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.

xiaodi zhu’s 'criticality' installation explores our memories of the physical world designboom
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.

xiaodi zhu’s 'criticality' installation explores our memories of the physical world designboom
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.

xiaodi zhu’s 'criticality' installation explores our memories of the physical world designboom

exterior detail © luo weihang

xiaodi zhu’s 'criticality' installation explores our memories of the physical world designboom
elevational view © luo weihang

xiaodi zhu’s 'criticality' installation explores our memories of the physical world designboom
elevational view © luo weihang

xiaodi zhu’s 'criticality' installation explores our memories of the physical world designboom
corridor © luo weihang

xiaodi zhu’s 'criticality' installation explores our memories of the physical world designboom
interior view © luo weihang

xiaodi zhu’s 'criticality' installation explores our memories of the physical world designboom
interior view © luo weihang

xiaodi zhu’s 'criticality' installation explores our memories of the physical world designboom
axonometric view

xiaodi zhu’s 'criticality' installation explores our memories of the physical world designboom
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.

 

edited by: lynne myers | designboom