On February 15th, while people were still immersed in the Chinese New Year of the Dragon, on the other side of the ocean in London, Litchi No. 1 Gallery opened the group exhibition "Quadruple Folding". 2024 marks the 10th anniversary of Litchi One Gallery, and in celebration of this special year, Litchi One has curated a group exhibition of artists that is different from the usual solo exhibitions of artists, and invited independent curator Wang Jinyao to curate the exhibition. Bringing together four emerging artists, Salvatore Pione, Elena Rivera-Montanes, Cheri Smith, and Haoyan Zhang, "Quadruple Folding" offers a sense of the curator's ability to orchestrate the dialogue between the works from the moment you enter the gallery, as each work is carefully placed to guide the viewer through a multi-dimensional exploration of the artistic experience. This is a field where memory and reality are intertwined, and nostalgia is tinged with singular colors, in which the theme of "novel nostalgia" has become a guiding line through artistic expression.
Each piece presented here offers a unique perspective on this enigmatic theme, inviting the viewer on a journey of introspection and discovery. Despite the fact that the central theme of the exhibition is specific and clear, the exhibition remains coherent and focused. The curator's careful selection ensures that each piece adds a layer of depth to a coherent narrative, offering a multi-dimensional exploration of novelty and nostalgia. From paintings to installations, each piece adds a weight to our collective understanding of this complex emotion. However, in addition to thematic consistency, we cannot ignore the curators' emphasis on diversity. This group exhibition celebrates the many ways in which artists interpret and engage with singular nostalgia, highlighting the richness of artistic practice and individual creative processes. With an emphasis on the artists themselves, the curators respect their unique voices and visions, allowing their creativity to shine through in every brushstroke, every sculpture, and every concept.
As you stroll through the exhibition, Wang's vision becomes increasingly apparent, guiding the viewer through the narratives and emotions woven by the artist's work. Each piece seems to flow effortlessly to the next, forming a coherent narrative with poetic resonance. Salvatore Pione's sculptures, influenced by Sicilian childhood memories, infuse the exhibition with a sense of drama and fantasy. Through intricate narrative and performative dimensions, Pione's work invites the viewer into a world of mystical beauty and introspection.
What intrigues me most about Wang Jinyao's curation is how it encourages the viewer to interact not only with the work itself, but also with the ideas and concepts that underpin it. By drawing on philosophical, literary, and art-historical references, Jin Yao invites us to delve into the complexities of human existence and to reflect on the mysteries of life and identity. Cheri Smith's paintings connect art-historical references with a mixed channel of singularity and animality. Through delicate compositions and enigmatic imagery, Smith's work challenges the viewer to explore the complexities of identity and representation. Zhang Haoyan's multimedia work crosses the intersection of pop culture and the virtual realm, blurring the boundaries between reality and imagination. His dynamic compositions invite the viewer to reflect on the fluidity of identity in an increasingly connected world. (Author: Chen Yaojie)