Rip. Staple. Repeat: Discover Li Qiang's world of reconstructed meanings

When did you last open a book or magazine?

In today’s digital world, where smartphones and devices have replaced print as our main source of information, artists are offering their own striking readings of culture and history.

Posters of events at GCAC are displayed on a shelf in the lobby of the Fine Arts Museum. Images courtesy of GCAC

A new exhibition at the Guangming Culture and Art Center (GCAC) uses mind-blowing installations to invite visitors to confront and rethink the fragmentation of how we take in knowledge — and its possible consequences.

Titled “Traces of Ripping,” the exhibition in Hall A on the second floor of the GCAC Fine Arts Museum presents works that contemporary artist Li Qiang has created over the past six years, including a large-scale installation completed on site shortly before the opening.

Li, previously known for his prints, began experimenting in 2009 with a unique creative method — ripping books and magazines, then sticking and stapling the fragments together to form new visuals.

“Tearing, pressing, stapling, and other ways of working with paper are not merely a creative process, but ways for me to physically engage with the world,” the artist said in his opening speech on Aug. 2.

(From left) Qian Zhijian, Ying Tianqi, and Li Qiang.

Curated by art historian and critic Qian Zhijian, the exhibition consists of four sections that focus on major issues of social and cultural life: the blurriness of history, injured nature, distant memory, and the silent passing of knowledge and information.

“Li transforms everyday book materials into a highly recognizable visual language. Through ripping and reconstructing, he invites viewers to contemplate the complexity of knowledge and information and their multiple possibilities,” Qian said.

Art historian and critic Qian Zhijian gives a speech on Saturday, the opening day of the exhibition.

The exhibition’s academic host, Ying Tianqi, praised the works as “truly contemporary, for they raise thought-provoking questions and represent a pursuit of freedom in form.”

“The contrast between torn pages and reconstructed images points to the fragmentation of knowledge and the uncertainty of memory,” Ying said. “In this new age of artificial intelligence, where access to information has drastically changed and the value of knowledge faces unprecedented challenges, Li’s works lead us to reflect on these pressing issues.”

Li Qiang gives a guided tour of the exhibition.

"Terracotta Warriors."

In the section titled “Blurred History,” Li’s works represent images of neolithic painted pottery, terracotta warriors, or historical figures from ancient times. Viewed from a distance, these are recognizable figures or objects. But as you walk closer, the images blur and eventually dissolve right in front of you. The experience reminds us that history is constantly rewritten. It also mirrors our perception of history as many disjointedly overlapped layers of fact.Visitors at the exhibition.

"Sea Water Series."

The section “Injured Nature” draws our attention to the damage humans have inflicted on the natural world. Here, woods, mountains, and sea are no longer pleasant landscapes; instead, they are remnants and residues left behind by ripping and ravaging.

“April: Memory of Shenzhen.”

The centerpiece of “Distant Memory” is a series titled “April: Memory of Shenzhen.” Represented either visibly or formlessly, the countless fragments become symbols of our recollections as they keep distancing themselves from us.

The final section, “Silent Passing,” invites audience participation. As visitors pass the torn sheets among themselves, the action symbolizes the responsibility for passing down culture and history — a responsibility that rests on each of us.

A scene from Li Qiang's solo exhibition at GCAC on the opening day.

On the opening day, in addition to a guided tour led by the artist himself, visitors enjoyed an improvised dance performance set among the works on display.

Visitor enjoy an improvised dance performance on the opening day.

The exhibition opens free to the public.

A poster for the exhibition.

Dates: Through Oct. 8

Hours: 10:00–18:00 (last entry at 17:30), Monday to Sunday

Venue: Hall A, 2/F, Fine Arts Museum, Guangming Culture and Art Center (光明文化艺术中心美术馆2楼A展厅)

Metro: Line 6 or 13 to Fenghuang Town Station (凤凰城站), Exit F

Hotline: 0755-21062296