The beginning of life is naturally good?
The profound questioning of human nature is the spiritual core of Zuo Bingbing's works.
People are the eternal theme in painters' works. People have secular desires, desires and impulses, jealousy and greed, sadness and hatred. These are the universal weaknesses of human nature, good and evil, beauty and ugliness, and heaven and hell are always only one step away. In a certain state, the body and soul are between this step.
The human body in Zuo Bingbing's oil paintings seems to stay between the ecstasy of sexual release and the depression of guilt, and between the directness of feeling and the moral ghost in memory. It is in this spirit and flesh that Zuo Bingbing accurately captures the authenticity of the "ID" in human nature at the moment when love and desire are glued together, thus trying to reveal the mystery of the origin of human life.
For Zuo Bingbing, sex is a life value and an attitude towards life. "Writing", "gorgeous" and "dazzling" are Zuo Bingbing's painting characters. The sleeping face and seductive body in the painting are the spirit trapped in matter, with a semi-dreamy and semi-awake expression or an excited expression. Most of them are composed in an X-shape, which seems to take a typical sleepwalking posture. They are addicted to fantasy, as if they had entered another world. Exaggerated brushwork and flowing lines create a strong dynamic and unstable atmosphere, which is also a hidden outlet of the author's inner world.
When we talk about "writing", we naturally think of China's calligraphy. The process of writing is a kind of behavior, and it is an interesting creative process that combines the actor's personal thoughts and feelings, life sentiment and aesthetic experience. Zuo Bingbing, uncharacteristically, abandoned the traditional painting method, simplified the painting, superposition and accumulation of colors in the past into a kind of "writing" behavior, woven colorful lines and formed picture elements. This bold attempt may be the painter Zuo Bingbing's interpretation of China culture.
Look at the "Yan" in the works. The colors are mainly red, yellow and blue. The strong collision between the two groups of colors symbolizes the confusion and mystery of both sexes. God took a rib from a man and created a woman, so both women and men are half of each other, and everyone is trying to find his other half when he comes to this world. The application of gorgeous cold and warm colors in Zuo Bingbing's works is the materialization of this life experience, and "gorgeous colors" and "affairs" may be Zuo Bingbing's spiritual reflection on the value of human nature.
"In a daze"-Looking at Zuo Bingbing's paintings will give people a feeling of dizziness, which is directly related to her personal pursuit of color, modeling and composition.
Among the female artists who explore contemporary art in China, Zuo Bingbing dares to face up to the problem of human nature and ask the deep-seated question of human value from the perspective of personal perception. This is really not easy, and it has also made Zuo Bingbing's artistic view and academic value from these aspects.
Freedom and Taboo on the Edge —— On the Painting Art of Zuo Bingbing by Wang
In recent years, erotic paintings in China have begun to increase. In the 1980s, artists were basically striving for the freedom of creative forms and styles, and their narratives still retained quite a few traces of realistic and naturalistic paintings. Personalized self-narrative appeared in the early 1990 s, mostly ordinary stories of daily life. In the middle and late 1990s, a group of sharp feminist arts appeared, observing the world around them from the perspective of women. Some of them were gentle, some looked at themselves with a strong questioning attitude, and even pointed at taboo bodies, exposing body consciousness and opening a door of surprise.
For example, Chen Lingyang's Flowers in 65438+ February, Xing's I am a Woman and Xiang Jing's Your Body. These artists defeated the concept of body and its political discourse with bold and direct visual impact. In the 2 1 century, the collision between female consciousness and social tradition has always been the theme of artists' questioning. That is to say, in the diversified contemporary art landscape of China, the art that points to visual vision with female consciousness has become a different landscape, which is not an isolated phenomenon, but the conscious action of a group of artists. There are both the psychological impact of social changes and the traceability of human nature across the threshold of the times.
Zuo Bingbing's paintings can be viewed in the framework of this great era. This is another batch of new female art, such as Nash's female body narcissism in Sichuan and Huang Min's fictional erotic scene in Beijing, which once again shows the interpretation of today's gender consciousness. Zuo Bingbing's paintings have created a gorgeous female picture scroll, which is a suspended image with no connection and no story to rely on, but it is also a lens of Wushan's self-infatuation or sex. On the surface, they are fragments of life scenes, but when these works are brought together, they show a bold attitude and a clear declaration. The painter reveals the hidden truth in life in the most direct way. They should be said to be a reference to life, more strictly speaking, a visual communication of gender criticism discourse in contemporary society, that is, the focus of contemporary erotic painting is not eroticism, but the staggered state of contemporary culture and society in its context, and their construction is neither a noble moral criticism nor a flattering consumption. On the contrary, it is the perspective of some human existence phenomenon, and it is also the existence from subordination to subjectivity. They are not trying to solve profound psychoanalytic problems, but trying to rebuild women's subjectivity in a visual way.
