Commissioned Performance for SH Contemporary

Republic 1: Do you still remember the Soviet Union?
Special project by Song Zhen, Qiu Zhijie and China Academy Fine Art students

Time: September 7th at 8 pm
September 8th at 5 pm and an on-going performance

Students born in the late 80’s are asked about the meaning of the ‘Soviet Union’ upon their visit of the Sino-Soviet Friendship Hall last week, the current venue of SH Contemporary. Seeking answers from their own families, including their parents and grandparents, the students went on to interweave the responses they got with elements in Plato’s The Republic, turning the site into a platform for not only a game of “hide and seek, but also debate.

The performances take place on a stage constructed by bamboo with a form reminiscent of the styles of the 1950’s, during which time the building was erected. The floor of the stage can be seen as the shadow of this building, or the bow of a ship. Images from old movies and posters of the former Soviet Union will form the projection background for their installation.

“The Republic” is a long lasting project by the ‘Total Art Studio’ at the China Academy of Art. The ‘TAT’ is a series of synthetic experiments with events, performances, videos, social investigation and social participation. The “Republic 1: do you remember the Soviet Union?” is not a sort of ideological reminiscence, but an archeological excavation at the current site of the art market. For these students of art, the memory of the Soviet Union is neither some style of sketch they have learned, nor just some image of a monument.

The Students of Total Art Studio, China Art Academy: Cheng Tao, Guo Houtong, He Bing, Huang Danyang, Huang Songhao, Li Lun, Li Yingqi, Li Shibai, Liu Xiu, Luo Jinhua, Miao Wenjun, Song Xinxin, Tian Zhenkun, Wang Fangyi, Wang Yuyan, Wang Ziyue, Wu Han, Zhang Dongchuan, Zhang Haoxiang and Zhong Ai

ArtisticDirectors: Qiu Zhijie, Song Zhen and Zhao Jingyan