Visitors look at Chen Zhiguang's Ant series at the Today Art Museum. Photo: Courtesy of the Today Art Museum

A giant stainless steel ant crawls on the front of the Today Art Museum, attracting hundreds of passersby. This is not some scene from a sci-fi movie, but a new exhibit from contemporary artist Chen Zhiguang.

The artist's new exhibition features two giant sculptures from his symbolic "Ant" series as well as a replica of an old stage from his hometown. In local culture, ants represent the ideas of being firm, tough and never retreating from a challenge. 

"These ants may be based on the outer features of real ants, but their insides are contemporary Chinese people. 

"With Dignity" or timiande, a local word for stage performance is the central concept behind this Fujian-born artist's exhibition. According to Chen, he had been raised to live with dignity, and fulfill moral and social responsibilities. "Ants, in our minds, are very humble and always misunderstood. In some way, they are similar to us," the artist said.

The exhibition will end on June 4.

Global Times

Photo: Courtesy of the Today Art Museum

Photo: Courtesy of the Today Art Museum

 

Photo: Courtesy of the Today Art Museum

 

Photo: Courtesy of the Today Art Museum

 

Photo: Courtesy of the Today Art Museum