How London's discarded debris creates a masterpiece of light and shadow
In short: Contemporary artist Xu Bing transforms everyday waste into a towering, ethereal landscape. This video reveals the intricate process behind his five-metre installation at the British Museum, showing how simple materials can evoke the spirit of classical Chinese painting through the clever manipulation of light.
Xu Bing’s installation, Background Story 7, stands five metres tall and serves as a modern reinterpretation of a traditional Chinese painting held in the British Museum's collection. Rather than using paint or ink, the artist constructs the image using a collection of discarded items and organic matter.
The work is composed of hemp fibres, dry plants, corn husks, crumpled paper, and various debris gathered from locations throughout London. By arranging these materials behind a frosted glass screen and illuminating them from behind, Xu Bing creates a delicate, shadow-based landscape that mimics the aesthetic of a classic scroll.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: An installation by Xu Bing at the British Museum: Background Story 7
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