China Chapter Series
This piece is part of Jian-Jun Zhang’s (张健君) China Chapter series (2007–2012), in which the artist played with the appropriation of traditional ancient clay potteries and altered their context, color, and form. Through these pieces, Jian-Jun looks at the importance of history and culture, and their role in influencing an individual and a nation. The artist also questions the meaning of value and authenticity of said traditional pieces and their worth when replicated cheaply or retrofitted anew. Jian-Jun looks to obscure the notions of icons in Chinese culture in the modern age.
This multi-material totem can stand as a beacon in an interior garden space and is intended to be casted and retrofitted in-house into a cascading water feature, emphasizing the beautiful curves of the object. It is 11″ x 11″ x 64″ and made up of an Antique Chinese vase, clay, and wood.