Laughing at the absurdity of life – that’s the invitation artist Rong Bao extends to visitors at her debut exhibition at Saatchi Gallery. The first Chinese artist hosted by the renowned London gallery and the winner of the COLAB prize from the Royal College of Art / Yorkshire Sculpture Park 2023. Titled Rong Bao Is Me, the irony is already anticipated. Taking a look at her Instagram account, especially the videos of her works, the playful aspect Bao seeks is evident. Her inflatable works, like those on display at Saatchi until March 31, are the perfect example. Consider “Floating” or “The Enigma” – with a vibrant aesthetic and constant movement, the two large-scale sculptures aim to reflect on the complexity and diversity of life, mocking the absurd attempt to impose order on society.
At the heart of Rong Bao’s work is interaction, particularly the exhibition Rong Bao Is Me, intended to be «a playground of gestures,» as stated on the Saatchi Gallery website. It invites viewers to connect «with their mischievous sides and engage in a world that pushes beyond the boundaries of acceptability». The interactive aspect is indeed playful but also provocative, with the clear intention of challenging the viewer to contemplate the perception of the surrounding world. Going beyond acceptability, for Rong Bao, means exploring the deviant element that can defamiliarize the audience. An everyday element is now stripped of its defining characteristics, subverted and emptied of meaning, leading the visitor to perform futile and senseless gestures towards the works. This aims to question preconceptions and the societal order imposed by society.
Courtesy Saatchi Gallery & Rong Bao
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