Making an art of dislocation

• Source: Global Times
• [13:25 June 28 2010]
• Comments

A photo from Zheng Guogu's Empire series. Photos: Courtesy of Dutch Culture Center

The work consists of a pile of rubble lying on top of an obscured water bed that is continually shifting position. It has been constructed to reflect the turbulence of the political situation in the Middle East.

Ironically entitled Calm, Xu thinks of the work as "an artistic representation of the multi-aspect situation in the Middle East from a Chinese point of view."

Another highlight of the exhibition is the large poster that is positioned over the front entrance of the center.

It shows a picture of Melly Shum, a (fictional) office worker at her desk. She glares at the camera through her large white spectacles and although a slight smile is perceivable, she is a picture of restless boredom.

To the right, written in Chinese is: "Melly Shum Hates Her Job."

Daisy Martinet, marketing manager at the Dutch Culture Center, told the Global Times that this picture is a much-loved, if slightly perplexing work of art.

"The reaction has been especially strong from Chinese visitors to the exhibition and those simply walking past on the road. Many people have been pointing at the poster and laughing with friends. It has been very good for attracting attention," she said.

Since October 1990 it has greeted passers-by on the Witte de With, the Rotterdam street from which the art center takes its name.

If you visit the exhibition on Saturdays or Sundays at 1 pm (until July 11), you will be able to catch a dance performance, with trumpet accompaniment, which makes use of one of the other exhibits in the show, Jennifer Tee's ceramics and textiles installation Star-Crossed.

Date: Until July 11, 11 am to 7 pm Venue: Dutch Culture Center

荷兰文化馆

Address: 800 Changde Road

常德路800号

Admission: Free

Call 3353-1166 for details