Punk Forest Heartbeat Suzhou
By Crossing Collective
When the natural world collides with technological modernity, what kind of artistic sparks will ignite? In collaboration with Suzhou Wuzhong China Tai Development, Crossing Art launched the inaugural iteration of “Punk Forest: Suzhou Heartbeat.” Drawing from Suzhou’s underground space art culture, this project explores the symbiotic development of urban natural ecology and technological progress. The season takes place from November 20, 2023 to March 20, 2024. Centered on the grand theme of "Punk Forest, Suzhou Heartbeat," it features over 500 artworks by more than 30 renowned artists from 11 different countries including China, the United States, Italy, France, Germany, Russia, South Korea, Switzerland, among others. The diverse lineup of exhibitors will bring along a plethoric array of artworks, including immersive experiences, large interactive art installations, as well as sculptures, oil paintings, and prints. Thus, all attendees are guaranteed to experience an unprecedented viewing experience.
Regarding the theme "Punk Forest, Suzhou Heartbeat" of this art season, the theme celebrates the fusion of art and urban space through the essence of "creative space shaping." By reshaping our urban landscape in the Taihu New City, it creates spaces that inject new energy and promote public connections.
This exhibition is composed of two main areas: "Boundless Territory" and "Reshaping Symbiosis."
Boundless Territory
The "Boundless Territory" exhibition area features artists like David Han, Shen Jingdong, Zhang Fu, Zhong Sichen & Bai Jing, Feifan & Fan Xiaodong, Yin Yihuan, Lv Xiangyi, Bailatu & Zhang Xiaoyao, and Ouyang Ru. The focus of the "Forest of Friendship” is represented through three dragon-shaped mechanical art installations in the cyber forest. These works are created by Chinese-American artist David Han, who reshapes discarded, recycled metal and gives them new life. In his creations, the coldness of metal is solemnly combined with the mystery of future technology. Expanding upon the concepts of cyberpunk and wilderness, the exhibition provides an in-depth deconstruction and reflection on modern society’s rapid development. Cyberpunk is a rebellious trend born from humanity's resistance against the technological dominance, while wilderness symbolizes primal energy and organicism, a sharp contrast against the fast-paced and technological feel of the futuristic city. The combination of the two achieves a harmonious balance, simultaneously awakening people's reverence for primal naturalism and guiding the rediscovery of boundless realms of human life.
Renowned New York artist Thomas Cale sheds rich insight on humanistic and social development through his unique abstract cartoon style.
Thomas Cale
Reshaping Symbiosis
The "Reshaping Symbiosis" exhibition area features artists such as LLND, Thomas Cale, Basmat Levin, Katja Loher, Zane Mellupe, Gianpiero Moioli, Chen Zhishan, Shang Siqi, Yin Yi, Shuai Zhangliang, and Cui Yu. Particularly noteworthy is the representative of "Suzhou Heartbeat" in this exhibition, located in the main venue's public art installation. It is a 3.2-meter-high LED heart interactive installation created by the artist group LLND, adorned with countless sparkling LED lights.
The concrete depiction of the real world has been the core theme in the development of humanistic art since ancient times. As thoughts return from the natural wilderness, artists' exquisite techniques and vivid portrayals enter an exhilarating arena of creative craftsmanship. Such practices are rooted in appreciating the subtle details of daily life, feeling the various emotions of humanity, and experiencing the accumulation of sincere affection. Artists' observations and worldly expressions will further trigger profound personal introspections and societal reflections.
Swiss multimedia artist Katja Loher is internationally renowned for her extraordinary video sculptures and installation art.
The spherical installation suspended in the exhibition hall radiates ever-changing, irregular light transformations and projects illusory images suggestive of cosmic ecology and chakra meditation.
Israeli artist Basmat Levin infuses color, texture, and captivating portraits into this space, offering an immersive exhibition experience.
Each portrait exudes meticulously-crafted, intricately-woven vibrant patterns, compelling viewers to carefully examine the faces depicted within them.
Latvian artist Zane Mellupe deconstructs people's common understanding of photography, expanding it both conceptually and materially.
The exhibition showcases mixed-media photographic works that dwell on the subtle interpretations of emotions.
