Artshake 19: International Gathering
Image: Shanghai Chongming YIYUAN TANG Museum & Foundation Country Museum
NATURE AND LIGHT
UK Young Artists is took seven UK artists: Charlotte Cullen, Juliet Gibbs, Matt Greenwood, Munotida Chinyanga, Ryan Boultbee, Sam Baker and Sasha Hughes-Stanton to work with an international group of young artists from the Republic of China and South Korea as part of the 2019 YIYUAN TANG Museum & Foundation Artshake in China, September 2019.
This ‘international gathering’ offered artists an opportunity to work in a fluid and open way, creating work on site; in a group or independently, using materials sourced and found on site. Artists responded to the theme of ‘Nature and Light’, and work was exhibited for two weeks at the Shanghai Chongming YIYUAN TANG Museum & Foundation Country Museum following the residency.
Photos by Matt Greenwood:
CHINA DIARY BY MICHELLE BOWEN, UKYA DIRECTOR
Our Artshake 19 adventure began in early September when we landed in Shanghai airport, greeted by a camera crew filming a documentary about the project, before being whisked off along with our Korean friends to Chongming Island - a two hour drive from Shanghai and one of the largest Islands in China.
We arrived tired & hot but soon cheered up as we were greeted by a huge neon YYT sign and our friends, artists and hosts enjoying a wonderful local BBQ. This was our first glimpse of our new home for the next 14 days. YYT is an old industrial site which has been wonderfully restored and brought back to life with galleries, bar, workspaces, offices and a cinema. YYT is set in the village of LuVah, a remote and rural village and it was apparent that YYT and our arrival was a big event with lot of people coming out to say hello, take pictures and find out what had been going on behind those gates for the last two weeks…
After a traditional breakfast the whole group, which was made up of Korean, UK and Chinese artists, we spent the day getting the feel of the Island. Firstly visiting the Dongtan Nature Reserve walking across this beautiful landscape, where we got to see herons and egrets and some of the group even saw an alligator. Lunch was a formal affair in the town before we were kindly hosted by the local government to see a presentation about the future plans for Chongming to become an eco-island by 2025.
Back at YYT the weather had taken a turn so we used our time indoors to find out more about each other in a Pecha Kucha. Each artist was asked to share a bit about themselves, their work and why they applied to be part of Artshake and what they hoped to get out of it.
Having found our feet and some of the jet lag beginning to wear off, our work began in earnest. The Director of YYT outlined the Nature and Light concept of Artshake 19 and the process and agenda for the next 12 days, and most importantly the group got to see the site for the first time. The impact of that first visit to the site is hard to forget, this was an old factory which had left abandoned for at least 20 years… the heat, sounds of the insects, nature and sheer beauty of the site would be hard to beat.
Each artist was asked to select a space and the next that day to share their ideas with other artists, mentors and YYT. Feedback was given as to how to develop or realise the idea, and YYT supported this session with a trip along the main street of LuVah to show the vast array of artisans and makers that could help with the fabrication of ideas. Fortunately, there were no hard decisions to make as each artist self-selected their own spaces with no clashes.
Over the next 6 days the task ahead for the artists was to use their chosen space to create a site-specific work with an emphasis on re-using the materials found on site, and where needed to use local people to help with any fabrication/support etc. But before any work could begin, everyone had to grab the materials they could and begin cleaning up their spaces. This is no mean feat when its 32 degrees and 80% humidity. The spirit and support that each artist gave to this project and each other was huge, this was not a simple, easy or comfortable way of working but they each dug deep and pushed through.
Whilst the days were hard work, the evenings brought new experiences and our group meals - some in LuVah and others hosted by local residents, were some of the best home cooking and welcoming spirit which one could hope for when you are away. It was a welcome chance to unwind and enjoy this extraordinary place. By day six we were starting to see the artists’ ideas truly take shape. It was fascinating to see the huge range of ideas and articulation, and how the artists are making a mark; bringing this site back to life.
Friday 13th September was an important date in the Chinese calendar. It’s a harvest festival held on the night of the full moon, during which ‘mooncakes’, a rich pastry typically filled with sweet-bean or lotus-seed paste, are traditionally eaten. We had the chance to make some of the these cakes at the local community centre ready for our important night - the opening of Artshake 19. To see the transformation of the site and the completed works was outstanding and I am very proud of each and every artist who was part of this crazy journey.
Was our time there plain sailing – no. When working within another culture, things will change; communication is misunderstood and the unexpected will happen. This is inevitable in any project and it’s how you deal with these issues which matters most and often brings the most rewards. Thanks to YYT for all the help, support and energy which they gave the project and we hope that the three-part documentary will be ready in the coming months so you can all see what an extraordinary place and opportunity this was for all involved. Thanks also to the Seojung Arts Centre whose mentors, and artists joined us on the journey and kept us all laughing.