Bonniers Konsthall

Yang Fudong takes contemporary China as his starting point for his filmmaking, but often refers to Chinese history and older films. His work has been exhibited at the 2003 and 2007 Venice Biennales. Yang Fudong was born in 1971 in Beijing, and lives and works in Shanghai.

 

Three questions to Yang Fudong

Caroline Elgh, Assistant Curator: China is moving forwards in many ways, and this seems to be on the agenda for a lot of people in Sweden as well as in other European countries. When I think of how fast China has changed to become an important part of  globalisation I want to ask you how you as an artist get involved and drawn into the country’s economical and social changes. How does it affect your art?

Yang Fudong: Indeed, China has experienced many changes… As an individual, you live in this land and grew up in it too… All the education and knowledge you have garnered since youth are intimately related to your life here. As you grow older, you’ll gradually learn how to think independently. Every region has its own unique charm… So long as you live here… whatever you do… it will have a profound influence on you.

Caroline Elgh: The Chinese art scene has developed and spread rapidly the last years and this has had a huge impact on the rest of the art world. What would you say are the possibilities for  Chinese artists today compared to let’s say 10, 20 years ago? Today, what can you do and what can you not do?

Yang Fudong: It’s not just a situation for Chinese artists… perhaps it applies to everyone… we all need to do things in a more sincere way, and that would help us understand what we ought to do…

Caroline Elgh: China has a very long history and in this exhibition at Bonniers Konsthall more traditional techniques like calligraphy are evident. On the other hand, the development in China is moving forward very fast and in the exhibition we also see works that involve new technology. Do you in some sense relate to Chinese history and future in your work?

Yang Fudong: Perhaps in some way, a respect for history would mean we would respect the future more.