·Shu Yong·Beijing

《Bubbles at Baota Mountain》
Photograph
Performance
May 21, 2006
Yan'an Yanhe River Square - Baota Mountain

At 3 o’clock May 21, 2006, artist Shu Yong organized a group of 100 elderly residents from the Yanhe River Art Group “yangge” dancers, as well as 300 students from Yan’an University to form his “bubble group.” On the Yan’an Yanhe River square, the yangge dance group performed, and the students, led by Shu Yong, blew bubbles, a childlike ideal refracted numerous rainbows in the sunshine…Afterwards, Shu Yong led the group up Baota Mountain, and once more, underneath the Baota Pagoda, the group performed their dance, and tourists also joined the group in blowing bubbles. Shu Yong’s work has continually been dealing with public art practice, borrowing upon history and myth to new theatrical sites and narratives. The work uses a visually dazzling method to give form to the power of the collectivist ideal. Through a whimsical form, the work deconstructs the ideal Utopian nation and searches for the location of power for collectivism. Setting out from
reality, the artist reconsiders history, culture and region, providing both a positive and realistic alternative.