xiaodi zhu’s ‘criticality’ installation explores our memories of the physical world
the artwork is composed of two metal boxes, the exterior of which is emblazoned with countless random objects.
ZXD architects has released xiaodi zhu’s most recent artwork entitled ‘criticality’, which is exhibiting in the ‘unknown city: china contemporary architects and installation art exhibition’ in pingshan art museum, shenzhen. the piece sees countless random objects emblazoned on a metal structure as the concept explores the idea of new things meaning death of the old.
view of the entire ‘criticality’ installation © luo weihang
xiaodi zhu looks in particular at cities, and proposes that the creation of a new cityscape often begins by covering the old. ‘criticality’ also examines the point in which a new city and its old counterpart balance each other out. the artwork seeks to express this urban transition process in a concrete manner, highlighting the entangling chaos through the juxtaposition of objects.
objects emblazoned haphazardly on the wire metal frame © luo weihang
the installation is formed from two boxes. the external wire mesh frame is decorated with various, seemingly random, objects, representing the memories which we hold of the physical world and how they overlap as time passes. from this exterior, visitors can enter into the inner box where they are immersed in a room clad of mirrors, creating boundless reflections of themselves in the space. in addition to the idea of memory and transition, the work also aims to highlight the concept of an unknown and uncertain future.
exterior detail © luo weihang
elevational view © luo weihang
elevational view © luo weihang
corridor © luo weihang
interior view © luo weihang
interior view © luo weihang
axonometric view
plan of the installation
project info:
project name: ‘criticality’
project location: pingshan art museum, shenzhen, china
lead architects: xiaodi zhu
design team: nan zhao, tiantian mao, jiayu ma
exhibition executive: di qi
consultants: FANG media
gross built area: 13 m2
completion year: 2019
designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.
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