Play this free online game and tell us which conversation has the funniest line in the game world or tell us what would be a funny line to add to the game world.
Installing Amazing Laughter at Morton Triangle. Photo by Dan Fairchild.
It was a gorgeous September day when Yue Minjun’s super-popular figurative sculpture was unpacked from the boxes that it had been shipped across the Pacific in.
A giant crane plucked the figures from the boxes and raised them into the sky. Still wrapped in plastic, glistening in the sunlight.
The crane put the figures gently down into Morton Triangle where they were put in place and quickly became the most popular pieces of the first part of the Vancouver Biennale Exhibition 2009 – 2011.
Installing Amazing Laughter at Morton Triangle. Photo by Dan Fairchild.
Patinated bronze Yue Minjun (China)
Yue Minjun uses his own iconic face in a state of hysterical laughter as a signature trademark.
Recognized universally as a sign of happiness, the smile raises questions of intent and interpretation.
One of the most influential contemporary artists in China, Yue Minjun represents the new wave of Chinese artistic freedom. Amazing Laughter marks Yue MOnjun’s Canadian debut.
In Amazing Laughter Beijing-based artist Yue Minjun depicts his own iconic laughing image, with gaping grins and closed eyes in a state of hysterical laughter.
These laughing figures are the signature trademark of the artist. They are not a conventional self-portrait, as they tell us little about the person portrayed or of the reason they are laughing so hysterically.
The longer you look at these cast bronze figures, the more the contradiction of the silent, frozen form of sculpture begins to intrude. We see, but do not hear the laughter.
The contorted poses of the figure suggest animation and a cartoon form of an anonymous person. The laughter appears to be convulsive, intense, and manic, but also insincere and forced. The scale is “un-naturally” large –exaggerated and excessive like the laughter.
Yue Minjun was a leading figure in what became to be known in the 1990’s as Cynical Realism, an artistic movement that emerged in China after the 1989 student demonstrations in Tiananmen and the suppression of artistic expression.
Humor, cynicism, repetition and an emphasis on the individual are common characteristics of this artistic movement. Yue Minjun was one of the first artists to translate this new ironic view of contemporary life, one that is expressed in the nihilistic hilarity at a time when little was funny.
For more information visit www.yueminjun.com
Installing Amazing Laughter at Morton Triangle. Photo by Dan Fairchild.
Mayor Gregor Robertson: Art Imitates Life. Photo by Kris Krug.
It was an early morning set-up at Morton Triangle for the Official Launch of the Vancouver Biennale 2009-2011. We were lucky that the rain held off for as long as it did. It almost looked like it might get sunny but alas during the speeches it started to rain a little bit.
About 150 people came down to participate in the launch and during the speeches the entire park was filled by our yellow In-Transit-Ion umbrellas.
Many dignitaries were on-hand to show their support for the Biennale and public art in the cities of Vancouver and Richmond.
Mayor Gregor Robertson spoke on behalf of the City of Vancouver and Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie expressed how pleased and optimistic he is for his city to be a part of this exhibition.
This is the first time that The City of Richmond has been a part of the Biennale. We are very proud to have already displayed Dennis Oppenheim’s Arriving Home at the International Arrivals Terminal at Vancouver International Airport.
The City of Richmond will soon have many more amazing pieces in their public parks and other locations including the forthcoming Wind Waves by Yvonne Domenge.
Sarah Blyth also spoke to the crowd on behalf of the Vancouver Parks Board. Her speech was excellent and it’s good to have such strong and passionate support from our friends at City Hall.
Please enjoy these photos taken at the event. From the masterful and very talented Kris Krug.
Dignitaries Await Their Turn to Speak. Photo by Kris Krug.
Check out this awesome video featuring Intrepid Vespa Riding Erin Ireland as she tries to find out “How Do You Pronounce Biennale“?
Shot a few weeks ago at Yue Minjun’s A-Mazing Laughter installation at Morton Triangle near English Bay, Erin has a lot of fun with people enjoying the sculpture as well as some random local celebrities who happen to be passing by.
