"Reflection On Window Shopping" (橱窗购物的思考)
// BLURB //
I have a confession—a naughty secret. You mustn’t tell anyone what I’m about to tell you, especially not my family. What they would think of me, the shame it would bring them! Okay, here goes nothing. It started off harmlessly enough: it was just window shopping at first. I would peruse building fronts, appreciating the displays almost as works of art. Then I started asking questions, sincerely in the early days. Eventually though, I moved up from my local stores and innocent questions, and graduated to more extravagant businesses nearer the center of the city. I dressed up for these excursions, and once arrived, did not even look at items that cost less than 100,000 RMB. I put on a false face, transformed into someone I barely knew. I became an actor, a make-believe bigshot collecting business cards from jewelry stores and art galleries alike, always promising to “keep in touch” but only touching my neck, hot with the excitement of feeling important. How similar these salespeople are, and how easily I whet their desires with a steady gaze and a few words.
I have a confession—a naughty secret. You mustn’t tell anyone what I’m about to tell you, especially not my family. What they would think of me, the shame it would bring them! Okay, here goes nothing. It started off harmlessly enough: it was just window shopping at first. I would peruse building fronts, appreciating the displays almost as works of art. Then I started asking questions, sincerely in the early days. Eventually though, I moved up from my local stores and innocent questions, and graduated to more extravagant businesses nearer the center of the city. I dressed up for these excursions, and once arrived, did not even look at items that cost less than 100,000 RMB. I put on a false face, transformed into someone I barely knew. I became an actor, a make-believe bigshot collecting business cards from jewelry stores and art galleries alike, always promising to “keep in touch” but only touching my neck, hot with the excitement of feeling important. How similar these salespeople are, and how easily I whet their desires with a steady gaze and a few words.
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
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