Zhang Deli
Encyclopedia
Zhang Deli tʂáŋ dɤ li is a [Shanghai]-based artist born in Zhengzhou
, Henan
province in 1979. Her work in new media
has been exhibited around China
, especially in Beijing
and Shanghai, as well as in Hong Kong
and Brussels
. She plays a key role in the art collective Liu Dao
of the island6 Arts Center
, a not-for-profit, artist-run collective of visual artists, photographers, graphic designers, filmmakers, electronic engineers, dancers and choreographers based in Shanghai.
, particularly in alternative photographic tools, which she has extensively researched. She also works with old photographs, giving them a new lease of life through reanimation and the application of 3D techniques.
Her artworks bring together the fields of photography and fine arts. She is deeply influenced by feminist issues and she draws inspiration from feminist artists like Barbara Kruger
. She has traveled extensively in India
and participated in various arts festivals like the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival
in South Mumbai
, India, a celebration of dance
, drama
, literature
, film
and street art. These experiences have shaped her artistic direction and exploration of gender issues in her work.
forms and marries the two seemingly disparate concepts of tradition and modernity. The multidisciplinary approach of Zhang and the collective produce innovative and exciting artworks.
These artworks afford us an intimate glimpse into a spectrum of emotions, problems and patterns in the interactions between men and women. At the same time, the collaborative effort both represents a harmonization as well as a variety of current artistic statements.
techniques to bring back to life old negative
s which she located from different regions around China. She animate
s still photography and infuses modern elements such as white light holograms into old photographs. Her techniques simultaneously preserve the traditional and the historical while renewing and reinterpreting the past and our perspectives of it.
with which she captured a series of old women in their underwear. It is an intimate, tender exploration of emotions in which the process of creation and the sentimental impetus
driving it both surprises as well as intrigues the audience. The juxtaposition of tradition with technology creates an elegant and complex sensory environment that audiences can be immersed in.
Art Fair.
Zhengzhou
Zhengzhou , is the capital and largest city of Henan province in north-central China. A prefecture-level city, it also serves as the political, economic, technological, and educational centre of the province, as well as a major transportation hub for Central China...
, Henan
Henan
Henan , is a province of the People's Republic of China, located in the central part of the country. Its one-character abbreviation is "豫" , named after Yuzhou , a Han Dynasty state that included parts of Henan...
province in 1979. Her work in new media
New media
New media is a broad term in media studies that emerged in the latter part of the 20th century. For example, new media holds out a possibility of on-demand access to content any time, anywhere, on any digital device, as well as interactive user feedback, creative participation and community...
has been exhibited around China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, especially in Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
and Shanghai, as well as in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
and Brussels
Brussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
. She plays a key role in the art collective Liu Dao
Liu Dao
Liu Dao Liu Dao Liu Dao (a Pinyin phrase meaning "island number 6" - , is an international multidisciplinary art collective based in Shanghai, China. Liu Dao was founded in 2006 by island6 Arts Center under the direction of French curator Thomas Charvériat. Liu Dao is an electronic art group...
of the island6 Arts Center
Island6
is a not-for-profit, artist-run space in Shanghai, P.R.C. founded in 2006 by French curator/artist Thomas Charvériat.island6's mission is to provide a forum for contemporary artists whose works explore social, aesthetic,...
, a not-for-profit, artist-run collective of visual artists, photographers, graphic designers, filmmakers, electronic engineers, dancers and choreographers based in Shanghai.
Background
Zhang has a background in fine arts studies and her primary interest is in the field of photographyPhotography
Photography is the art, science and practice of creating durable images by recording light or other electromagnetic radiation, either electronically by means of an image sensor or chemically by means of a light-sensitive material such as photographic film...
, particularly in alternative photographic tools, which she has extensively researched. She also works with old photographs, giving them a new lease of life through reanimation and the application of 3D techniques.
Her artworks bring together the fields of photography and fine arts. She is deeply influenced by feminist issues and she draws inspiration from feminist artists like Barbara Kruger
Barbara Kruger
Barbara Kruger is an American conceptual artist. Much of her work consists of black-and-white photographs overlaid with declarative captions—in white-on-red Futura Bold Oblique or Helvetica Ultra Condensed...
