Liu Bolin

Liu Bolin - Biography

Liu Bolin is a contemporary artist from China who is famous for his camouflage performances. He was born in Shandong province in 1973 and studied sculpture at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing. He graduated with a master’s degree in 2001. 

Liu Bolin’s art is a form of social critique that challenges the authority and legitimacy of the art institutions, the government, and society. His art reflects his personal experiences and concerns as a Chinese artist who witnessed the rapid economic and political changes in his country, as well as the destruction of his studio and his village Suo Jia Cun in 2005.

Liu Bolin’s art is not only visually striking but also politically and socially relevant. He addresses various issues such as climate change, poverty, immigration, war, and corruption, and exposes the hypocrisy and injustice of the world. His art is often controversial, provocative, and humorous, and invites the viewers to reflect and act on the problems that affect them and their communities.

Liu Bolin’s art is a unique and influential phenomenon that has changed the perception and appreciation of street art. His art is not only a form of expression, but also a form of resistance and activism that challenges the norms and values of the society. Liu Bolin’s art is a voice that speaks for the voiceless, and a vision that inspires change.

Liu Bolin - The Invisible Man

Liu Bolin has earned the nickname of “The Invisible Man” for his amazing ability to disappear into any background. Using body painting and precise positioning, Liu Bolin creates stunning optical illusions that make him seem to merge with the surrounding environment.

Liu Bolin’s photographs are not only a visual spectacle but also a powerful statement about the loss of identity and individuality in the modern world. He challenges the viewers to question the role of technology, consumerism, and social conformity in shaping our lives and values.

Liu Bolin started his Hiding in the City series in 2005 after his studio in Beijing was demolished by the government. He decided to use his body as a canvas to protest against the destruction of his artistic space and the lack of recognition for Chinese artists. Since then, he has expanded his project to include various locations around the world, such as supermarkets, libraries, monuments, and landmarks.

Liu Bolin’s work is a combination of photography, installation, performance, and body painting. He spends hours preparing each scene, with the help of his assistants who paint his body and clothes to match the background. He then stands still in front of the camera, sometimes for several minutes, until he becomes almost invisible. The final result is a photograph that captures his astonishing camouflage.

Liu Bolin explains his motivation for his art as follows:

“It is a gesture of denunciation. What is the development of the human being today and where does it lead? Man is disappearing in his environment. Technology has brought much material development, but to remain human, what is one to do? I do not want to get lost in this maze, so I choose this form of defense."

Liu Bolin’s photography works have been exhibited in many galleries and museums around the world and have received international acclaim. He has also collaborated with other artists, celebrities, and brands, such as JR, Annie Leibovitz, Kenny Scharf, and Moncler. He continues to explore new themes and challenges in his art and to surprise his audience with his incredible invisibility.

Liu Bolin Photography: Most Iconic Works and Series

Liu Bolin’s works explore themes such as identity, invisibility, social critique, and the relationship between humans and their environment. 

One of his most renowned series is Hiding in the City, which he started in 2005 as a silent protest against the demolition of his studio and village in Beijing by the Chinese government. In this series, he painted himself to match the surroundings of different locations in China, such as the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, a supermarket, a construction site, and a graffiti wall. He aimed to highlight the issues of censorship, consumerism, urbanization, and cultural heritage in his country.

After Hiding in the City, Liu Bolin shifted his attention to Italy to create the cycle of work, Hiding in Italy. He wanted to focus these works on the preservation of Italy’s historical and artistic heritage as a contradiction to what was happening in China. The Colosseum is one of the most famous and iconic works of the series, showing how the artist managed to merge with one of the most important monuments of Ancient Rome in the world. He also hid himself in other symbolic places in Italy, such as the Duomo in Milan, the Piazza di Spagna in Rome, and the Sala del Trono in the Reggia di Caserta.

In 2011, Liu Bolin created another series of works entitled, Hiding in New York, in which the artist merged with some of the landmarks of the Big Apple. He camouflaged himself in front of the Statue of Liberty, the Wall Street Bull, the United Nations Headquarters, and the Brooklyn Bridge, among others. He wanted to reflect on the cultural diversity, the social challenges, and the artistic vitality of New York City.

The artist then decided to return to Italy to create a new project entitled, Fade in Italy. In this series of works, Liu Bolin decided to pay homage to Made in Italy, i.e. the production heritage of the Bel Paese that is appreciated all over the world. The artist chose companies and spaces that symbolize Italian production as the stage for his performances, to get at the primary values that characterize Made in Italy. He hid himself in a Ferrari factory, a Prada store, a pasta factory, and a wine cellar, among others. He wanted to celebrate the excellence, creativity, and innovation of Italian products and industries.

In 2015, he created the Migrants series, which addresses an important social issue for Liu Bolin. Migrants aims to narrate the current phenomenon of migratory processes from Africa to Europe. The works were created in Catania, Sicily, in the emblematic places that mark this migratory phenomenon. He hid himself and other migrants in front of a boat, a fence, a tent, and a mural, among others. He wanted to raise awareness, empathy, and solidarity for the plight of migrants who risk their lives to seek a better future.

Liu Bolin’s works are not only visually stunning but also conceptually powerful. They challenge the viewers to look beyond the surface, to question reality, and to engage with the social and cultural issues that the artist addresses. Liu Bolin is not an invisible man, but a visible voice.

LIU BOLIN ORIGINAL ART FOR SALE ONLINE ON DEODATO.US

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