`Floating Showcases Young Chinese Artists
By Seo Dong-shin
Staff Reporter
Contemporary Chinese artworks have been in high demand in the international art market for a few years now. Many Korean artists wonder what could have possibly put such Chinese artists so firmly on the map. Some attribute it to the rising global status of the big country.
But Fan Di'an, director of the National Art Museum of China who came to Seoul, claims the reasons stem a little deeper.
``To some extent, it's true that the world is interested in contemporary Chinese art because it offers a window to contemporary China,'' he said. ``But there's no bonus of being Chinese for an artist. I always remind our artists of a few Russian artists who shot to global stardom when the Soviet Union collapsed, but then quickly faded away after the initial enthusiasm of the world died down. The important point is always to cultivate one's own artistic world.''
Whether the craze about contemporary Chinese artists is indeed hyped up by the rising power of the country or formed out of the art's own merit, viewers can now judge for themselves at the exhibition ``Floating: New Generation of Art in China.''
The exhibition, which marks the 15th anniversary of diplomatic relationship between South Korea and China, opened last week at the National Museum of Contemporary Art in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province. About 120 works from 50 contemporary Chinese artists, mostly young, encompass artworks of traditional painting, photography, sculpture, video and installation art.
``The word `floating' portrays a new trend set by young rising artists,'' said the Chinese director, who came to Seoul to attend the opening ceremony. ``It symbolizes the state of many people's mind, which feels ambivalence and pain toward the rapid changes in society _ urbanization and globalization.''
While the Chinese artists featured in the exhibition may share the common thread of today's young artists, such as lightness, sentimentalism, and individualism, they also show a peculiar characteristic of Chinese artists _ of reflecting the long-standing traditions of the nation, Fan said.
Speaking about the rush of major Korean galleries establishing branches in China, Fan hoped for more bilateral exchanges. Except for a few prominent artists from a generation ago, such as Namjune Paik and Lee Ufan, however, young Korean artists seem to lack their own identity or charisma, he pointed out. An exhibition of young Korean artists, a counter exhibition of ``Floating,'' will be held in China next month.
``Floating'' continues at the National Museum of Contemporary Art in Gwacheon until Oct. 7. For more information, visit www.moca.go.kr.