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Ancient mythological text inspires modern art
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鈥淭he Classic of Mountains and Seas,鈥 also known as 鈥淪han Hai Jing,鈥 is a fabulous geographical and cultural account of pre-Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC), as well as a compendium of mythical beasts.
Throughout history, tales were derived from 鈥淪han Hai Jing,鈥 and these were gradually developed into larger systems of myth and legend.
Even today, the book has influenced many popular Chinese TV shows and movies, such as 鈥淢onster Hunt,鈥 鈥淭he Journey of Flower鈥 and 鈥淥nce Upon A Time.鈥
Zhejiang Art Museum is currently hosting an exhibition of works inspired by this classic text, with contributions from 50 artists.
The exhibition is divided into three sections 鈥 Hongmeng, Taotie and Wumei which are named after stories from 鈥淪han Hai Jing.鈥
According to the book, the primordial universe was in chaos and uncertainty as heaven and earth blended together. All things were in a state of shapeless blurring. This era was called hongmeng (楦胯挋) when the world longed for harmony.
In this section, Liang Shaoji displays an installation work entitled 鈥淒runk Sun.鈥 Silk, wood, metal, glass, ceramics and wine were used to present the chaos of the primordial universe where the sun and earth were intoxicated and twisted together.
Li Hongbo uses colorful paper to sculpt 鈥淔airytale World,鈥 imaging heaven and the earth starting to separate as the world comes into being.
Magic realism dominates the Hongmeng section. Artists integrate the modern era with primitive myth, creating a strange and bizarre atmosphere.
Shan Hai Jing is not a narrative, as the text mainly offers detailed descriptions of mountains, seas and wilderness. There are also descriptions of medicines, animals and geological features.
The second section, Taotie, mainly showcases works inspired by beasts and geological features. Taotie (楗曢ぎ) is described as a dragon with a pair of raised eyes and no lower jaw. It is one of the 鈥渇our evil creatures of the world鈥 in 鈥淪han Hai Jing,鈥 representing greed. It is commonly engraved on bronze and jade vessels.
Ma Hongfa created the work 鈥淓xcavation Pit 1 of Shan Hai Jing鈥 where part of a beast鈥檚 skeleton is exposed from underground. In the book, some creatures died in a prehistoric flood. Ma imagines a scene where scientists successfully excavate this beast.
The last section, Wumei, refers to a state of awareness where humans find themselves in a blissful wonderland where time and space are no longer fixed, but both body and spirit are endlessly extended.
鈥淪han Hai Jing鈥 recorded more than 100 realms, 550 mountains and 300 rivers, along with geographic and cultural information from nearby regions. Ancient people tried to find paradise in these recorded places and then created a series of legends.
Shao Yinong鈥檚 oil painting 鈥淗eaven鈥 portrays paradise as hidden behind auspicious clouds. Shi Bonong鈥檚 paintings depicts the perfect world on a secluded island.
In addition to these three sections, the exhibition also replicates the fresco from Jiuyuangang Tomb in Xinzhou, north China鈥檚 Shanxi Province.
The fresco was found in a Southern and Northern Dynasties (AD 420-581) tomb. It depicts immortals, mythical beasts and plants from Shan Hai Jing.
Chinese people started to explore the universe during the pre-Qin Dynasty, as testified by stories from the book. In modern times, the exploration continues.
The exhibition displays German photographer Michael Najjar鈥檚 photographs of the 500-meter Aperture Spherical Telescope, the world鈥檚 largest radio telescope in southwest China鈥檚 Guizhou Province.
The giant dish is being built on a naturally formed bowl-like valley, hung over the ground supported by thousands of steel pillars and cables.
鈥淪han Hai Jing鈥 exhibition
Date: Through December 13
Venue: Zhejiang Art Museum
Address: 138 Nanshan Rd
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