Liu Bolin

Le thâtre des apparences

Editor Editions Musée de l’Elysée
Author Marc Donnadieu, Bolin Liu
Publication date 2018
Dimensions 16,5 x 23,5 cm
Number of pages 112 pages
ISBN 978-2-88350-114-0
Price CHF 39.-

Published by the Musée de l'Elysée on the occasion of Liu Bolin's first monographic exhibition in Switzerland, this catalogue brings together for the first time an exceptional collection of works by the artist in China between 2005 and 2013. A sculptor, performer and photographer, Liu Bolin takes a sharp look at our contemporary world based on the same protocol: blending into a precise context to better reveal it to us. This chameleon-man poses for hours in front of a wall, landscape or monument while his assistants, without any trickery or manipulation, cover him with paint until he disappears completely with the chosen environment. At the end of this unprecedented camouflage process, the performance is frozen by the photograph.

Texts by Marc Donnadieu provide original insights into the principle of creating Liu Bolin's works, which carry a strong symbolic charge. What if in our post-modern society, for each individual as well as for the artist, disappearing was a protest?

Under the direction of Marc Donnadieu
Preface by Tatyana Franck

You may also like

Alice Mann – The Night is Young

"In South Africa the final year of high school is know as 'matric'. For students, the annual 'matric ball' carries huge significance and is a highly anticipated rite of passage. Despite South African students’ diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds, for them and their families alike, the ba...
See detail →

Khashayar Javanmardi – See the Caspian

"As a child, Khashayar Javanmardi counted down the days until he would go to the Caspian Sea to enjoy endless swimming. As a teenager, his first choice for a solo trip was immediately this beautiful blue sea. Later, all his romantic memories took place on the Caspian shorelines. Today, after years o...
See detail →