Le Xi: The "In-Between" in New York
In my early "Stick Together" series of studio paintings, I explored the constantly changing state between flat and three-dimensional shapes. I tried to use the flat medium of painting to show the connections and contradictions between these dimensions. The work keeps shifting between flat and three-dimensional, decorative and representational, realistic and abstract - it is energetic yet controlled, giving a sense of depth and complexity. Throughout the 1990s, I left traces on the canvas, attempting to capture the complexities of life through artistic form. During this period, my focus was more on the act of painting itself, and this transition from the canvas to my artistic process marked the beginning of my life in New York.
Le Xi Stick Together series 1996 Oil on canvas 57.1 x 45.3 inches LX 2. Click
When I moved to New York in 2000, I truly began to live in the space between differences. Frequent relocations became a normal part of my life, forcing me to discard many unnecessary possessions and retain only digital devices like my phone. This minimalist lifestyle influenced my artistic practice. I naturally shifted from easel painting to multimedia art, using my phone to record and photograph the people and things around me, focusing on the overlapping spaces created by the differences between them. I began to 'make the in-between, rather than depict the in-between’, I realized that painting alone could not adequately express this "in-between" state, so I decided to use video to capture the subtle contradictions and connections between things. This transition from painter to performance artist was a natural process, as living in the "in-between" became the driving force behind my creative work.
I incorporate the interweaving energy of the "in-between" into my lived experience, hoping to present art's truly natural expression in life. In the case of my work "White House," I tried to place my body in the boundary between substance and shadow, time and space. I gave form to the shadow, exploring the space between the object and its shadow. I walked along the edge of the house's shadow, and as time passed, I focused not only on the shadow itself, but also on the natural quality of the act of walking.
Le Xi White House 2011 video dimensions variable
To avoid boredom, I focused intently on walking between the rooftop and its shadow on the ground, balancing the monotony and poetry, as well as the struggle between the limitations and infinite perceptions of life. Ultimately, I used walking in place of thinking, allowing my body to surrender itself in the "in-between" of sunlight and shadow, merging with the surrounding environment. This is a video work, and the artist Thomas Lanigan-Schmidt, who was my MFA thesis advisor at School of Visual Arts New York, provided positive feedback and encouragement for my unique handling of sound, space, time, and meaning in the creation. Even after graduation, Thomas continues to offer valuable commentary on my work, representing the generosity of the New York art community.
Living in New York not only changed the media and forms of my creative work, but also profoundly influenced my artistic concepts and modes of expression. By seeking inspiration in differences and contradictions, my work has gradually shifted from static painting to dynamic performance art, revealing the subtle and complex "in-between" states of life. The diversity and unpredictability of New York have provided me with endless materials and inspiration for my artistic practice, allowing me to continuously explore and express the complexity and multiplicity of life.
