"Unbroken Stroke" (连笔)
// BLURB //
On March 30, 1988, an audacious performance unfolded atop the Great Wall of China. Renowned Serbian artist Marina Abramović stood resolute at the dragon's head, while her partner, German artist Ulay, positioned himself at the dragon's tail, a staggering 5,955 kilometers apart. This marked the inception of “The Lovers: The Great Wall Walk,” (1988) an extraordinary performance piece of a lifetime.
On March 30, 1988, an audacious performance unfolded atop the Great Wall of China. Renowned Serbian artist Marina Abramović stood resolute at the dragon's head, while her partner, German artist Ulay, positioned himself at the dragon's tail, a staggering 5,955 kilometers apart. This marked the inception of “The Lovers: The Great Wall Walk,” (1988) an extraordinary performance piece of a lifetime.
Their mission was profound: to meet in the middle, symbolically bridging the divide between East and West. For over 90 days they battled extreme weather, isolation, and fatigue; their experiences were meticulously documented through photographs, videos, and diaries. The culmination of their epic odyssey occurred when they finally met at the center of a stone bridge in Shenmu in Shaanxi province. As they embraced affectionately, Ulay shared with Abramović his desire to continue the walk “forever”. Abramović was unequivocal in her desire to get home. They embraced and went their separate ways.
This poignant and unbroken moment marked the end of their romantic and artistic partnership. However, as fate would have it, the pair would reconnect 22 years, a testament to the enduring nature of love, much like an unbroken stroke of LED paint.
EDITION, MEDIA, SIZE & WEIGHT
8 Editions, Shanghai 2023
RGB LED display, Staedtler black pigment ink & Sennelier watercolor on Barbizon Canson paper, black-stained teakwood frame
114.8(W)×84.1(H)×5.1(D) cm // 31 kg
TECH SPECS
• 1×SLC SD Card
• 7×MWLPV20-5 (INPUT 100~240VAC@0.55A / OUTPUT 5V@3A)
• (6+1 spare)×RGB P4-1921-8S-V3.0 / P4out-437T-2305-1A-200
CRATE SIZE & WEIGHT
130(W)×100(H)×21(D) cm //61 kg
EXPOSURE
“Welcome To The Neighborhood” at island6 Shanghai
CREDITS
Nick Hersey & Shengqiu Li 李生秋 (watercolor) • Thomas Charvériat (art direction) • Yeung Sin Ching 杨倩菁 (model & production supervisor) • Tiara Alvarado-Leon (blurb)
8 Editions, Shanghai 2023
RGB LED display, Staedtler black pigment ink & Sennelier watercolor on Barbizon Canson paper, black-stained teakwood frame
114.8(W)×84.1(H)×5.1(D) cm // 31 kg
TECH SPECS
• 1×SLC SD Card
• 7×MWLPV20-5 (INPUT 100~240VAC@0.55A / OUTPUT 5V@3A)
• (6+1 spare)×RGB P4-1921-8S-V3.0 / P4out-437T-2305-1A-200
CRATE SIZE & WEIGHT
130(W)×100(H)×21(D) cm //61 kg
EXPOSURE
“Welcome To The Neighborhood” at island6 Shanghai
CREDITS
Nick Hersey & Shengqiu Li 李生秋 (watercolor) • Thomas Charvériat (art direction) • Yeung Sin Ching 杨倩菁 (model & production supervisor) • Tiara Alvarado-Leon (blurb)
CLOSE-UPS
VIDEO
