The Opening Exhibition of Yangpu Culture and Art Center (YCAC) - The New Narrative as Method, hosted by the Yangpu District Bureau of Culture and Tourism and the Center for China Shanghai International Arts Festival (CCSIAF), officially opened to the public on November 22. This exhibition, part of the opening series of events, is a special curation by CCSIAF. It highlights the burgeoning talent within contemporary Chinese youth art and aligns with YCAC's new identity as a cultural landmark, aimed at engaging young audiences and establishing a focal point for youth culture.

Opening of The New Narrative as Method Exhibition

With "new narrative" at its core, the exhibition employs a dynamic visual language to spotlight the young creative groups in the field of contemporary Chinese art, featuring a total of 40 works (sets) from 17 Chinese young artists. These works are either new creations, specifically crafted for the space to demonstrate the artists' profound comprehension and clever use of space; or they are creative adaptations of existing works, breathing new life and significance into them, reflecting the relentless pursuit and innovation of the new generation of artists in the realm of art.

Opening of The New Narrative as Method Exhibition

Narrative is omnipresent. Echoing the sentiments of Paul Ricoeur in Time and Narrative, we find that "humans are narrative creatures, both the narrators and the interpreters of stories." In a postmodern context, "new narrative" signifies an embrace of boundless potential and openness. Anthropologist Xiang Biao noted that "methodology is fundamentally an act of courage." By embracing "new narrative" as an approach, we venture into the unknown with an experimental spirit. In this context, new narrative is not merely an outcome but a transformative process of narrative techniques, bridging the gap between reality and the future.

In this regard, the realm of contemporary art is a rich reservoir from which new narratives continually spring forth. Each artist featured in this exhibition embodies a distinct narrative, with each artwork or collection of works representing a fragment of the contemporary narrative landscape. Despite their diverse origins, they are all nurtured within the epoch of new narratives: some initiate from the fragments of their daily lives to chart a course for understanding the world; others employ non-linear storytelling to depict the tensions between reality and dreams, thus universalizing personal growth experiences; some leverage unique media and materials to explore the interplay and disentanglement of subjective and objective perceptions; others utilize a flattened narrative style to obscure the line between reality and fantasy; some pieces challenge the conventional understanding of everyday spaces, prompting reflection on space and cognition; and some critically engage with traditional painting to confront the "value" dilemmas inherent in the consumer society.

Scenes of The New Narrative as Method Exhibition

The creative content of these artists not only mirrors their personal interpretations of reality but also reflects the collective concerns of the modern society, collaboratively sketching a dual vision of the present and the future. Most notably, "new narrative" within this context transcends the role of a unidirectional tale; it becomes an interactive and co-creative process involving both the audience and the artwork. The audience is no longer mere bystanders but is instead welcomed into a dynamic, open-ended artistic universe, becoming integral to the narrative itself. As they engage with and interpret the works, the narratives unfold progressively, revealing a multiplicity of meanings and potentialities.

Opening of The New Narrative as Method Exhibition

For the exhibition's opening, the hosts invited writer and critic Yuan Jing to host, with participating artists He Keren, Wang Yi, Ze Liang, and researchers and curators from various disciplines, including Fu Xiaomin and Xia Tian, to initiate the inaugural round-table discussion on new narratives. The exhibition will run through January 5, 2025.

Participating Artists:

Chen Guangyao, Chen Guobao, Dong Bingxin, Gong Bin, Gong Daixie, He Keren, He Tian, Li Xianglong, Liu Chang, Liu Yuxuan, Qu Xiaotong, Wan Peng, Wang Yi, Wang Yifan, Ze Liang, Zhan Ji'ang, Zhang Ziheng

Hosts:

Yangpu District Bureau of Culture and Tourism

Center for China Shanghai International Arts Festival

Organizer:

Yangpu Culture and Art Center

Duration:

November 22, 2024 - January 5, 2025

Venue:

Yangpu Culture and Art Center (188 Zhongyuan Road)

Operating Hours:

8:30 AM - 8:30 PM (Daily)

Admission Fee:

Free