Emerald Tablet - Chen Xiaoyun's solo exhibition

ShanghART Gallery.
Opening Reception: July 18, 2009, 6-8pm
July 19th, 2009 - August 18th, 2009
ShanghART H-space,18 blg. 50 Moganshan Rd. Shanghai
Opening Hours: 1pm-6pm

The exhibition speaks the rule behind desire and fantasies, and the title, Emerald Tablet, relates to a text with 13 proverbs in 1900 BC which purporting to reveal the secret of the primordial substance and its transmutations. It claims to be the work of Hermes Trismegistus ("Hermes the Thrice-Great"), a legendary Egyptian sage or god, variously identified with the Egyptian god Thoth and/or the Greek god Hermes, and the proverbs was worshipped by ancient alchemists.

Three parts separately represents “material”, “soul” and “outer images” with photographs, videos and installations, and the discussion suggests the inner world of beings. Having touched the balance around all mortals and immortals, now, Chen Xiaoyun practices to unfold his attention involved with experimental irony. The artist thinks the rules from the Emerald Tablet work on him too as they guided the ancient alchemists to explore the physical world with strong essence. Moreover, the precious factors in alchemy like “uncertainty” and “frustration” were inherited by art. Chen Xiaoyun speaks his mind carefully with metaphors and scenarios. Like the image of “octopus”, which was given multiple implications like “king” “sun” or “comet”, a power in chaos. Nevertheless, the rigorous order and basis appears whenever the surface was broken through, and the reason of everything runs on the same track.

As what was carved on the Emerald Tablet: As within, so without. As above, so below, bringing with all his faith, efforts and investigation to the unmerciful world, Chen Xiaoyun documented the daily-looking scenes that perhaps will reset your view to the daily life.

 

Artist, Chen Xiaoyun
 


Exhibition views:



From the left: artists Jiang Zhi, ??, Chen Xiaoyun, Chen Wei, Sun Yuan
















Artists Yuan Yuan in the middle, and Yang Fudong on the right.




Artist Zhou Xiaohu in the middle.




Artist Hu Jieming

 

 



 



Installations 
 
 
 


CHEN Xiaoyun
Emerald Tablet No.1
2009
142.5 * 153.0 * 10.0 cm (56" * 60" * 4")
Other | Installation | 

 


CHEN Xiaoyun
Emerald Tablet No.2
2009
202.0 * 120.0 * 10.0 cm (80" * 47" * 4")
Other | Installation | 


 



CHEN Xiaoyun
Emerald Tablet No.3
2009
225.0 * 155.0 * 10.0 cm (89" * 61" * 4")
Other | Installation | 


 
 


CHEN Xiaoyun
Emerald Tablet No.4
2009
280.0 * 155.0 * 10.0 cm (110" * 61" * 4")
Other | Installation | 
 
 



CHEN Xiaoyun
Emerald Tablet No.5
2009
239.0 * 171.0 * 10.0 cm (94" * 67" * 4")
Other | Installation |





CHEN Xiaoyun
Emerald Tablet No.6
2009
300.0 * 160.0 * 10.0 cm (118" * 63" * 4")
Other | Installation | 


 


CHEN Xiaoyun
Emerald Tablet No.7
2009
251.0 * 142.5 * 10.0 cm (99" * 56" * 4")
Other | Installation | 



 


CHEN Xiaoyun
Emerald Tablet No.8
2009
250.0 * 183.0 * 10.0 cm (98" * 72" * 4")
Other | Installation |





CHEN Xiaoyun
Emerald Tablet No.9
2009
173.0 * 119.0 * 10.0 cm (68" * 47" * 4")
Other | Installation |





CHEN Xiaoyun
Emerald Tablet No.10
2009
300.0 * 165.0 * 10.0 cm (118" * 65" * 4")
Other | Installation |






 

CHEN Xiaoyun
Right-angle Turn
2009
180.0 * 144.0 cm (71" * 57")
Photo |





CHEN Xiaoyun
Pig Lady
2009
180.0 * 144.0 cm (71" * 57")
Photo |






CHEN Xiaoyun
Above Spade K
2009
180.0 * 144.0 cm (71" * 57")
Photo |





CHEN Xiaoyun
“方块3”上天堂
2009
115.0 * 143.0 cm (45" * 56")
Photo |





CHEN Xiaoyun
You Always Say If the World is Round
2009
115.0 * 143.0 cm (45" * 56")
Photo |





CHEN Xiaoyun
the Prince Hairtail is Very Angry
2009
115.0 * 143.0 cm (45" * 56")
Photo |




CHEN Xiaoyun
You Can't Leave
2009
144.0 * 180.0 cm (57" * 71")
Photo |




CHEN Xiaoyun
the Soft Fuluyum
2009
144.0 * 180.0 cm (57" * 71")
Photo |





CHEN Xiaoyun
Road Half Road
2009
115.0 * 143.0 cm (45" * 56")
Photo |

 
Night/2.4 KM
Single channel video Ed 6 2009






 

Fire/3000KG
Single channel video Ed 6 2009