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Gao Xiaowu featured on Hiart China (Arts Publication)
Gao Xiao Wu collaborates on a fashion+art events with SCCC in this magical night in the Swiss Embassy. Find out more.
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Gentle, peaceful and unassuming, Gao Xiaowu's latest work adorns the Swiss embassy.
In celebration of the 65th anniversary of Sino-Swiss diplomatic relations, Clubelysee.com, the Swiss-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Gao Xiaowu's studio collaboratively organised a fashion and arts event entitled "Fashion and Arts Night" on the evening of 3rd July in the garden of the Swiss embassy. Guests were privy to the introduction of contemporary Chinese art at the venue, and the work of Gao Xiaowu showcased in tandem with new 2015 collections (brought in by Club Elysee) from Prada, Armani, Cavali and Versace provided the two hundred guests present with a refreshing fashion experience. The fashion and art event was resplendent against the backdrop of a beautiful summer night.
Artist Gao Xiaowu at the opening of Fashion and Art Night at the Swiss Embassy
For this special event, artist Gao Xiaowu presented his works "标准时代 (Standard Times)," "英式标准 (British Standard)," "宠神狮 (Pet God Lion)," "出入 (Discrepancy)" and his latest "再生 (Rebirth)" series that was recently exhibited in Singapore on the 18th of May. Gao Xiaowu uses a "mild and gentle" method, adopting metaphors and a rational thought process, to express current social concerns in the artistic creation of his newest series. At the core of his work, he addresses the issue of rebirth and awakening of primeval nature, choosing climbers and creepers (plant types) as the central image. He calls upon poetic notions, the portrayal of tranquil forms, exaggeration, metaphors and other techniques to showcase the deconstruction and regeneration of the natural world, attempting to use the beauty of rebirth and renewal to awaken the dreams and visions humans have of the purest beginnings of nature. According to reports, experimentation and creation of the new series has been going on for a couple of years and currently consists of more than ten pieces.
英式标准 (British Standard)
In comparison with his previous works, the "Rebirth" series consists of more vivid colours and the sculptures and forms are more complex. Gao Xiaowu hopes that the richness and abundance of colours and forms will allow the audience to have a more intuitive understanding of the beauty that emerges from the regenerative process. At the same time, he explains that these colours and forms are not purely meant to embellish and enhance the image but, more importantly, serve to present and reconstruct more perfect perspectives of nature in his artwork.
The display of Gao Xiaowu's work struck a delicate balance with the entire event, setting it apart from common cross-cultural activities. Whether it was his "标准时代 (Standard Times)" sculptures with their smiling faces that welcomed guests at the entrance, or his "紫禁城 (Forbidden City)" figures that seemed to mirror the appearance of models on the catwalk; delightful works from the "Rebirth" series that were scattered across the lawn or the "出入 (Discrepancy)" sculpture nestled amongst the lotus buds - all this contributed vastly to a unique mood and atmosphere that permeated the entire event.
紫禁城 (Forbidden City)
Swiss ambassador to China Jean-Jacques de Dardel expressed in an interview that he was already familiar with, and greatly enjoyed, Gao Xiaowu's work even before he arrived in China. Produced at the dawn of a special era for the nation, his sculptures are rendered with unrivalled creativity and reflect the spirit of China. Their simple appearances belie wise truths and although their forms are humorous, they are equally thought-provoking.
In addition, the Swiss ambassador mentioned that the commonalities between Gao Xiaowu's work and Swiss watches were that they had both been pirated and copied in large amounts worldwide - at which he jokingly asserted that all works at the event were genuine. It was also the "last time one could showcase a true version" of the "标准时代 (Standard Times)" sculptures which had been subject to the most widespread piracy of the works in question. Co-founder of Club Elysee, Pauline Ho, regards Gao Xiaowu's sculptures as extremely exquisite and beautiful. She is also exploring the possibility of future collaborations with other artists and fashion brands.
The original article in Mandarin is available here.
In celebration of the 65th anniversary of Sino-Swiss diplomatic relations, Clubelysee.com, the Swiss-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Gao Xiaowu's studio collaboratively organised a fashion and arts event entitled "Fashion and Arts Night" on the evening of 3rd July in the garden of the Swiss embassy. Guests were privy to the introduction of contemporary Chinese art at the venue, and the work of Gao Xiaowu showcased in tandem with new 2015 collections (brought in by Club Elysee) from Prada, Armani, Cavali and Versace provided the two hundred guests present with a refreshing fashion experience. The fashion and art event was resplendent against the backdrop of a beautiful summer night.
Artist Gao Xiaowu at the opening of Fashion and Art Night at the Swiss Embassy
For this special event, artist Gao Xiaowu presented his works "标准时代 (Standard Times)," "英式标准 (British Standard)," "宠神狮 (Pet God Lion)," "出入 (Discrepancy)" and his latest "再生 (Rebirth)" series that was recently exhibited in Singapore on the 18th of May. Gao Xiaowu uses a "mild and gentle" method, adopting metaphors and a rational thought process, to express current social concerns in the artistic creation of his newest series. At the core of his work, he addresses the issue of rebirth and awakening of primeval nature, choosing climbers and creepers (plant types) as the central image. He calls upon poetic notions, the portrayal of tranquil forms, exaggeration, metaphors and other techniques to showcase the deconstruction and regeneration of the natural world, attempting to use the beauty of rebirth and renewal to awaken the dreams and visions humans have of the purest beginnings of nature. According to reports, experimentation and creation of the new series has been going on for a couple of years and currently consists of more than ten pieces.
英式标准 (British Standard)
In comparison with his previous works, the "Rebirth" series consists of more vivid colours and the sculptures and forms are more complex. Gao Xiaowu hopes that the richness and abundance of colours and forms will allow the audience to have a more intuitive understanding of the beauty that emerges from the regenerative process. At the same time, he explains that these colours and forms are not purely meant to embellish and enhance the image but, more importantly, serve to present and reconstruct more perfect perspectives of nature in his artwork.
The display of Gao Xiaowu's work struck a delicate balance with the entire event, setting it apart from common cross-cultural activities. Whether it was his "标准时代 (Standard Times)" sculptures with their smiling faces that welcomed guests at the entrance, or his "紫禁城 (Forbidden City)" figures that seemed to mirror the appearance of models on the catwalk; delightful works from the "Rebirth" series that were scattered across the lawn or the "出入 (Discrepancy)" sculpture nestled amongst the lotus buds - all this contributed vastly to a unique mood and atmosphere that permeated the entire event.
紫禁城 (Forbidden City)
Swiss ambassador to China Jean-Jacques de Dardel expressed in an interview that he was already familiar with, and greatly enjoyed, Gao Xiaowu's work even before he arrived in China. Produced at the dawn of a special era for the nation, his sculptures are rendered with unrivalled creativity and reflect the spirit of China. Their simple appearances belie wise truths and although their forms are humorous, they are equally thought-provoking.
In addition, the Swiss ambassador mentioned that the commonalities between Gao Xiaowu's work and Swiss watches were that they had both been pirated and copied in large amounts worldwide - at which he jokingly asserted that all works at the event were genuine. It was also the "last time one could showcase a true version" of the "标准时代 (Standard Times)" sculptures which had been subject to the most widespread piracy of the works in question. Co-founder of Club Elysee, Pauline Ho, regards Gao Xiaowu's sculptures as extremely exquisite and beautiful. She is also exploring the possibility of future collaborations with other artists and fashion brands.
The original article in Mandarin is available here.