Zhang Xu Zhan
In his works, ZHANG XU Zhan honors his family’s tradition of trading paper figures commonly used for ritual ceremonies and funerals in Taiwan. For his experimental films and stop-motion animations, he creates dreamlike and mysterious landscapes inhabited by nature spirits, mythological creatures, animals, and plants. These fictional worlds serve as a setting for bizarre and surreal stories unveiling the artist’s personal experiences, as well as shared memories and stories.
Exploring the dialogue and connections between Taiwanese and global international culture, ZHANG is interested in the constant flow and mutual exchange of knowledge. For example, how oral stories develop their localized version in different regions, or how music can change its meaning in circulation. In his latest artistic practice, he focuses on folk tales as an embodiment of local mythologies and beliefs, discovering the similarities that can be found in texts all over the world. He brings together these different variations, creating his unique version of the story.
The work Compound Eyes of Tropical is based on the well-known Southeast Asian folk tale The Mouse-deer Crosses the River, where the original plot is combined with motifs collected from different regions. It tells the story of a Mouse deer, a small animal that is a common folktale character in Malay culture, who outsmarts a crocodile. The viewers are witnessing a riverbank scene, where the main protagonist, as well as other characters of the story, rapidly change their appearance, turning into animals from other tales with a similar theme. The symbol of a mirror, which emerges throughout the video, reflects different identities and reveals interconnected narratives.
The walls and ceiling of the space are covered with newspapers – a symbol of the skin of gods and mythical beasts. Collected specially for the exhibition from various sources, they not only transform the room into a simulacrum of one of ZHANG XU Zhan’s worlds, but also continue the dialogue across different texts and stories.
In his works, ZHANG XU Zhan honors his family’s tradition of trading paper figures commonly used for ritual ceremonies and funerals in Taiwan. For his experimental films and stop-motion animations, he creates dreamlike and mysterious landscapes inhabited by nature spirits, mythological creatures, animals, and plants. These fictional worlds serve as a setting for bizarre and surreal stories unveiling the artist’s personal experiences, as well as shared memories and stories.
Exploring the dialogue and connections between Taiwanese and global international culture, ZHANG is interested in the constant flow and mutual exchange of knowledge. For example, how oral stories develop their localized version in different regions, or how music can change its meaning in circulation. In his latest artistic practice, he focuses on folk tales as an embodiment of local mythologies and beliefs, discovering the similarities that can be found in texts all over the world. He brings together these different variations, creating his unique version of the story.
The work Compound Eyes of Tropical is based on the well-known Southeast Asian folk tale The Mouse-deer Crosses the River, where the original plot is combined with motifs collected from different regions. It tells the story of a Mouse deer, a small animal that is a common folktale character in Malay culture, who outsmarts a crocodile. The viewers are witnessing a riverbank scene, where the main protagonist, as well as other characters of the story, rapidly change their appearance, turning into animals from other tales with a similar theme. The symbol of a mirror, which emerges throughout the video, reflects different identities and reveals interconnected narratives.
The walls and ceiling of the space are covered with newspapers – a symbol of the skin of gods and mythical beasts. Collected specially for the exhibition from various sources, they not only transform the room into a simulacrum of one of ZHANG XU Zhan’s worlds, but also continue the dialogue across different texts and stories.
Special prize
Commenting on Zhang Xu Zhan as the winner of the special prize, the Jury said:
“Zhang Xu Zhan’s work transforms a family heritage into a radically contemporary expression combining traditional paper making with digital language. He creates surprisingly refreshing and pleasant new realms in which the destiny of humans and animals, society and nature, materiality and spirituality vividly and playfully interact each other. Eventually, traditions of imaginary practices and cultural aspirations are transcended into a new utopia of death, hope and joy coming together.”
