Xu Zhen
Eternity – Northern Qi Standing Buddha, Amazon and Barbarian
Materials : Glass fiber-reinforced concrete, marble grains, gold foil
Year : 2014
“Eternity” is a series of sculptural installations that fuses together and immortalizes classics of art history and great civilizations. Statues of Greek gods or Chinese divinities and Modern Art sculptures are replicated using mineral composite, taking on the form of visual hybrids. “Eternity” brings global civilization into a broader perspective, showing through the East – West cultural impact/collision, the historical influence of the traditional Orient and the modern Occident on contemporary life. Two kinds of visual experiences provide viewers neither close nor distant perception on cultural heritage. The use of forms and aesthetics between the East and the West, ancient and modern, figurative and abstract create a timeless classic moment.
The upper part of this work consists of a replica of a Northern Qi Standing Buddha, wearing sophisticated ornaments. The golden part of the work was inspired by an antique Roman statue of An Amazon and a Barbarian. Their posture and composition presents a dramatic war scene.