Chen Zhishan, a graduate of both the Pure Art program at University of the Arts London and the Contemporary Art Practice program at the Royal College of Art, covers various mediums including painting and sculpture.
His works observe the emotional and environmental changes of individuals in society.
Through workshops, he invites different audiences to engage in dialogue and hands-on interaction within virtually-mediated environments, inciting experiences that are both personal and accessible.
Yin Yi, with a degree from Kingston University in Fashion Design, has showcased her works on esteemed platforms like Vogue and Marie Claire, where she participated in the fifth-anniversary special exhibition featuring Hungarian emerging designers.
Her creative inspiration stems from the nuances of everyday life, incorporating elements such as flora, seasonal changes, and interior design into her works.
Sculptor Cui Yu graduated from the Sculpture Department at the Central Academy of Fine Arts. He centers his creations around everyday objects and traditional media, producing sculptures that are rich in artistic expression.
His "Stone Heart Sutra" series begins with a lump of clay that undergoes cycles of intentional and unintentional manipulation before producing a transformation from contingency to inevitability.
This process mirrors the Buddhist concept of a seed as the source for all living things, emphasizing the hands as the origin of all human creation. In doing so, the sculptor suggests that everything is within one’s own grasp.
Renowned Chinese artist Shen Jingdong's artwork "Twelve Chinese Zodiac Signs" explores the inheritance of Chinese traditional mythology and culture through a unique contemporary pop art style.
His work has entered the collections of many galleries, institutions, and private collectors, including the French Embassy in China and celebrities like Zhang Ziyi and Andy Lau.
Shang Siqi, a graduate of the Printmaking Department at the China Academy of Art, emphasizes the composition of Yin and Yang in his works. His "Circle Incomplete" series resembles the two sides of a coin, existing simultaneously in harmony and opposition to each other.
The interplay between black and white on the two-dimensional plane unveils an emotional depth that allows for the aesthetic form to convey its underlying inspiration at a silent, instinctual level.
Trendy artist Ouyang Ru, whose works primarily consist of painting, sculpture, and installations, often employs his iconic colors and the loonyface character image.
The city, as a vast complex, is not only the subject of Ouyang Ru's criticism, but also the home he cherishes deeply. This conflict of emotions imbues his works with complex reflections and sentiments, embedding them with profound insights into life and society from unique and influential perspectives.
Su Jian'an, the founder of Plabit, interprets the visual arts as both a feast of sorts and a conceptualization of a dreamy, green oasis.
His works entrance the viewer to enter the surreal wonderland of Plabit and gently hold onto the trivial emotions of life so that their souls can enjoy a tranquil journey of healing.
Lyu Xiangyi, graduated in 2020 from the Visual Arts Department of the Accademia di Belle Arti di Brera in Milan, Italy.
His painting works interconnect various shapes derived from continuous associations and abstractions, creating a complex yet orderly spatial network formed using the relationship between shape and space.
Agostino Iacurci graduated from the renowned Academy of Fine Arts in Rome and is a prominent figure in the contemporary art scene.
He is known for his multidisciplinary practice spanning painting, mural art, sculpture, drawing, and installation art. In this space, vibrant hues explode, cleverly taking their form in meticulously-depicted scenes against their neutral backdrop.
Bruce Rubenstein studied art at Parsons School of Design and finds stylistic inspiration from the Expressionist movement of the late 1950s and early 1960s.
Rubenstein's works are filled with passionate dynamism. His pieces have been collected by numerous enterprises, such as the headquarters of Guess Inc in Los Angeles, California, and the Henry Fonda Theater in Hollywood, California.
The exhibition hall also includes outstanding works by artists Gianpiero Moioli, George Madarasz, Irene Mamiye, Jaena Kwon, Svetlana Bailey, Wieteke Heldens, and others. The selection also features the following young avant-garde artists: Shuai Zhangliang, Bai Jing, Zhang Fu, Zhang Xiaoyao, Zhong Sichen, Yin Yihuan, Fan Xiaodong, Feifan, and more.
David Han, “Forest of Friendship” Dragon display
Taihu Suzhou Bay
LLND, “Suzhou Heartbeat” display