Asking Some Questions

Like everything else, art is becoming increasingly globalized, but does that mean leaving regional and national considerations behind? This exhibition aims to champion the view that contemporary art made in Asia should be seen as “contemporary art” rather than “contemporary Asian art.” The theme is a strange choice given how distinctly and irrefutably Asian most of the Chinese, Japanese, and Korean pieces are. Given that there is plenty of art coming out of Shanghai not readily identifiable as “Chinese,” a case certainly could have been made. However, a flashing Sickle & Hammer, illuminating Coca-Cola-stamped red guards is neither universal nor creative.

Too many of the Chinese pieces in this exhibit are mired in the clichéd, propaganda imagery. Anyone who has not gotten past the socialist-chic phase should just get their fix in the back alleys of Moganshan Lu. However, a notable and refreshing deviation from the norm is Yang Jing’s work reflecting on the nature and form of dolls, set against a classical backdrop. The doll paintings are among the few that transcend the Asian / Western art barrier that the exhibit is purportedly attacking. Moving along, Chiho Aoshima utilizes anime influences and graphic design to take the landscape genre in a chimerical new direction. Takashi Murakama’s 272 takes a monster that wouldn’t seem out of place on a graffiti wall and transposes it onto a gloomy, abstract background. Despite some dangerously high levels of kawaii, many of the featured Japanese artists have staked out new territory. Likewise, Yang Jing and Xu Heng’s strong, emotional works give hope for a new direction in Chinese art. So is this Asia? Indubitably. The good and the bad.

Cameron Willard

DETAILS

When: Through Sunday, Oct. 5
Where: 39 Maoming Bei Lu
茂名北路39号
Tel: 5228-7550