li hui: who is afraid of red, amber and green?

‘who’s afraid of red, amber and green?’ museum kunstlicht in de kunst, eindhoven july 17th – october 24th, 2010

‘amber’, 2006 acrylics, neon lamp, stainless steel  60 cm x 240 cm x 120 cm image courtesy of li hui and the ministry of art

chinese light artist li hui‘s latest solo exhibition ‘who’s afraid of red, amber and green?’ features three major pieces consisting of ‘amber’, ‘cage’ and ‘reincarnation’; each of showcase his experimentation with laser and LED technologies.

alternate side

in his show, which also makes a direct reference to the painting series ‘who’s afraid of red, yellow and blue’ by american abstract expressionist barnett newman, li hui leaves the more traditional artistic ways of expression behind him. unlike newman, however,  he does not choose for more abstract work. instead he creates installations in which existing objects or ‘ready-mades’ are placed in a new and unexpected context. his sculptural installations have a monumental touch, and defined by the use of coloured laser lights. thousands of red and green laser lights illuminate the museum’s main exhibition hall but the philosophical and religious background of li hui’s works keep in line with his chinese tradition.

detail

‘reincarnation’, 2007 laser, fog, metal, fabric 200 cm x 110 cm, height flexible image courtesy of the frank cohe

‘reincarnation’ is a bandaged bed being with rising fog and illuminated by red laser lights

‘cage’ is made of green laser lights which surround the visitor according to a random time pattern

li hui in the process of wiring

li hui’s production process

set up of amber

installation setup