See
Liu Bolin creates mesmerizing photographs where he camouflages himself seamlessly into various environments. His work is a blend of performance art, photography, and social commentary. By painting his body to match the background, he disappears into settings like grocery store shelves, historical landmarks, or political spaces, achieving an uncanny effect of invisibility. Look closely, can you find Liu?
Beijing-based artist Liu Bolin, combines photography and paint to literally ‘blend in.’ The artist initially photographs a scene wherein he will later be embedded. Then, after painstakingly applying colored paints to his clothing and exposed skin, he returns for another photo. Once he is in proper alignment, a second photo is taken that allows him to virtually disappear into the background. Bolin’s photos are not photoshopped or retouched in any manner. (procamera)
Liu Bolin's series Hiding in the City was born out of the governmental eviction and subsequent destruction of his Beijing studio in 2005. As a result, Liu began to use the city around him as a backdrop, painting himself to blend in with a landscape in constant flux. By literally blending into the city, Liu, who considers himself an outsider, creates a tension that challenges the viewer to question what is on and beneath the surface. (Time)
Liu Bolin Art Performance In Milan
MILAN, ITALY - MARCH 12: Chinese artist Liu Bolin checks his camouflage at Libreria Hoepli on March 12, 2024 in Milan, Italy. Represented in Italy by Galleria Gaburro. (Photo by Emanuele Cremaschi/Getty Images)
The artwork entitled Library is the final result of one of the famous performances by the Chinese artist Liu Bolin (1973), which took place at the historic headquarters of the Hoepli publishing house in Milan. This shot in particular pays homage to knowledge and learning. For this artwork, Liu Bolin chose to “camouflage” and fade into several volumes about art. To blend into several volumes about art for Liu Bolin means to assimilate the creative processes of other artists and make them his own.
Say
- "In a world where everyone strives to stand out, what statement does Liu Bolin make by choosing to disappear? How does this relate to your own experience of visibility and invisibility in society?"
- How does this art form challenge our usual ideas about portraiture?
- What location in your community would make an interesting backdrop for this type of art?
Do
Early in his career, Bolin closed his eyes in his work to be totally camouflaged. In his post 2013 images, even some of the commissions, he opened his eyes. "Because I think opening eyes is an attitude. says Bolin. Although we have problems, difficulties, even some of them unsolvable, closing our eyes means avoiding them. Opening our eyes is to face them head on."
- Compare this 'open eye' photo to the images above. How do the subjects' open eyes change your perception of the work?
Panama Papers (detail), 2016
- Try camouflaging yourself into a scene. Take a picture of yourself.
- Watch a TED talk aboiut the artist:
|
|
Loving the Weekly Wonder? Help me meet my goal to double my subscribers in March!
Please forward it to a friend or someone who you feel needs a dose of art and wonder right now!!
|
About the Artist: Liu Bolin
Liu Bolin was born in 1973 in Shandong, China. After graduating from the Shandong Academy of Fine Arts in 1995, he enrolled in Central Academy of Fine Arts and received his MFA in 1995. Known internationally as “The Invisible Man,” Liu Bolin sprang from a generation of artists struggling with the consequences of the Cultural Revolution and the rapid economic development in the decades after. Traversing mediums such as performance, photography, and social activism, Liu Bolin dissects the tense relationship between the individual and society by ‘disappearing’ into environments that are sites of intrigue, contention, and criticism.
His "Hiding in the City" series has been displayed in numerous museums and institutions across the globe. Inspired by his powerful visual messages, artists, institutions, and organizations such as The Louvre (Paris, France), Harper's Bazaar Magazine, JR, Carlos Cruz-Diez, Jon Bon Jovi and Kenny Scharf have invited Liu Bolin to collaborate on creative projects. In 2013, Liu presented a TED talk in Long Beach, California. In 2015, Liu was selected by United Nations backed campaign The Global Goals to create an image that conveyed 17 goals – including ending poverty, encouraging sustainable development and fight inequality and injustice – where he hid himself within 193 flags of the world. In 2016 and 2017 he participated in collaborations with Annie Leibovitz and Moncler for their Spring/Summer 2017 and Fall/Winter 2018 Campaigns. In 2024 he was commissioned a work by LVMH to be auctioned to benefit Hôpital Robert–Debré to help fight sickle cell anemia. (ELIKLEIN)
Please share your reflections with me by replying to this post, or post and tag my Wonder Wander Facebook or Instagram pages!
Browse the Weekly Wonder archives for more art and inspiration.