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Media Centre Project 1 @25000 CULTURAL TRANSMISSION
CENTER, Beijing 86-10-64387107 Introduction to the Exhibition Every work in this exhibition is a means of communication, a way
of expressing information. It＊s as if when a dancer takes to the
stage in full costume and make-up and is granted the freedom to
indulge in performance. In this case, we transcend the boundaries
of gender, are free to experience the clash between modern and traditional
ideals, through the exploration of homosexuality and beyond. It
is an exercise in the evolution of conceived notions of morality,
or gender, and of sexuality and an extension of our basic truths
每 an intuitive sense of meaning and understanding. Like a dancer
in costume, like a performer on the stage, the meaning is implicit,
the emotion intuitively felt. Cui Zien has worked to systematically
transmit homosexuality through his art. In a sense, his works are
a summary of homosexuality, threaded together through movies and
literature all expressing Cui Zien＊s inner most aspirations 每 that
homosexuality will be seen as normal, and to address directly love
and sex within the bounds of homosexuality. By viewing his work,
we will follow the development and the path of homosexuality and
the way society＊s standards have changed to the point that homosexuality
is accepted today. The International Short Film festival is a touring
exhibit, set to visit Guangzhou, Shanghai, and now Beijing. All
of the films included in the exhibit are means for expressing information,
communicating, similar in medium sense to the Internet 每 an arbitrary
connecting and meeting 每 this film festival brings together short
films from around the world, each sharing vivid imagery from home,
each conveying visual information about where they have come from.
All of the films could be considered compressions of the spirit
and intense feelings are evoked, simply in viewing the films. This
form of communication is short, yet extremely powerful. Why this
Exhibition? For a long time, I＊ve looked for some sort of sensory
stimulation, something to move me. This yearning is not premeditated
每 it is just a need to ※see§ and to feel 每 to understand something
instantly and intensely 每 to experience a reflex emotion and revel
in the intensity of it. The anticipation of the novelty of the type
of reaction, and of a transformation cannot be materialized by simply
hosting an exhibit or an event that can give a temporary rush of
adrenaline. This is more of a mind game, a brain teaser. To yearn
for this does of course does effect and change the psyche and the
soul. Overtime, everything comes to have meaning 每 your mind comes
to sense everything. It is at this point, that a breakthrough is
needed, as if suddenly your physical being can take no more 每 as
if your stomach is in spasm, or the pain from a monthly period,
or the intense sorrow after one makes love. The pain is beyond fears
and risks that you can control, that are logical to you. I became
interested and aware of homosexuality issues in 1998 when I read
Li Yinhe＊s writings. At that point, I was very much moved, very
much affected by his words. I became increasingly interested in
the struggles of homosexuals, the inner most feelings, and the creative
nature and was driven to explore the topic in depth. But I discovered
that sexuality was not at straight and narrow as I had first anticipated,
it wasn＊t just about men liking men, or men liking women, or women
liking women 每 but that it goes beyond gender and is more about
an observation and appreciation of beauty. I want to thank SARS
for the time and peace I have been awarded so that I am able to
bring together many of my ideas together in this project and the
opportunity to meet with Qiu Zhijie and create this exhibition.
It was in this time of quiet and retrospection that I thought upon
Cui Zien＊s film and I was overcome with the plan to bring the International
Short Film festival to Beijing, originally only scheduled to tour
Shanghai and Beijing. I also thought to bring dance into the exhibit
and invite a dancer to perform, whom I have long respected and admired.
If it had not been for the time granted for me to think, to conceive
this collaboration of talent, this exhibition would not be happening
today. This exhibition is my opportunity to live out my dreams,
my plans. My hopes are that the atmosphere at the event will be
a relaxed one 每 friends having a drink, communicating openly. Art
is my escape from loneliness, an excuse to escape. This excuse is
brilliant and white, dangling in from of me. And when the night
comes, my excuse disappears, my soul and spirit begins to see, and
seek primal desire, but before I know it, it is light again. In
my hand I have a wine glass, but in it there is already no drink.
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short videos from the world 2002-2003 supported by :: Biz-art, Shang Hai +4 other short film & videos
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