Scene in the Mirror and Image outside of the Object
About Hong Hao's artworks

Hong Hao is an artist of intelligence in my impression. The intelligence I’m speaking of refers to the difference of his works from the overwhelming humanity of the artists in the 80’s, as well as from the revolutionary spirit and prejudice of contemporary ones. His works do not pursue the old tradition of the enlightenment period to criticize. By using post-modern satirical and mimic means, he questions and criticizes the real life. His talent and the ability to master different forms of media are also showed in his expressing language.

In a series of photos named “My Things” which is based on daily-life objects, Hong Hao expresses his unique artistic intuition and sharp observation. He finds a common space through positioning, transforming and repeating the arrangement of his objects, thus presenting us of a material world made up of small pieces and objects.

The complex combination of the materials stresses the impression of the reality life pace, and under this impression is the key intention of material consumption. This is the image representation of China’s actual life situation and desires for materials. Although the desires bring us superficial colorful situation, it is powerless. Furthermore, The main idea of his works also reflects the difficult position and ridiculousness of post-contemporary consumption culture in China.

The visual impressing, satirizing, past life remembering, and new life desiring, all those means adopted in his works are trying to find a way to create a surrealistic order out of the chaos of daily life, presenting us with a framework that separates the material and technical languages, but also let them be in contact with each other by arranging them together.

Feng Boyi
independent curator / editor based in Beijing