. She has traveled extensively in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
and participated in various arts festivals like the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival
Kala Ghoda Arts Festival
The Kala Ghoda Arts Festival is an annual festival, usually around nine days long, held in late January or early February, in the Kala Ghoda area of South Mumbai, India....
in South Mumbai
South Mumbai
South Mumbai , sometimes incorrectly referred to by English Media as "SoBo" , the southern-most precinct of the city of Mumbai, India, comprises the city's main business localities and its adjoining areas...
, India, a celebration of dance
Dance
Dance is an art form that generally refers to movement of the body, usually rhythmic and to music, used as a form of expression, social interaction or presented in a spiritual or performance setting....
, drama
Drama
Drama is the specific mode of fiction represented in performance. The term comes from a Greek word meaning "action" , which is derived from "to do","to act" . The enactment of drama in theatre, performed by actors on a stage before an audience, presupposes collaborative modes of production and a...
, literature
Literature
Literature is the art of written works, and is not bound to published sources...
, film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
and street art. These experiences have shaped her artistic direction and exploration of gender issues in her work.
Liu Dao
Zhang joined the Liu Dao art collective at island6 in 2007 and has been an integral pillar of the collective ever since, exhibiting in a series of tightly curated shows. She works closely with artists and engineers of various backgrounds, assimilating their talents and skills to create collaborative artwork. Zhang’s work in Liu Dao fuses natural and digitalDigital
A digital system is a data technology that uses discrete values. By contrast, non-digital systems use a continuous range of values to represent information...
forms and marries the two seemingly disparate concepts of tradition and modernity. The multidisciplinary approach of Zhang and the collective produce innovative and exciting artworks.
These artworks afford us an intimate glimpse into a spectrum of emotions, problems and patterns in the interactions between men and women. At the same time, the collaborative effort both represents a harmonization as well as a variety of current artistic statements.
Preservation
Zhang uses different electronic tools and 3DStereoscopy
Stereoscopy refers to a technique for creating or enhancing the illusion of depth in an image by presenting two offset images separately to the left and right eye of the viewer. Both of these 2-D offset images are then combined in the brain to give the perception of 3-D depth...
techniques to bring back to life old negative
Negative
- Science and mathematics :* Negative number* Negative mass* Negative energy * Electrical polarity* Negative result * Negative lenses, uses to describe diverging optics, see lens - Photography :...
s which she located from different regions around China. She animate
Animate
is the retailing arm of MOVIC and is the largest retailer of anime, games, and manga in Japan. The first and headquarters store of Animate opened in 1983 and is located in Ikebukuro, a district in Tokyo, Japan. Currently, there are 38 Animate stores in Japan, and two in Taipei, Taiwan...
s still photography and infuses modern elements such as white light holograms into old photographs. Her techniques simultaneously preserve the traditional and the historical while renewing and reinterpreting the past and our perspectives of it.
Renewal
One of her projects, "Where the Beauty Stays" (美-丽), is a series of ten photographic artworks created with a pinhole cameraPinhole camera
A pinhole camera is a simple camera without a lens and with a single small aperture – effectively a light-proof box with a small hole in one side. Light from a scene passes through this single point and projects an inverted image on the opposite side of the box...
with which she captured a series of old women in their underwear. It is an intimate, tender exploration of emotions in which the process of creation and the sentimental impetus
Impetus
Impetus may refer to:* Impetus , a re-release of the EP Passive Restraints* Impetus , a concept very similar to momentum* Jean Buridan#Impetus Theory, middle-ages treatment on impetus and its originator Jean Buridan...
driving it both surprises as well as intrigues the audience. The juxtaposition of tradition with technology creates an elegant and complex sensory environment that audiences can be immersed in.
Exhibitions and Honors
Zhang and Liu Dao's first group exhibition was held within the 2007 Shanghai eArts festival. With Liu Dao in 2009, Zhang was collected by White Rabbit Gallery in Sydney, Australia, and in May 2010, Zhang was chosen by Red Gate Gallery to be represented at the Hong KongHong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
Art Fair.
