Le Xi: Living in the Studio and Redefining Everyday Life
The relationship between art and life is always changing and evolving. As I explore this, I find myself questioning what art is and what it isn’t, which leads me to a deeper understanding of how we experience life. Living in my studio is crucial for me; even though my life may seem dull, I believe it holds endless possibilities. I want to transform many aspects of it into my art, giving them new meaning and value. The details of my daily life and feelings continually blend into my creations, becoming an essential part of my exploration of art.
Le Xi, The Summer Breeze in Chongqing, 01:19 (Loop), video, dimensions variable, 2023
My work, "The Summer Breeze in Chongqing," reflects this desire. Through the breeze, I focus on the mysterious forces of the distant sky and whether we can sense signs of something surreal. Every morning in my studio, I feel this connection through the interaction of the curtain and the breeze. To reveal the mystery of the breeze, I replaced the curtain with a colorful striped fabric to capture its delicate traces. I concentrate on how the stripes move in the wind, but my experience shifts between the colors and the breeze. I recorded a video, trying to discern the essence of the "wind" while searching for the true marks of nature.
In this process, I find myself tangled between what is artificial and what is natural, questioning what truly defines each. Is the movement of the striped fabric really a trace of the breeze? Maybe it’s just the sensitive lines of color that Paul Klee sought, or the vibrating blocks of color like music in Mark Rothko’s paintings, or perhaps even the flutter of a mysterious butterfly’s wings at the horizon. Through these elusive comparisons, I aim to explore the relationship between nature, the artificial, and art, bridging the gap between experience and the physical world. This "blank" space is a significant issue in my work and life, and I long to understand the mysterious connections and boundaries within it.
Although my life can seem monotonous at times, I can’t imagine living any other way. In my studio, I deeply realize that life itself is a work of art, and the feeling of "the gentle touch of the breeze" is a topic that can never be fully expressed. It goes beyond emotions and thoughts, holding a meditative mystery. I constantly question, "What is art?" because, in this complex world, the definition of art often seems singular and limited. This "blank" space represents the disconnect between my artistic creation and life experience, prompting me to transform many everyday things into art and give them new possibilities.
