Blending timeless myths with modern art at Sun Ke Villa
2025/02/21
The solo exhibition "Fables of Tomorrow" by Chen Xiaodong opened at the Sun Ke Villa in the Columbia Circle on February 19. The exhibition features a diverse array of works, including sculpture installations, video pieces, and digital prints, blending ancient mythical beasts with sci-fi elements to create a fantastical and metaphor-rich future world.
Born in the 1980s, Chen is a cross-disciplinary artist known for using discarded car parts like tires as mediums, combining them with sculpture installations and digital art. For years, he has drawn inspiration from the ancient Chinese mythology "Classic of Mountains and Seas," reimagining and reshaping these myths to create an innovative sci-fi universe of mechanical beasts.
This exhibition showcases two major series of his work. The "Future Mountains and Seas Series" is filled with imagination, reinterpreting mythical creatures from a contemporary art perspective and blurring the lines between tradition and modernity, reality and fantasy. Visitors feel as though they can see ancient legends weaving through the skyline of a futuristic city.
Among this series are several giant sculptures, including "City of Ox" at the entrance of Sun Ke Villa and "City of Xuanwu" in the outdoor garden. These works combine discarded parts with ancient mythical beasts, creating a visually stunning effect. Some parts can move autonomously, adding a sci-fi touch.
The "Reincarnation Series," a classic of the artist, primarily features tabletop sculptures and explores the philosophy of life's cycles. Together with the "Future Mountains and Seas Series," it showcases the artist's journey and exploration in the realm of art.
The venue for this exhibition, Sun Ke Villa, built in the 1930s, carries a century of Shanghai's historical memories. Its elegant architectural style contrasts yet harmonizes with the avant-garde artworks on display. Every carved detail and window lattice of the villa complements the exhibition pieces, serving as both a tribute to its historical value and an innovative attempt at revitalizing a century-old building.
Address: 1st Floor, Sun Ke Villa, Columbia Circle, 1262 Yan'an Road W.
Dates: From now until March 15 (Closed temporarily on February 21 from 12pm to 5pm)