Exhibitions
| Year | Title | Venue | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | "The Big Bang" | White Rabbit Gallery | Sydney Sydney Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people... , Australia Australia Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area... |
| 2010 | "Prophecies" | island6 Arts Center Island6 is a not-for-profit, artist-run space in Shanghai, P.R.C. founded in 2006 by French curator/artist Thomas Charvériat.island6's mission is to provide a forum for contemporary artists whose works explore social, aesthetic,... |
Shanghai, China |
| 2010 | "Raining Stars" | The Louis Vuitton Louis Vuitton Louis Vuitton Malletier – commonly referred to as Louis Vuitton , or shortened to LV – is a French fashion house founded in 1854 by Louis Vuitton. The label is well known for its LV monogram, which is featured on most products, ranging from luxury trunks and leather goods to ready-to-wear, shoes,... Gallery |
Macau Macau Macau , also spelled Macao , is, along with Hong Kong, one of the two special administrative regions of the People's Republic of China... |
| 2010 | "Garden of Autumn Vapours" | Red Gate Gallery | Beijing, China |
| 2010 | "Absolute 0:00" | island6 Arts Center Island6 is a not-for-profit, artist-run space in Shanghai, P.R.C. founded in 2006 by French curator/artist Thomas Charvériat.island6's mission is to provide a forum for contemporary artists whose works explore social, aesthetic,... |
Shanghai, China |
| 2010 | "HK Artfair 2010" | Hong Kong Art Fair, curated by Brian Wallace | Hong Kong Hong Kong Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour... |
| 2010 | "Psychic Apparatus" | island6 Arts Center Island6 is a not-for-profit, artist-run space in Shanghai, P.R.C. founded in 2006 by French curator/artist Thomas Charvériat.island6's mission is to provide a forum for contemporary artists whose works explore social, aesthetic,... |
Shanghai, China |
| 2010 | "The Light Fantastic" | Louis Vuitton Louis Vuitton Louis Vuitton Malletier – commonly referred to as Louis Vuitton , or shortened to LV – is a French fashion house founded in 1854 by Louis Vuitton. The label is well known for its LV monogram, which is featured on most products, ranging from luxury trunks and leather goods to ready-to-wear, shoes,... Cultural Space, curated by Jonathan Thomson |
Taipei, Taiwan |
| 2010 | "Libido, Mortido" | island6 Arts Center Island6 is a not-for-profit, artist-run space in Shanghai, P.R.C. founded in 2006 by French curator/artist Thomas Charvériat.island6's mission is to provide a forum for contemporary artists whose works explore social, aesthetic,... |
Shanghai, China |
| 2010 | "Fakirs" | island6 Arts Center Island6 is a not-for-profit, artist-run space in Shanghai, P.R.C. founded in 2006 by French curator/artist Thomas Charvériat.island6's mission is to provide a forum for contemporary artists whose works explore social, aesthetic,... |
Shanghai, China |
| 2009 | "Placebo" | island6 Arts Center Island6 is a not-for-profit, artist-run space in Shanghai, P.R.C. founded in 2006 by French curator/artist Thomas Charvériat.island6's mission is to provide a forum for contemporary artists whose works explore social, aesthetic,... |
Shanghai, China |
| 2009 | "30 Degrees" | island6 Arts Center Island6 is a not-for-profit, artist-run space in Shanghai, P.R.C. founded in 2006 by French curator/artist Thomas Charvériat.island6's mission is to provide a forum for contemporary artists whose works explore social, aesthetic,... and Studio Rouge |
Shanghai, China |
| 2009 | "Synesthesia" | island6 Arts Center Island6 is a not-for-profit, artist-run space in Shanghai, P.R.C. founded in 2006 by French curator/artist Thomas Charvériat.island6's mission is to provide a forum for contemporary artists whose works explore social, aesthetic,... |
Shanghai, China |
| 2009 | "The Artist Died Yesterday" | island6 Arts Center Island6 is a not-for-profit, artist-run space in Shanghai, P.R.C. founded in 2006 by French curator/artist Thomas Charvériat.island6's mission is to provide a forum for contemporary artists whose works explore social, aesthetic,... |
Shanghai, China |
| 2008 | "Automata" | island6 Arts Center Island6 is a not-for-profit, artist-run space in Shanghai, P.R.C. founded in 2006 by French curator/artist Thomas Charvériat.island6's mission is to provide a forum for contemporary artists whose works explore social, aesthetic,... and ifa gallery Ifa gallery ifa gallery is a contemporary art gallery in Shanghai, China. The name ifa comes from Chinese 艺 and 法 , meaning methods of art, with the name in English taking a similar pronunciation: .... |
Shanghai, China |
