It’s the first and biggest major solo exhibition by a Chinese artist and it’s happening in Jakarta. "Xu Bing: Thought and Method" displays the work of renowned artist Xu Bing. 

It consists of 60 artworks created over 40 years and will be on display in Jakarta’s Museum MACAN until January 12, 2020.

Visitors can enjoy his drawings, prints, installations, films and archival materials within the limited time. Xu Bing has always explored cultural dimensions in a unique way through art. 

Since the 2000s, many of his works have been discussing issues around globalization, surveillance and industry.

Some of his works on display at the museum include his most popular installation called “The Book from the Sky”, where 4,000 false Chinese characters on a paper scroll overflow from the ceiling. 

They make up of thousands of meaningless characters that resemble Chinese characters, but are ineligible. The art is meant to trick the audience and make them question their intelligence.

“I think a good retrospective exhibition will allow people to see multiple layers of the work. Otherwise it couldn’t satisfy the audience. It will be a disadvantage instead of a bonus. I think this is a good opportunity for us to have dialogue with young people of different backgrounds.” says Xu Bing.

The exhibition is enjoyed by visitors from all ages and backgrounds, including the new art lovers and those that are familiar with the scene.

“I’m a new art lover and for me I thought art was just paintings but this exhibition has shown me that art can be interactive and showcased using many mediums. I am learning a lot,” says a visitor.

Another one of his popular installations is called Square Word Calligraphy, a system that was created by combining Chinese calligraphic arts with English writing. Other installations include Book from the Ground, Dragonfly Eyes and Honor and Splendor.