散步去看展 | 余少龑的艺术书架
Champochic艺术书mini展
《余少龑的艺术书架》
The iterative process of artistic creation is fundamentally how artists discover their inner-self. More and more individual creators are adopting “artist books” as the means to “break and enter” the art world. In a recurring “0” to “1” process of lightweight artist books, creators explore and gradually hone their artistic expression and language. Many creators, perhaps without the title of an “artist” have emerged rapidly under a diversifying set of aesthetics standards. These individuals scattered outside the "center" of typical art scene, are constantly pushing the boundaries of art and together, ground building across different industries and fields.
Today, vibrant scenes of art book fairs and its peripheral developments, are fully of individual vitality and adheres to the spirits of decentralization. Amongst the artist books and zines that make it to the surface, image artists and photographers occupy evidently prominent.
As the first of many artist book pop-ups to come, the Champochic team has invited Chinese photographer Shaoyan Yu, to show and share his experience with regards to the making of artist books and also to showcase his work for the past 10 years.
The "art" of photography often falls on the observant nature and sensitivity of a photographer. Professional techniques are merely the stepping stone in. The profundity of the work has to come from the perspective and insight that one wields and possesses. Yet, there is always a little “something” more to the photography greats, in that words fail to define. Following this thought, the practice of photography is quite similar to Chinese calligraphy, in the sense that, there is an existing kind of "self" that transcends skills and technique, yet quite relevant and makes itself present in the creative process and result.
How does Shaoyan Yu, a 2011 graduate from the Hubei Academy of Fine Arts, majoring in Chinese calligraphy, embark on the road of art photography?
Well, the body acts before the mind.
Shaoyan Yu begin dipping his hands in artist books in 2014. Surely before his career as a “photographer", the act of taking photos, even in an amateur sense, must have already been an essential part of his lifestyle and goal. For eight years, Shaoyan Yu had lived in the cities of Dusseldorf and Berlin, Germany. During his days abroad, he participated in many art book fairs, opening up his horizons as an artist. And with each fair attended, his skills and abilities as an art photographer would grow along with his preparation for the artist books he produces.
Shaoyan Yu’s work documents static, independent, turbid, and fragmented pieces of memories and life. In the many pictures of people-less scenes perhaps what Shaoyan Yu wants us to see is actually a reflection of his inner self. There, he stands alone in a blank space, looking around, there is constant pondering. What am I? And what is this world?
Shaoyan Yu compares making artist books to curating an exhibition, it’s like planning exhibitions “on paper”. This process helps him sort out the intentional, casual, improvised and fragmented perceptions and images that came along. The repeated process of “nothing” to “something” that is embedded in the making of an artist book, represents a milestone in the ongoing non-stop process of making art itself. It provides him and creators alike with a “presentable” outcome in which they can share with others. Furthermore, timely feedback can be received and then they can move forth.
So, if you have a keen interest into photography, contemporary art and artist books, the Champochic team cordially invites you to Shaoyan Yu’s artist book pop-up event. We hope to inspire and trigger new thoughts and perspectives in the coming days.
展言 / 翻译：Peter C.
策展：散步去 Champochic
Artist of Champochic
余少龑(yǎn)
展期 Date: 2022.11.26 — 2022.12.18
艺术家在廊 Artist On site: 11.26
时间 Hours: 14:00 - 19:00（周二店休Tues. Closed）
地点 Venue: 散步去Champochic艺术商店
（厦门思明区民族路37号之一海祥大厦708室）