| 2008 | "Urban Lust" | island6 Arts Center Island6 is a not-for-profit, artist-run space in Shanghai, P.R.C. founded in 2006 by French curator/artist Thomas Charvériat.island6's mission is to provide a forum for contemporary artists whose works explore social, aesthetic,... and ifa gallery Ifa gallery ifa gallery is a contemporary art gallery in Shanghai, China. The name ifa comes from Chinese 艺 and 法 , meaning methods of art, with the name in English taking a similar pronunciation: .... |
Shanghai, China |
| 2008 | "Clouds of Crowds" | island6 Arts Center Island6 is a not-for-profit, artist-run space in Shanghai, P.R.C. founded in 2006 by French curator/artist Thomas Charvériat.island6's mission is to provide a forum for contemporary artists whose works explore social, aesthetic,... |
Shanghai, China |
| 2008 | "PlugIT" | Blue Lotus Gallery | Fotan, Hong-Kong |
| 2008 | "Made in Shanghai" | island6 Arts Center Island6 is a not-for-profit, artist-run space in Shanghai, P.R.C. founded in 2006 by French curator/artist Thomas Charvériat.island6's mission is to provide a forum for contemporary artists whose works explore social, aesthetic,... |
Shanghai, China |
| 2008 | "Made in China" | island6 Arts Center Island6 is a not-for-profit, artist-run space in Shanghai, P.R.C. founded in 2006 by French curator/artist Thomas Charvériat.island6's mission is to provide a forum for contemporary artists whose works explore social, aesthetic,... |
Shanghai, China |
| 2007 | "Eurasia One" | island6 Arts Center Island6 is a not-for-profit, artist-run space in Shanghai, P.R.C. founded in 2006 by French curator/artist Thomas Charvériat.island6's mission is to provide a forum for contemporary artists whose works explore social, aesthetic,... |
Shanghai, China |
| 2007 | "Nuit Blanche" (first Asian edition) | Shanghai Exhibition Center | Shanghai, China |
| 2007 | “Remote/Control” curated by Wenny Teo and Ella Liao | Museum of Contemporary Art | Shanghai, China |
| 2007 | "Bits, Bytes and Pixels" | ifa gallery Ifa gallery ifa gallery is a contemporary art gallery in Shanghai, China. The name ifa comes from Chinese 艺 and 法 , meaning methods of art, with the name in English taking a similar pronunciation: .... |
Shanghai, China |
| 2006 | "Forward/Backward and Reloading" | island6 Arts Center Island6 is a not-for-profit, artist-run space in Shanghai, P.R.C. founded in 2006 by French curator/artist Thomas Charvériat.island6's mission is to provide a forum for contemporary artists whose works explore social, aesthetic,... |
Shanghai, China |
| 2006 | "Invisible Layers, Electric Cities” | island6 Arts Center Island6 is a not-for-profit, artist-run space in Shanghai, P.R.C. founded in 2006 by French curator/artist Thomas Charvériat.island6's mission is to provide a forum for contemporary artists whose works explore social, aesthetic,... |
Shanghai, China |
External links
- Zhang Deli.com : Artist’s Web Site
- Saatchi Gallery : Tree of Wishes
- Zhang Deli : ArtSlant
- Zhang Deli : One Art World
See also
- island6Island6is a not-for-profit, artist-run space in Shanghai, P.R.C. founded in 2006 by French curator/artist Thomas Charvériat.island6's mission is to provide a forum for contemporary artists whose works explore social, aesthetic,...
, art space that founded and sponsors the Liu Dao's collective. - New media artNew media artNew media art is a genre that encompasses artworks created with new media technologies, including digital art, computer graphics, computer animation, virtual art, Internet art, interactive art, computer robotics, and art as biotechnology...
- interactive artInteractive artInteractive art is a form of installation-based art that involves the spectator in a way that allows the art to achieve its purpose. Some installations achieve this by letting the observer or visitor "walk" in, on, and around them; Some others ask the artist to become part of the artwork.Works of...
- video artVideo artVideo art is a type of art which relies on moving pictures and comprises video and/or audio data. . Video art came into existence during the 1960s and 1970s, is still widely practiced and has given rise to the widespread use of video installations...
- Electronic artElectronic artElectronic art is a form of art that makes use of electronic media or, more broadly, refers to technology and/or electronic media. It is related to information art, new media art, video art, digital art, interactive art, internet art, and electronic music...
- Digital artDigital artDigital art is a general term for a range of artistic works and practices that use digital technology as an essential part of the creative and/or presentation process...
- LED artLED artLED Art is form of light art constructed from light-emitting diodes. Many artists that use LEDs are guerilla artists, incorporating LEDs to produce temporary pieces in public places. LEDs are very inexpensive to purchase and have become a new way to make street art...