change is.”
The exhibition introduces a much-needed platform for discussion on digital art, a more obscure genre in the context of mainstream art, but nonetheless a critical component of the Chinese contemporary art movement. Challenges in the promotion of digital art in China can be in part attributed to a relatively fragmented Chinese contemporary art landscape, including limited educational, training and exchange mechanisms.
Mr. Cheng added, “Metamorphosis as a concept not only underscores the thrust of Chinese contemporary art development today, it also illustrates what KAF is committed to achieve in the long term to realise our vision of art.”
Metamorphosis of the Virtual 5 + 5 is an expression originally created by the French writer and philosopher Christine Buci-Glucksmann in an essay she wrote about Pia MYrvoLD, one of the artists participating in the exhibition. Apart from its evocative and poetic qualities, it suggests that we deal with an artistic substance that is "alive" and in constant change. The idea of metamorphosis engages us in an endless and generative process or story.
The new media art showcase will encourage the audience to explore and ponder upon creativity in five highlighted areas: Flux, Life Forms, Cityscape, Morphogenetic and Avatar. Alongside the exhibition, KAF will also organise seminars and workshops for art lovers and students of art to learn more about digital art.
