Conceptual artist, curator and entrepreneur Xu Zhen is a leading figure among the younger generation of Chinese contemporary artists. His extensive body of work across multiple platforms and media is intended to push boundaries, satirise cultural assumptions and confront a range of socio-political taboos. Xu’s pseudo-documentary 8848 – 1.86 (2005) recounts his team scaling the world’s highest mountain and cutting off its top. The multi-media installation comprises a refrigerated vitrine displaying a snowy peak, video of the expedition, oxygen masks and equipment allegedly used to make the trek. The artist’s claim to have taken part of the mountain to China is a witty and provocative play on foreign perceptions of China’s insensitivity to surrounding nations.
Xu Zhen 'Artists Change the Way People Think'
Artist, curator and entrepreneur Xu Zhen is a leading figure among the younger generation of Chinese contemporary artists
We Recommend
-
Ai Weiwei, a One-to-One
In 2011 visitors to Tate Modern were invited to ask artist Ai Weiwei a question
-
Ai Weiwei, Sunflower seeds
The story behind the artwork that carperted Tate Modern with millions of handmade sunflower seeds
-
David Lamelas: 'All I do is think'
The Argentinian conceptual artist introduces his work in sculpture, film, photography and performance
Find Out More
-
Art Term
Conceptual art
Conceptual art is art for which the idea (or concept) behind the work is more important than the finished art …
-
Art Term
Multi-media
The term multi-media describes artworks made from a range of materials and include an electronic element such as audio or …
-
Art Term
Installation art
The term installation art is used to describe large-scale, mixed-media constructions, often designed for a specific place or for a …