"Of The Few, Of The Many" (为数不多)
// BLURB //
It’s no doubt that tools make our lives easier. More than that, they are undeniably the way in which we human beings went from being a mere species to the dominant species on Earth. Our extraordinary ability to use simple tools to make complex tools has led us down a path of self-fulfilling creativity, of making things to make things to make things and so on. And we have engaged this system totally, leaving almost nothing on the planet “un-made”, leading to a simulacrum and creating a hyperreality in which the artificial becomes the genuine. There have been cries from all rungs of society to embrace a sort of “un-madeness” in our daily lives, to go back to a simpler time. But why would we? This is our reality now, and we are in the unique position of seemingly endless possibilities. What do we do with this infinite potential though? Right! We build atomic bombs and dildo factories. We also build bikes though, which almost make up for all the bombs. Almost.
It’s no doubt that tools make our lives easier. More than that, they are undeniably the way in which we human beings went from being a mere species to the dominant species on Earth. Our extraordinary ability to use simple tools to make complex tools has led us down a path of self-fulfilling creativity, of making things to make things to make things and so on. And we have engaged this system totally, leaving almost nothing on the planet “un-made”, leading to a simulacrum and creating a hyperreality in which the artificial becomes the genuine. There have been cries from all rungs of society to embrace a sort of “un-madeness” in our daily lives, to go back to a simpler time. But why would we? This is our reality now, and we are in the unique position of seemingly endless possibilities. What do we do with this infinite potential though? Right! We build atomic bombs and dildo factories. We also build bikes though, which almost make up for all the bombs. Almost.
EDITION, MEDIA, SIZE & WEIGHT
Unique Edition, Shanghai 2018
Gongbi painting (工笔) on rice paper, teakwood frame
64(W)×46.5(H)×2.5(D) cm // 3.4 kg (framed)
CRATE SIZE & WEIGHT
69(W)×54(H)×12(D) cm // 8.6 kg
EXPOSURE
• “Disaster Diaries” at island6 Shanghai Main Space
CREDITS
Wang Tie Zhong 王铁中 (Gongbi) • Yeung Sin Ching 杨倩菁 (production supervisor) • Thomas Charvériat (art direction) • Irmantas Bortnikas (documentation) • Carlin Reinig (blurb)
Unique Edition, Shanghai 2018
Gongbi painting (工笔) on rice paper, teakwood frame
64(W)×46.5(H)×2.5(D) cm // 3.4 kg (framed)
CRATE SIZE & WEIGHT
69(W)×54(H)×12(D) cm // 8.6 kg
EXPOSURE
• “Disaster Diaries” at island6 Shanghai Main Space
CREDITS
Wang Tie Zhong 王铁中 (Gongbi) • Yeung Sin Ching 杨倩菁 (production supervisor) • Thomas Charvériat (art direction) • Irmantas Bortnikas (documentation) • Carlin Reinig (blurb)
CLOSE-UP VIDEO