xu min

experiencing 'the body as landscape' calls for a special
sensitivity for processes, forms, and materials.
accordingly, the exhibition follows neither a
chronological nor thematic order but, in the first place,
seeks a dialogue with its spatial environment.
informed by the transitory character of the works
exhibited, the interplay of closeness and distance
starts a dialogue which subtly expands and modifies
the metaphorical statements made by the individual
pieces.

designboom talked with xu min, the widow of the
late chen zhen at the press preview of
'chen zhen. body as landscape',
on february 23rd, 2008 at the mart museum in
rovereto, italy.
(xu min spoke in french during our interview.
her words have been transcribed and translated
into english).

xu min is standing in front of the 'purification room'.
it was first created in 2000 in collaboration with xu min.
chen zhen introduced this piece as a 'monochrome tomb':
'the natural material I use - helps figure out the source
which the objects come from as well as the place where
they will go back after their circulation through the society.
the purifying elements sacrifice those objects
after their utilisation, and sublimate a latent spirit;
they provoke a new destiny to the fatal conclusion of
these objects'.