TANG JING
REMNANT
CURATED BY SONG ZHENXI
CO-CURATED BY GONG HAOYAN
There are parts of the world untouched by capital that the artist refers to as the “remaining”. Artist Tang Jing lives in Wuhan, China, a metropolis in the midst of urbanization. He occupies most of his time seeking the remaining parts of the world. Through his lens these forgotten corners of the world are cut off with the illusion of reality; the expressiveness of the light and shadow remove the simple narrative of documentary visualization. This gives his objects the quality of an artistic, literary fable. His lucky audience is permitted to enter an unmanned zone, the zone of fantasy, that reflects human civilization in a novel way.
Tang Jing’s image is in a race with the illusion world, forming gaps inside the structures of the city that allow the viewer to enter. His work is reminiscent of the French photographer Eugene Atget (1857-1927), who similarly was looking for a real world entrance during the urbanization of Paris. Atget was not trying to establish a humanitarian language of images, but was instead trying to construct a silent critique. Now, Tang Jing’s creation can be said to be a tribute to Eugene Atget.
Tang Jing, Hankou Derun Community House I, 2017. Archival Pigment Print, 100 x 125cm. Courtesy of the artist.
Tang Jing, Hongshan Stadium, 2017. Fantac giclee print, 180 cm x 235 cm. Courtesy of the artist.
Tang Jing, Hualou Street Bronze Shop, 2017. Fantac giclee print, 100cm x 140cm. Courtesy of the artist.
Tang Jing, Hualou Street Chinese Medicine Store, 2017. Fantac giclee print, 100 cm x 140 cm. Courtesy of the artist.
Tang Jing, Mingzhu Road Christian Wuchang Church, 2017. Fantac giclee print, 180cm x 235cm. Courtesy of the artist.