Yi Shu I Like Artist-In-Residence Program
An Axis with 8 Scales Creation Time: 2020 Size: 167x160x160 cm Material: Stainless Steel 不锈钢
Experience a piece of music and have a little pleasure
By Song Jianshu
In July 2020, after the first half of the year was overshadowed by the pandemic, the "Yishui Comprehensive Art Residency Program" gave me a rare opportunity to get out of the house and enjoy the great outdoors. It was truly wonderful.
When it comes to "Yishui," the first thing that comes to mind is the tragedy of "The wind blows bleakly over the cold Yishui." However, the Yishui in July is more like the scenery of North China and Jiangnan, with beautiful sights such as the Yishui Lake, majestic Langya Mountain, and the mysterious and secluded Qingxi Tomb. Everywhere is a good place for an outing, and it seems that only in the rendering of the sunset glow can the tragedy in the story and the scenery in front of us be superimposed.
The village of Tiangang where our residency was located is surrounded by mountains and is isolated from the city. Many of the local old houses are built of stone, and the difficult terrain with many mountains and stones makes farming and living difficult. The slow development in the mountains and the huge difference from the urbanization process outside have led to the hollowing out and aging of this village. Many material traces in the village present a situation of the integration of old and new landscapes: there are solar-powered streetlights and wells where water is drawn with a wheel, heavy machinery building bridges and roads, as well as donkeys and mules pulling millstones and pushing stone rollers, and there are traditional earth and stone farmhouses as well as modern steel and concrete public buildings... It is precisely because of this conflict and tension that Tiangang Village today is like a theater, and also a scene where values and cultural sensibilities are undergoing transformation.
During my residency, I saw villagers using wheels and millstones. The driving force of this rotary motion reminded me of the working principle of a music box toy. People once used this simple energy conversion device to bring convenience to their lives and work. Now, I want people to use this familiar action to enjoy a piece of music and a bit of fun.
