Contemporary Art: Bank Of Sand By Huang Yong Ping @ Gladstone Gallery New York

 

(Drivebycuriosity) - China´s star is rising and Chinese artists are gaining importance. New York`s Gladstone Gallery exhibits a creation by Huang Yong Ping. The controversial artist was born in 1954 in Xiamen, China, and currently lives and works in Paris (artnet).

The gallery shows a  20-ton replica of a bank building, comprised of sand and concrete (here the press release gladstonegallery). The installation is called "Bank of Sand, Sand of Bank" and represents the former HSBC Bank in Shanghai, built in 1923. During the Chinese Revolution of 1949, this Neoclassical landmark was transformed into the Communist Municipal People’s Government Building, and later became the headquarters for the Pudong Development Bank in the 1990s.

I don´t care about the artist´s political messages, but I admire his craftsmanship and his talent as organizers & entrepreneur (he must have many helpers to build and to transport the installation). I think the original design of the building is beautiful and I find this reproduction fascinating.

The dome of the bank is inspired by Rome`s Pantheon of course - one of countless replicas including St. Peter Basilica and the Capitol building in Washington DC (here my post about the ancient Roman influence till today driveby).

Above some detail shots.

It`s interesting that this installation was originally shown in 2000 at the Shanghai Biennale, it seems that the work is more sustainable than the artist wants us to believe. 


To be continued