Themed on “Homogeny|Isomerism” and curated by Dr. Ge Yujun, Postgraduate Supervisor of the Central Academy of Fine Arts, an exhibition featuring Gao Yang’s recent creations was unveiled at Cheng Center for Contemporary Art on 31 July, 2022. This can be regarded as an extension and transformation of Gao’s identity from a designer to an artist.

It consists of several series of bamboo installations including “Cube”, “Perspective Cylinder”, “Space Installation” and so on. The nature and feelings around the material bamboo have been applied by Gao Yang into his discussions on two concepts of “material” and “space”. A cross-boundary, multi-dimensional and futuristic visual feast was forged by Gao to usher in a fascinating “rediscovery of bamboo.”

Exhibition View

Gao Yang, who majored in Design and had spent 7 years studying at Hochschule der Bildenden Künste Saar and Akademie der Bildenden Künste München in Germany, and obtained a doctorate degree in design theories and education from the Central Academy of Fine Arts. Since 2007, he has been teaching in the School of City Design, Central Academy of Fine Arts. He has been devoted to creations and research on contemporary Chinese design for many years, and he also has established a new interdisciplinary major that integrating art, space and products. He values the improvement of handicraft skills while emphasizing the intervention and integration of diversified cultures and art, thus his teaching practices that are compatible with the dual systems of society and education have been well conducted.

The Opening Ceremony

This exhibition is not so much an adjustment of his identity from designer to artist but rather presents an extension and transformation of his artistic concepts, practical experience and craftsman quality. As an artist with an academic background in design, Gao highlights his insight into space, geography, media and their implied cultural attributes and social implications in his creations. He does not pay close attention to the properties of the material itself, but he also actively emphasizes the mutual transformation between natural and industrial materials, as well as the heterogeneous properties of the same medium in various fields, all of which constitute important ideological resources for his artistic creations.

Installation View of IsomerismInstallation View of RadiationInstallation View of 8 o'clock CubeInstallation View of Origin B

As Gao Yang stated, “Media like bamboo have not only been regarded as the symbols of technology and the vehicle for culture, but they also need the infusion and interpretation of the epochal spirit. It formulates a thinking about the time and space which is neither modern in the West or traditionally inherited...” It is exactly through this thread that Gao Yang has embarked on a journey of “rediscovering bamboo” that he has worked and accumulated for many years.

The Group Photo of Honored GuestsProf. Tan Ping from Chinese National Academy of ArtsProf. Wang Shaojun, former Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of the Central Academy of Fine ArtsWang Xiaolin, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of the Central Academy of Fine ArtsDr. Ge Yujun, Associate Professor & Postgraduate Supervisor of the Central Academy of Fine Arts and Curator for this exhibitionMs. Sun Hongjuan, Founder of Cheng Center for Contemporary ArtArtist Gao YangMs. Sheng Wanwan, the love ambassador of the 9958 Art Healing Program and the Head of New Media Department of China Intellectual Property Magazine

Prof. Tan Ping from Chinese National Academy of Arts, Prof. Wang Shaojun, former Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of the Central Academy of Fine Arts, Wang Xiaolin, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of the Central Academy of Fine Arts, Dr. Ge Yujun, Associate Professor & Postgraduate Supervisor of the Central Academy of Fine Arts and Curator for this exhibition attended the opening ceremony. Dr. Ge Yujun and Ms. Sun Hongjuan, Founder of Cheng Center for Contemporary Art respectively delivered a speech. It was presided over by Ms. Sheng Wanwan, the love ambassador of the 9958 Art Healing Program and the Head of New Media Department of China Intellectual Property Magazine. The exhibition will remain on view till 21 August, 2022.

About the exhibition

Curator: Ge Yujun

Artistic Director: Li Zheng

Executive Curators: Huo Xintian and Wu Fan

Dates: 31 July – 21 August, 2022

Venue: Cheng Center for Contemporary Art 

Courtesy of Cheng Center for Contemporary Art, edited by Sue/CAFA ART INFO.