Followed by last month’s A+ Contemporary opening exhibition, the second part of “← →” with inclusion of an emerging artist based in Shanghai—LIU YUE opens September 9 in Shanghai.

The fate of tissue paper is disposable, forgettable, who would ever think about praising its malleability? In Liu Yue’s artwork “The Archetype of Infinity”, there are 28 tissue boxes, and Liu would have to fold and shape each tissue paper until they look as much identical as possible. During the process, the artist must overcome the object’s extreme softness and delicacy to create a similar reproduction through bodily senses and concentration. The whole performance lasts for 8 days; it is a journey of Liu searching for the ultimate “one”.

In mathematics, a function, F(x), is a relation between a set of inputs and a set of permissible outputs with the property that each input is related to exactly one output. Tissue paper, in the practical sense, is considered a cheap good mass-produced in the factory; however, inside these identical boxes, the appearance of paper itself is almost limitless, it takes great effort to create the exact same wrinkle here and another fold there, which can only be done by hands! The input of “time” is thus added into the process, and infinite trials are simulated as an attempt to reach the absolute. When we reflect back on the 4 other artists in this exhibition: Chu Chunteng (Taiwan), Hsu Chiawei (Taiwan), Lee Kit (Hong Kong), Morgan Wong (Hong Kong), they grew up in places that are part of “Chinese” cultural system but somehow deviated from it in the course of history, while Liu Yue from Shanghai, now stands as the central point where “← →” departs. Furthermore, we can say that “The Archetype of Infinity” can be understood as the immense differences and possibilities underneath the ostensible similarity.

The exhibiting work is only the 18 piece among the artist’s “The Archetype of Infinity” research series. Liu explores the hidden significance behind surface, and uses succinct presentation to reveal a complex system. In fact, the branch of learning has always been divided that the differences between science and art seem insurmountable. However, just like Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) proved to be a great artist and scientific genius, perfection can be achieved through comprehension of both. In this respect, Liu shows a cross-disciplinary mastery. The artist’s deliberate craftsmanship has perhaps made us ponder: the uniqueness of each individual are actually created, inevitably, by the ambition of creator who tries to defy any differences.

About the exhibition

Dates: Sep 9, 2015 - Oct 31, 2015

Opening: Sep 9, 2015, Wednesday

Venue: A+ Contemporary

Courtesy of the artist and A+ Contemporary.