Finding the Eternal in the Transitory: Contemporary Chinese Sculpture, Spatiality, Temporality, the Fourth Dimension and Beyond

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Specialists in Chinese art history often point out that, until modern times, sculpture, as a medium, was less significant in Chinese history, excluding of course, bronze ritual vessels and ceramics. Further, they posit a tight link between Chinese sculpture and the calligraphic tradition and its dependence on text and line.

The work of contemporary artists, Cai Guo-Qiang, Wenda Gu, and Xu Bing shares in this tendency, frequently addressing the relationship between text and image. Their work however links to traditional scroll and screen paintings in more subtle and profound ways as well. The three dimensional works of these artists also emphasize the compelling temporality of scroll and screen paintings evoking at the same time, a powerful quality of architectural space. While these elements suggest an awareness of the transience of the three dimensional world that may also reflect Buddhism they continue a significant tradition in Chinese art vitally important in contemporary art and life.

This paper will explore the work of Cai Guo-Qiang, Wenda Gu and Xu Bing in context with these artists’ exploration of three-dimensionality, temporality, and space particularly in context with traditional modes of pictorial expression in China, ink painting, calligraphy and sculpture.

Stream: Aesthetics, Design

Paper: A paper has not yet been submitted.

Kimberly Allen-Kattus is an art historian teaching at Northern Kentucky University in Highland Heights, Kentucky. An Associate Professor and Area Coordinator in the Department of Visual Arts, Kimberly has taught at N.K.U. since 1981. Kimberly Allen-Kattus earned her Masters Degree in Art History and her Ph.D. in early modern European Art, Feminist and Jungian Theories. More recently Kimberly has shifted her focus to contemporary art with an emphasis on contemporary Asian artists. She is particularly fascinated with the relationship of contemporary Asian, especially Chinese art, and its relationships to the literati tradition and scroll painting