"Groesste" (硕大无朋)
// BLURB //
“Form follows function” ...Famous words coined by American architect Louis Sullivan, which he drew from the writings of Roman Architect Marcus Vitruvius Pollio. Around 20 B.C. Vitruvius wrote De Architectura, the only treatise on architecture to survive from antiquity. In it he declared that a structure must be three things: solid, useful, and beautiful. One can make the connection to the modern-day bicycle. Elegant design, and the most reliable ride to get you through the street circus that is Changshou Road during rush hour! It’s no wonder then that the two-wheeled contraption has become a medium for artists like Chinese activist Ai Weiwei. He created his first bicycle installation “Very Yao” back in 2008 and his most recent, “Forever” in 2014 in Venice, Toronto, and Taipei. Thousands of bicycles stacked on top of each other, creating one massive sculpture. From a different perspective, South Korean artist Seo Young-Deok, also known as a “chain sculptor”, literally reconstructs the iconic bike, using welded chains to create large visually stunning works like “Nirvana 163” (2018).
Whichever way you look at everyone’s favorite ride, there’s no denying form and function perfectly ride along.
“Form follows function” ...Famous words coined by American architect Louis Sullivan, which he drew from the writings of Roman Architect Marcus Vitruvius Pollio. Around 20 B.C. Vitruvius wrote De Architectura, the only treatise on architecture to survive from antiquity. In it he declared that a structure must be three things: solid, useful, and beautiful. One can make the connection to the modern-day bicycle. Elegant design, and the most reliable ride to get you through the street circus that is Changshou Road during rush hour! It’s no wonder then that the two-wheeled contraption has become a medium for artists like Chinese activist Ai Weiwei. He created his first bicycle installation “Very Yao” back in 2008 and his most recent, “Forever” in 2014 in Venice, Toronto, and Taipei. Thousands of bicycles stacked on top of each other, creating one massive sculpture. From a different perspective, South Korean artist Seo Young-Deok, also known as a “chain sculptor”, literally reconstructs the iconic bike, using welded chains to create large visually stunning works like “Nirvana 163” (2018).
Whichever way you look at everyone’s favorite ride, there’s no denying form and function perfectly ride along.
EDITION, MEDIA, SIZE & WEIGHT
Unique Edition, Shanghai 2019
Oil painting on canvas, teakwood frame
96(W)×106(H)×6.5(D) cm // 8.16 kg (framed)
CRATE SIZE & WEIGHT
107(W)×117(H)×15(D) cm // 21.5 kg
EXPOSURE
“The Freaky Deaky island6 Circus Show” at island6 Shanghai
CREDITS
Nick Hersey (painting) • Thomas Charvériat (art direction) • Yeung Sin Ching 杨倩菁 (production supervisor) • Tiara Alvarado-Leon (blurb)
Unique Edition, Shanghai 2019
Oil painting on canvas, teakwood frame
96(W)×106(H)×6.5(D) cm // 8.16 kg (framed)
CRATE SIZE & WEIGHT
107(W)×117(H)×15(D) cm // 21.5 kg
EXPOSURE
“The Freaky Deaky island6 Circus Show” at island6 Shanghai
CREDITS
Nick Hersey (painting) • Thomas Charvériat (art direction) • Yeung Sin Ching 杨倩菁 (production supervisor) • Tiara Alvarado-Leon (blurb)
CLOSE-UPS