Obviously, this is an eternal theme. From ancient times to the present, from China to foreign countries, erotic paintings have run through the history of human culture. At first, they appeared not for artistic purposes, but as an imagination and reflection of life and even a reflection of social concepts. However, in the history of erotic paintings, women are mostly regarded as passive and repressed roles. When they enter the contemporary society, the problem becomes complicated. It not only shows the inner desire of human beings, but also shows the reconstruction of gender consciousness and psychology. People used to say that women are the product of men's construction, but now to some extent, women have become the object of self-construction. The so-called new eroticism is not to satisfy men, but has the trend of independence becoming a status. Zuo Bingbing's exploration and performance of them also reflects this new trend. The declaration of female subjectivity not only affirms the value of life, but also criticizes gender tyranny. This is a painting subject full of courage and wisdom, which is extremely sensitive but challenging. Zuo Bingbing has made his own attempt and will continue to refine and deepen it. This kind of opposing art will also stand out in today's art landscape.
20 10-5- 10 was stranded at Shenzhen airport due to heavy rain.
Wang:
Doctor of Art History, art critic and curator, now works in the academic department of the Art Museum of the Central Academy of Fine Arts, engaged in the research of contemporary art theory and criticism, with academic emphasis on the development and criticism of contemporary images, the contemporary transformation of painting and the theory and art of cultural criticism.
Courses such as foreign art history, contemporary art theory and criticism, and contemporary image criticism are offered. His publications include Art since 1940 (2006), Phenomenology of Painting (2006), New Thinking of Decoration (2006), After the End of Art (2007), Abuse of Beauty (2007) and Interpretation of Art (2000) Video Dynamics (Beijing), Supernatural: China New Century Photography Exhibition (new york), Past and Present: China Contemporary Art Exhibition (South Korea), Puzzle: China Contemporary Art Exhibition.
Mirror image of sex and non-sex —— An interview with Zuo Bingbing
Art: In fact, women and sex have always been a topic of imprisonment. The theme you boldly express in your works presents a state of being bound and bound. What comments have you received from all sides?
Zuo Bingbing: There are many ways to express sex, from ancient murals to the present performance art, but the artists' perspectives and expressions are different. China's culture is reserved and reserved, and the traditional society is a patriarchal society. Not to mention that women generally dare not directly express their true feelings about sex, even male artists, they also express a small proportion of objects. Today, there are still many people in society who disagree with sexual expression and even talk about transsexuality. Especially for the sex theme I painted, they can't accept it because it expresses narcissism, masturbation and other behaviors. The society is so big that we can't ask everyone to agree with a certain expression. But my desire for expressiveness has been brewing for a long time, and I have no other special ideas. Then I came out naturally. I just want to truly express my inner thoughts.
I want to express everyone's subconscious pursuit of sex, especially women, through my understanding and understanding of sex and oil painting. Sex itself is beautiful, a necessity for human reproduction and happiness, and the birthplace of art. Why can't we face it directly and truly? It should not be regarded as a scourge! Sex itself is sacred, and some people insist on linking sex with pornography, which is his personal business. As the saying goes, "those who are clear are self-clear, and those who are turbid are self-turbid."
Society is originally composed of men and women, and both are indispensable. In the past, men dominated society, which was obviously unfair. Men and women bear different responsibilities in this society, and women have also made great contributions to society. Women's perspective on the world is different from that of men in some respects. Men look at women differently from women. The female perspective has its unique artistic charm. We should attach importance to both views. Only by giving consideration to both aspects can this society be complete and harmonious. Therefore, feminism flourished after the 20th century. They face up to their inner feelings, express them more boldly and fight for their rights and equality. This is the progress of an era.
Art: Can you talk about the forming process of your works? What kind of mental journey has made your present art form?
Bingbing: I use my true feelings and feelings to constantly pursue inner truth on canvas, and then from inner truth to visual truth. It is the true feelings of the soul that naturally prompted me to make the present painting style. I didn't pursue it deliberately, but I wrote down my thoughts when I observed my inner feelings about sex. So my painting style is naturally achieved in the process of pursuing inner truth.
As for the present art form, I think it is a very accidental opportunity. Of course, many things started by accident. When I painted myself in the mirror for the first time, I began to be interested in my body, and like other painters, I began to be "narcissistic", which drove me to constantly show some works related to myself, or imagine works related to myself.
At the graduation exhibition of postgraduate courses, I drew a set of Rhythm of Life, all of which were twisted fetuses. This brush stroke may be related to my usual love of dancing. I think the twisted curve is beautiful. In this way, I like to express the truth of my thoughts in the picture with twisted and rotating brushstrokes, and gradually formed my personal painting vein. Besides, I have been longing for "the rain and dew of love" in my heart. Only under the nourishment of the rain and dew of love can we have rich inspiration and create works beyond imagination.
Art: What do you think of the relationship between sex and art?
