A group exhibition of both emerging and established Chinese artists exploring the dimensional shifts in personal space, both conceptually and physically, across the sociological landscape of China today. Through the transformation from a highly populated egalitarian society, where the concept hardly existed, to an environment of increasingly demarcated zones, the realm of personal space in China is still much contested and continually changing.

The metamorphosis of the physical terrain through China’s campaign of urbanization has seen over 200 cities sprout from farmlands and existing ones transform beyond recognition all within the span of 20 years. At the same time, newfound wealth, technology, international travel and communicative outlets, most formidably the internet, have condensed the world, making personal space potentially infinite. Identities are reshaped and intimacy redefined as virtual communities of individuals are forged over the world-wide-web. Middle class materialism and a quickly growing consumer society have seen comfort levels peak, while simultaneously social pressures and a sense of alienation mount.

The artists included in the exhibition have responded to these changes based on their own experiences and observations. Through video, photography and painting; from the private domains of intimacy to the domain of the public sphere, this exhibition endeavors to understand the complexity of personal space in China today.

Participating artists: Kai Xuan, Ma Daha, Shu Hao, Wang Peng, Wang Wei, Yixiangju Art Group, Zhang Yu, Zhuang Hui