“Qiuzhuang Project” (2012.01-2013.07), is a long-term intervention piece that Li Mu produced in his hometown. The main focus was about reproducing and exhibiting important works from the Van Abbemuseum in the Netherlands. 10 artworks by 8 artists were personally selected by Li Mu with the following criteria: first, the work could have a connection to the village, and second, the work could build a new connection with the village. In the process of creating this work, he did not mean to instill Western culture on the local villagers, but rather create a new environment in which they could experience art. Li Mu has managed to use his art, knowledge, and experience to establish relationships within his village to foster development and influence. 

The topic chosen for the current exhibition is an “encounter” between Lu Daode and Sol LeWitt. Li Mu invited the village’s old painter, Lu Daode, to reproduce two wall paintings by Sol LeWitt (Wall Drawing No. 256, Wall Drawing No. 480). Audience can see the records of the production process, and interview videos of Lu Daode’s, as well as daily reports of the program during “Qiuzhuang Project.”

About the Artist

Li Mu, born 1974 in Jiangsu Province, studied at Tsinghua University’s Academy of Art, lives and works out of Suzhou and Shanghai, was a finalist for the CREDIT SUISSE Today Art Award in 2011, and was given residency at New York’s ISCP (International Studio & Curatorial Program) by the Asian Cultural Council (ACC) in 2012. His art practice focus on video installation and performance art. From 2008 to 2009 he worked on “The Blue Books,” a project that aimed to spread artistic influence among teenagers. In 2010, collaboration between the Shanghai World Expo and the Van Abbemuseum in Eindhoven produced the exhibition “Double Infinity” that gave rise to “Qiuzhuang Project”.