Greedy Pigs
October 24th 2008 17:52
Check out this amazing photo:
photo by Michael Reynolds
A detail of the sculpture entitled "God of Materialism" by Chinese artist Chen Wenling, at Asia Art Center, 798 Art District in Beijing. The festival showcases Chinese and international artists at dozens of galleries.
The photo is part of a series of seven taken at the festival.
Here is another shot of the same Chen Wenling sculpture:
© Michael Reynolds/epa/Corbis
I cant take my eyes off the top photo - it is grotesque yet hypnotic!
The artist and the photographer have captured the vulgarity of consumerism flawlessly. The way the figurines are arranged depicts the greed of capitalism as having a ritualistic quality to it. Each little piggy is rendered a ruddy red as though the frenzy of their greedy over-stuffed lives has flushed their skin. Their demonic green eyes gleaming as they look anxiously, desperately, towards their idol.
I just love this work!
I love the suggestion of conformity and central control as each identical little porker replicates the stance and demeanor of porker next to him.
This is basically how The West views Communism, but here is an exhibit in China holding a big giant mirror to how extreme materialism can produce the exact same social results.
Its funny how in politics the far left and the far right models are basically identical - one person, or elite group of people with all the power and the masses hanging on their every word.
Corbis Set ID: 1243314
photo by Michael Reynolds
A detail of the sculpture entitled "God of Materialism" by Chinese artist Chen Wenling, at Asia Art Center, 798 Art District in Beijing. The festival showcases Chinese and international artists at dozens of galleries.
The photo is part of a series of seven taken at the festival.
Here is another shot of the same Chen Wenling sculpture:
© Michael Reynolds/epa/Corbis
I cant take my eyes off the top photo - it is grotesque yet hypnotic!
The artist and the photographer have captured the vulgarity of consumerism flawlessly. The way the figurines are arranged depicts the greed of capitalism as having a ritualistic quality to it. Each little piggy is rendered a ruddy red as though the frenzy of their greedy over-stuffed lives has flushed their skin. Their demonic green eyes gleaming as they look anxiously, desperately, towards their idol.
I just love this work!
I love the suggestion of conformity and central control as each identical little porker replicates the stance and demeanor of porker next to him.
This is basically how The West views Communism, but here is an exhibit in China holding a big giant mirror to how extreme materialism can produce the exact same social results.
Its funny how in politics the far left and the far right models are basically identical - one person, or elite group of people with all the power and the masses hanging on their every word.
Corbis Set ID: 1243314
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Comment by Chris Champion
moneywhither
Vyoos
Zoomies
Bloggercises
NewlyOld
The Blog of Lists
Comment by Bill Green
Talking Headlines
Comment by Lady Henrietta Muddling
Potter in a Harry
And the best piece of modern art/sculpture I've ever seen.
I hope the artist turns the idea into an animated film of some sort.
Comment by Morgan Bell
Deep Pencil
Current Business News
Movie Train
Artist Quirk
yes shuddering!
and then looking away . . .
and then finding yourself compelled to scroll back or re-open the page to look again!
hi Bill,
haha the big pig running away!
and he went wee wee wee all the way home . . .
hi David,
EVER?
im so glad i whipped together this post to share the pics, there was just something really captivating about them, so its great that all you guys are getting something out of it to!
maybe they could make a claymation horror film out of the ghoulish little buggers?
thanks for the comments everyone!
Comment by alt_ed
Alted Opinion
ArtCombat
The Inner Saintdom
Comment by Morgan Bell
Deep Pencil
Current Business News
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Artist Quirk
ahh a statement of gender inequality . . . i did not even think of that . . . you could be onto something!
Comment by Jason King
Sydney Table
Salty Popcorn
Total Randomness
Comment by Morgan Bell
Deep Pencil
Current Business News
Movie Train
Artist Quirk
200,000? wow!
i dont think theres anywhere near that many little piggies in this Chen Wenling one . . . i should google some works from the Biennale, sounds like it would be an interesting browse!
Comment by Jason King
Sydney Table
Salty Popcorn
Total Randomness
Comment by Cass
Short Film Making
Filmsi
The Chinese custom and love for feng shui likes to make reference to the God of Prosperity. But anything beyond moderation is always harmful.
And yes, your take on the parallels between politics and this art is hilarious (if not eerie in accuracy). lol
Comment by Morgan Bell
Deep Pencil
Current Business News
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i wonder if "prosperity" just used to mean a sustainable lifestyle with no misfortune?
as opposed to obscene riches that is . . .
im glad others can see the political irony!
thanks for stopping in!
Comment by Morgan Bell
Deep Pencil
Current Business News
Movie Train
Artist Quirk
as promised i did a little google
the artwork is "Asian Fields" by Antony Gormley (UK)
Asian Field, a vast sculptural installation comprising some 190,000 hand-sized clay figures, has been made under the guidance of the artist by 350 people of all ages from Xiangshan village, north-east of the city of Guangzhou in south China. Using local clay from Guangdong Province, famous throughout China for its rich red colouring, the making took place during an intensive five-day period between 18 and 22 January 2003.
China, with its ancient civilisation, vast land mass and agrarian culture, has provided both a major source of inspiration and a great challenge, and the Asian Field is the most ambitious project of its kind ever undertaken
It takes a minimum of 2,000 square metres for installation
It is almost five times larger than any of its predecessors
In Sydney it was displayed at Pier 2/3, Walsh Bay
25 tonnes of clay came in 3500 boxes
It was valued by the artist as being worth $5 million
Comment by Jason King
Sydney Table
Salty Popcorn
Total Randomness
Comment by Cheryl J
Funny Videos
Rhythmatism
Zentertainment
Budget Centsability
Seriously, a weird but incredibly interesting piece of art.
Comment by Morgan Bell
Deep Pencil
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Artist Quirk
thanks for pointing out the similarities - i enjoyed researching it!
hi Cheryl,
haha awww an then we slick some lipstick on you and you pass for a hockey mum!
thanks for stopping in and checking the artwork out, im glad you enjoyed it!