Made in Illusion: Avant garde exhibition explores relations between manufacture and human activities

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Let's now head to an exhibition in Beijing, titled "Made in Illusion." It tries to make visitors rethink the materials and functions of everyday products. Li Qiong reports.

A redefinition of substances, material and scenes of everyday life. A re-exploration of human condition and social ecology in the digital era. Also a re-establishment of people's attitude towards new aesthetic consumerism.

LIU LIYA CURATOR "The theme of the exhibition is 'Made in Illusion', with a question mark actually. We invite the viewers to think about anything that could be related to the manufacturing process, including the consumer culture, recycling, the complicated relationship between human and advanced technology, as well as the exploration of the nature of some untouchable material of substances."

Nearly 30 artists from around the world are gathering in Beijing for this exhibition, with the intention of deconstructing the interrelation between manufacture and human sentiment, as well as social situations.

LI QIONG BEIJING "Through various art forms like installations, sculptures, paintings and new media, artists use new narration of substance and material to reconstruct the ordinary field of living and ecosystem. They further discuss social issues regarding consumer culture and sustainable development."

Reuse and recycling are always important derivatives of manufacturing.

This art piece is made of kraft paper rolls by Korean-born artist Jae Ko. The paper's folds, pleats and gaps suggest a topography of rolling hills, blowing wind, ocean tides and arctic glaciers. They call for a return to nature, which is touched by human hand yet unaffected by it.

And some materials in the recycling sector are even harder to identify from their appearance. British artist Graham Hudson spent a week in Beijing to finish this installation with the city's garbage. He says it's a portrait of the city, the materiality, but also an idea of the psychology of the individual.

Other artists have tried new approaches for this exhibition.

This installation, "Black's Three Parables", represents the biggest scale of work Chinese artist Liu Ya has done. Spending four days with his team on it, Liu says the simple color and scenes can trigger great imagination.

LIU YA CHINESE ARTIST "I wanted to create an installation about the color of black and chose the two substances of birds and stones. I'd like the viewers to have their own interpretation of the piece. Many of them think it's a cool installation, and some even see it as a reflection of the plague. I like their perspectives."

The exhibition "Made in Illusion" runs through October 7th at the Beijing Times Art Museum. LQ, CGTN, BJ.