The multimedia installation draws on interviews made by the curator with forty artists in Shanghai, who consider questions about the role of the artist, their relationship with the external world, the social consequences of their work and the international market’s effect on traditional modes of artistic production.. This presentation offers a dynamic anthropological insight into the urban panorama of modern Shanghai.
40 Questions:
Personal
1. Is an artist powerful? Do you like to be so?
2. Is an artist corruptible? Are you corruptible?
3. Have you ever been doubtful of you being an artist?
4. How do you deal with critics and criticism of your work?
5. Do you think that people should understand your art?
6. Do you find it necessary that a creative/artistic person have a belief?
7. Have you anything to say about art and fear?
8. What do you believe in?
9. During your career, when did you feel special, different, frustrated-and why?
Public
1. Does the artist have to take responsibility for the society he lives in?
2. Is “Decency” of concern for an artist?
3. How do you see the relationship between art and ethics?
4. How would you react, if a government agency/institution would commission you to produce a specific work of art for them?
5. What is the relationship between art and power?
6. What is the relationship between art and culture?
7. What and how – do you think – the relationship between Art and Politics should be?
8. Does art open conflicts? Should it do so?
9. What is the relationship between Art History and Ideology History? Is art History equivalent to Ideology History?
10. Do you still keep reading now? Is reading important for an artist?
11. How did people around you react to you calling yourself an artist?
12. What is the most important contribution of art to social life/society?
13. Do you feel to be a responsible factor in a social and cultural context? How?
Market
1. How do you arrive at a price for your art?
2. Do you like to share your money with your gallerist?
3. Is a curator a facilitator or an artist-user?
4. Is your art a product?
5. After you sold your art, do you miss it? Do you know where it is? Always?
6. Will you like to use your money to support young artists? Just to sponsor them?
7. Is art a mass product? Should it be?
8. Luxury and art, art and luxury? What do you think about this relationship
9. How do you believe the relationship with gallerists and artists should be?
Each flash-card corresponds to one card, two sets are produced one in English and one in Chinese.
