RESTART, SPIRITUAL REALM, DISILLUSION (group)

OVERVIEW

EXHIBITION SYNOPSIS

Stretching the concept of reality, both artists utilize the human body as a medium for metaphysical and philosophical exploration. By confronting perceptions of spirituality and existence, they inspire an inquisitive examination of personal existential beliefs.

Miao Xiaochun presents "RESTART" and "Disillusion." The former is a three-dimensional animation in which Miao explores human existence through a comprehensive and emotional journey. Set to the score of Beethoven's Missa Solemnis, "RESTART" is a visual symphony in which the characters travel through time and space referencing the canon of art history. Meanwhile, "Disillusion" evokes Kafka-esque surrealism as the artist delicately presents the fragility of human life through a dance of virtual figures made of disintegrating linear elements and spherical forms.

Cui Xiuwen's "Spiritual Realm" explores the dimensions of spirituality through animated, ethereal human bodies. Twenty-two individuals swim in their isolated dark abysses, exploring the inner and outer connection to existence and the metaphysical. The figures shed their material complexities and create an exceptional religious and philosophical challenge to the experience of human transcendence.

Cui Xiuwen was born in Heilongjiang, China in 1970 and now lives and works in Beijing. She studied at Northeast Normal University and the Central Academy of Fine Arts. Recent solo exhibitions include "The Domain of God," Today Art Museum, Beijing (2010); "Quarter," Florence Museum (2007); "Cui Xiuwen - Kan Xuan," Museum of Contemporary Art, Bordeaux (2004). Major group exhibitions include "Half the Sky: Women in the New Art of China," Leonard Pearlstein Gallery, Drexel University, Philadelphia (2011); "China: The Contemporary Rebirth," Palazzo Reale, Milan (2009); "The Thirteen: Chinese Video Now," MoMA PS1, New York (2006); "Untitled: Julia Loktev, Julika, Cui Xiuwen," Tate Modern, London (2004); and "Alors, la Chine?," Centre Pompidou, Paris (2003).

Miao Xiaochun was born in Wuxi, China in 1964 and now lives and works in Beijing. He studied at the Central Academy of Fine Arts and the Kunsthochschule (Kassel, Germany). Recent solo exhibitions include "Out of Body," White Box Museum of Art, Beijing (2011); "Miao Xiaochun - Two Big Video Works," Today Art Museum, Beijing (2010); "Macromania", Ludwig Museum, Koblenz (2010). Major group exhibitions include "Mediators," The National Museum in Warsaw (2010); "Open Vision," National Gallery, Prague (2009); "Spectacle: To Each His Own," Museum of Contemporary Art Taipei (2009); "Synthetic Times - Media Art China," National Art Museum of China, Beijing (2008); "China Design Now," Victoria & Albert Museum, London (2008); "Expenditure, Busan Biennale," Busan MoMA (2008); and "Made in China," Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, Humlebaek; Israel Museum, Jerusalem (2007).

Works by both artists were included in "Between Past and Future: New Photography and Video from China," International Center of Photography and Asia Society, New York; Victoria & Albert Museum, London; The Smart Museum, Chicago and Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago; Seattle Art Museum; Haus der Kulturen der Welt, Berlin; Santa Barbara Museum of Art; Nasher Museum of Art, Durham (2004-2007).

The exhibition is on view at Eli Klein Fine Art from January 20th through March 11th, 2012. Cui Xiuwen will be present at the opening reception on Friday, January 20th from 6 to 9 PM. Miao Xiaochun will be in attendance at the closing reception on Thursday, March 8th from 6 to 9 PM.