Pan Gongkai’s Melt (潘公凯：融) is a large-scale video installation that is concerned with the relationship between Chinese and Western art forms. Projected on the screen are images of withered lotuses gradually being covered by snow. The lotuses are derived from one of Pan’s large ink paintings, while the snow is composed with the words from the artist’s theoretical text, “On the Boundary of Western Modern Art.” The composition reflects Pan’s concern for the ways in which modern Western art has imposed itself upon traditional Chinese culture. Here, the withered lotuses can be seen as representing traditional Chinese literati culture, while the snow can be understood as part of a forced dialogue with the West. Although the snow might be viewed as threatening to blot out China’s artistic traditions, it can also be seen as the element of its regeneration. After all, it is this same snow that, when melted, nourishes future blossoms. Melt (or Snow Melt) was featured at the Chinese Pavilion of 54th Venice Biennale (2011).

This presentation is cosponsored by the Penny W. Stamps School of Art and Design at U-M.