Bingbing: For women, sex is an extension of love. Life can't be without love, but it can be without sex. Without love, life will be bleak, human nature will become indifferent, and works (whether painting or music) will not have bright artistic conception. Love can stimulate people's imagination and passion. With imagination and passion, works will be full of vitality. "Sex is just a manifestation of love", without love, there will be no sublimation of art. For example, animals have sex, and I have never heard that animals have art.
The theme of sex can't be separated from art. From ancient times to the present, both literature and all kinds of art can't be separated from sex, which is the eternal theme of human beings. Art history is inseparable from the theme of sex, which is a very important content in life and the favorite theme of artists and writers.
The artistic theme is rich and colorful, and there is no right or wrong in the theme itself. The difference lies in the angle of expression, whether the thought is profound, or whether the expression method is suitable for what you want to express. I just use a theme to express my inner thoughts, feelings and thoughts. Sex itself is beautiful, and it is obviously a shallow understanding to treat it as yellow.
Art: How to treat the influence of contemporary art theory on art?
Bing Bing: The foundation of contemporary art theory is philosophy, and the theory of human nature is an important part of philosophy. The liberation of human nature is the inevitable trend of social development, and contemporary art is the spokesman of the above visual forms. Every contemporary artist is expressing his understanding of "images needed by the times" in his own language. In fact, the key is not the material, but the creativity of visual image, and the master of art is the person who has contributed in these aspects.
There are many vivid things in contemporary art theory, which have a great influence on art, but if you only know to apply the existing theories, do not create deeply, and have no personal feelings, you can't understand the essence of art.
We have 5,000 years of history and culture, and we have our own profound cultural soil, so we must find our own roots. Zhao Wuji, Zhu Dequn and Wu Guanzhong, the great masters of art, have exerted great influence in the world because they have a profound understanding and recognition of China's traditional culture and philosophy of art, and their art has a profound cultural background.
Traditional culture and art in China pay more attention to the spiritual world, while contemporary art pays more attention to the real world and is more acute. Perhaps, in fiction and fact, the two disciplines should complement each other, which can not only inherit China's traditional philosophy, art and humanistic thought, but also reflect the theme of the times and carry forward the tradition.
Art: What do you think of the academic nature of your work?
Bingbing: I haven't thought much about this question. If a writer always thinks about the artistry of his works when he is creating, this feeling is too unnatural. Because art is simple, you shouldn't bring too many complicated things in. The so-called academic nature is not only expressed, but also needs long-term cultivation, gradual infiltration and precipitation into the works. It takes time to rise to the theory, and the work will naturally come.
Art: A number of sharp feminist works of art appeared in the middle and late 1990s. As a sharp female artist, what is unique about your work?
Bing Bing: Painting is like reading a novel or prose. As for how you feel after reading it, it depends on the reader himself!
Impression of painter Zuo Bingbing
Author: Mei
Moonlight clan, hedonism, spiritual inquirer. As an old friend, this is my great impression of Zuo Bingbing, a contemporary young female artist. She is my classmate in Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts.
I remember when I was in high school, I read the literary masterpiece Gone with the Wind. Scarlett, the protagonist in it, will never forget me. She is a combination of rebellion, frankness, innocence, courage, strength, stubbornness and stubbornness. Her pioneering spirit with advanced consciousness and free soul, which follows the trend of liberation, often hits my heart. At that time, I also wanted to be Scarlett of China.
Later, I was admitted to Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts and met a classmate named Zuo Bingbing. In the years of cold and hot, long-term close contact has deepened my understanding of her and changed my views on her. However, one thing has never changed, that is, in my eyes, she is an out-and-out "Scarlett" in contemporary China, a person who ignores the existing rules and a shining prism crystallized from the contradictions of the times-what I didn't do, she did!
In the traditional view, the works of female painters give people the impression that they pay attention to formal beauty, while the ideological and spiritual things are superficial and single. However, Zuo Bingbing broke this rule. Let's take a look at her works: most of her works take "sex-self-defense" as the theme, and the representation is rooted in people's instinctive desire. The painter's strong and straightforward artistic context impacts people's visual nerves, and its essence is the body language and reflection of contemporary real life and mental state.
In Bing Bing's works, spasmodic fingers, long hair, protruding tongue tips, confused expressions and ambiguous pink tones are often used as basic props to create a state of sexual excitement, with smooth lines and direct and naked narrative means. If we put this "masturbation" state in the background of the times, it will produce a universality beyond the limitations of the subject matter-the charm, confusion, loneliness and alienation of contemporary human nature.
Zuo Bingbing showed the Scarlett spirit in her with artistic expression!
Because we are not in the same city as Bingbing, our communication is more on the phone. Every time I talk on the phone, the most talked-about topic is creation, and at this time, her tone is also the most exciting-there are new creative plans, how to conceive the latest works, new breakthroughs in expression methods, and several sleepless nights caused by new inspiration. ...