Footprints decorate avant-garde Gu Yuan exhibition

Messy footprints were left by artists and visitors on 500 m (nearly a third of a mile) of absorbent Xuan (rice) paper covering two flights of stairs. The interactive artwork was an invitation by the Gu Yuan Museum of Art to a contemporary art exhibition on "Hunting Quality."

Located on East Meihua Road in New Xiangzhou, the famous museum is named after Gu Yuan (1919-96), a native of Nazhou Village, Tangjiawan and an outstanding Chinese artist. These days it is hosting the biennial Guangdong Modern Art Show for free from June 24 to July 1 in celebration of its 10th anniversary.

Modern dancer lights up opening ceremony

The creation consisting of random bare footprints is taped to the wall for appreciation. It resembles life itself; full of uncertainties, obstacles, and puzzlement, and allows each participant to feel part of the exhibition, according to curator Liu Chunchao.

Performance artist Dong Jie sits cross-legged on the only way to the exhibition with a flower made of Xuan paper, the material used for Chinese paintings and calligraphy, atop her head. Above is a constant artificial rain shower that drenches the flower until it withers and dies. The performance reportedly symbolizes the beauty of life and its destiny of decay.

Performance art depicting a withering flower

Various creations in many media are on display, such as installation arts, easel paintings, videos, and photography. The diversity provides insight into avant-garde arts and crafts and allows visitors to explore the essence of art for themselves.

The exhibition has been shown in Zhengzhou of Henan Province and Zhongshan and Zhuhai in Guangdong Province. It will circulate to other cities around China.

The Zhuhai museum has not hosted such a cutting-edge exhibition in a long time, but is becoming more open and inclusive, determined to use the most advanced artistic presentations to encourage a spirit of life and culture, claimed Liu.

Careful observation [Photos by Shen Yang & Wang Jinxia / Zhuhai Daily]