Sol Invictus
01-06-2010, 10:21 PM
http://www.vancouversun.com/life/Giant+statue+Lenin+talk+Richmond/2384389/story.html
METRO VANCOUVER - A public art installation depicting Russian Communist leader Vladimir Lenin and a feminized Chairman Mao Zedong in the heart of Richmond's business district has the whole town talking.
“When I went to the gym at 5:30 this morning it’s all people were talking about,” said Richmond city Coun. Derek Dang, who saw the piece for the first time Wednesday. “People just can’t believe it.”
The large stainless steel sculpture is part of the Vancouver Biennale, a city-wide celebration of public art. The piece — Miss Mao Trying to Poise Herself at the Top of Lenin’s Head — was created by Beijing-based brothers Zhen and Qiang Gao. Their highly political installations, which include provocative depictions of Chairman Mao, are sometimes shut down by the Chinese government and their studios have been raided.
“When council decided to participate in the Biennale they didn’t give us a catalogue to choose from and maybe that’s a good thing,” said Dang. “We got what we got.”
And what they got has tongues wagging. Bloggers are posting images of the construction and the local community newspaper has been buzzing with letters.
“It certainly generates debate,” said Dang. “It is art and art generates conversation, and remember it’s not going to be there forever.”
The Vancouver Sculpture Biennale takes place every two years featuring public art works by about three dozen artists from around the world. Biennale sculptures are typically removed within two years.
Another Biennale installation in Vancouver — the upsidedown church called Device to Root Out Evil — was the subject of furious debate and a grassroots campaign to have it removed. Device now resides in Calgary.
“[Miss Mao] certainly has caused a lot of debate and evokes some strong emotions among people who remember those times,” Dang said. “[The Gao brothers’] inspiration and imagination is what makes it art.”
METRO VANCOUVER - A public art installation depicting Russian Communist leader Vladimir Lenin and a feminized Chairman Mao Zedong in the heart of Richmond's business district has the whole town talking.
“When I went to the gym at 5:30 this morning it’s all people were talking about,” said Richmond city Coun. Derek Dang, who saw the piece for the first time Wednesday. “People just can’t believe it.”
The large stainless steel sculpture is part of the Vancouver Biennale, a city-wide celebration of public art. The piece — Miss Mao Trying to Poise Herself at the Top of Lenin’s Head — was created by Beijing-based brothers Zhen and Qiang Gao. Their highly political installations, which include provocative depictions of Chairman Mao, are sometimes shut down by the Chinese government and their studios have been raided.
“When council decided to participate in the Biennale they didn’t give us a catalogue to choose from and maybe that’s a good thing,” said Dang. “We got what we got.”
And what they got has tongues wagging. Bloggers are posting images of the construction and the local community newspaper has been buzzing with letters.
“It certainly generates debate,” said Dang. “It is art and art generates conversation, and remember it’s not going to be there forever.”
The Vancouver Sculpture Biennale takes place every two years featuring public art works by about three dozen artists from around the world. Biennale sculptures are typically removed within two years.
Another Biennale installation in Vancouver — the upsidedown church called Device to Root Out Evil — was the subject of furious debate and a grassroots campaign to have it removed. Device now resides in Calgary.
“[Miss Mao] certainly has caused a lot of debate and evokes some strong emotions among people who remember those times,” Dang said. “[The Gao brothers’] inspiration and imagination is what makes it art.”