China Presentation for the 2005 Yokohama Triennale
(2005.09.28 - 12.18)

anonymous project, Twenty One Go, installation and performance， 2005

The artist is a well known artist from the 1980's. Since then, the artist has been living a low-key life in seclusion in southern China researching the game of Go.

The game of Go was transmitted to Japan from China during the Northern and Southern Dynasties. Today, it's primary players are scattered among China, Japan, and Taiwan. Additionally, several masters are from Taiwan and either received training or grew up in Japan. As such, the game of Go is a shared cultural symbol and resource among the three areas that links together the mutual economic and cultural exchange and impact of the three areas. "21 Go" is a cultural proposal that looks to resolve the current geo-political conflict. The creativity of the work comes from taking "another road." (the actual game of Go is composed of 19 lines). From the inherent strategizing of the game of chess, the proposal has a strong sense of politics. The artist uses what appears to be a whimsical method of a game to give form to an extremely sensitive and also seemingly helpless political and economically existent conflict, as well as possibly existent benefits and cooperation. This is without a doubt a work that breaks through both tradition and common understandings of "playing chess." The change in rules established by adding one line has a large relationship both to the triennale theme of "jumping from the ordinary", but also as a political work, it is extremely positive and optimistic and not a surface level cynicism.

This work will have 3 children play chess matches onsite. The match will be recorded and broadcast in the exhibition space.

The game of Go touches upon the collective cultural recognition and resources of China, Japan, and Taiwan. The game of Go was transmitted to Japan by China. From the 1970's when "Tianshouxiang" established friendly relations with China, until today, all of the political and economic changes are all greatly brought about through "Go Diplomacy." To this day, the Go matches are the most effective and peaceful method of cultural exchange between the Chinese and Japanese people. What is most interesting is that several of the top level Go players in Japan often have linkages between China and Taiwan.

One part of the project (match play or broadcast) will occur in the exhibition space, the other (match play or broadcast) will be carried out in Chinatown. The matches will be played between 3 youths, one from mainland China, Japan, and Taiwan. The match will be broadcast live from the site of the match to another place.

Additionally, audience members will be invited to take part and participate in the games as well.

The artist has chosen to remain anonymous for this work.

View of the gallery