[Wuxi] Art Excursion Recap: Transformative Learning

Highlights of the Trip

Marina Abramović’s exhibition “Transforming Energy” was especially captivating for the students. The immersive nature of her performance art challenged the conventions of traditional art forms and encouraged profound reflection on themes of human endurance and vitality. This unique experiential aspect not only engaged their senses but also prompted them to contemplate the deeper connections between art and the human experience.

El Anatsui’s exhibition “After the Red Moon” left the students in awe with its impressive scale and intricate detail. His innovative use of unconventional materials, coupled with the vast size of his installations, encouraged students to broaden their creative horizons and envision more ambitious art projects of their own.

Anish Kapoor’s exhibition “Drawings” presented a serene and introspective experience through his gouache paintings, offering a calming contrast to the other exhibitions. His exploration of form and space in these drawings allowed students to delve into the subtleties and depth that visual art can achieve. This thoughtful approach not only engaged their artistic sensibilities but also enriched their appreciation for the nuances of creative expression.

Common Themes and Learning Outcomes

The exhibitions centred on transformative experiences, audience engagement, and innovative uses of materials and techniques, prompting students to think critically and creatively about the role of art in expressing complex ideas and emotions.

Critical Analysis: By examining themes of human endurance and energy in Marina Abramović’s performance pieces, students improved their ability to critically analyse contemporary art.

Creative Expression: Engagement with El Anatsui’s works inspired students to explore texture and form through the use of unconventional materials, encouraging experimentation in their own artistic practices.Artistic Techniques: Exposure to Anish Kapoor’s drawings enhanced students’ comprehension of various drawing techniques, as well as the effective use of space and form in visual art.

Personal Curatorial Practice: Students gained insights into the curatorial practices of presenting art, which will inform their own exhibition planning for their IBDP Art Exhibition.Theoretical Understanding: The visits reinforced theoretical knowledge by connecting classroom experiences to real-world examples, allowing students to explore how contemporary artists convey complex ideas across different media.

Cultural Contexts: The exhibitions provided a global perspective on art, highlighting cultural narratives and diverse artistic practices, broadening students’ understanding of how art reflects and challenges societal values.We invite you to read and watch the reflections and insights of our students below, as they share their experiences through videos and written notes. Engaging with their reflections will provide you with a deeper understanding of their learning journey.

Snow Jiang 

The most surprising and memorable part of the visit for me is the final floor of the Marina Abramović’s exhibition “Transforming Energy” which is an engagement of entirely new participatory work. When we enter the fourth floor, the staff will let us wear a noise-cancelling headset, so that we can experience the works better. I particularly enjoyed the work “As Slow as Possible”; composed of a Metronome and deck chair, inviting people sit on the chair and listen to the metronome for as long as one wanted repeatedly. It reminded me to slow down and relax, stare into nothingness, which is especially important as the lives we lead today are busy and stressful.

Temmy Jiang

After visiting the exhibitions, I realized that art works can be presented to the audience in so many different forms, and also a variety of techniques and materials. For example, the use of stones and crystals by Marina Abramovic used in the creation of Transitory Objects, where interactive objects connecting the body to the earth are represented and derive from her research into Chinese medicine, which suggests a correspondence between minerals and parts of the body. In addition, the exhibition, After the red moon, by El Anatsui delivers a very striking visual effect, through its huge scale and use of scrap materials.

Olivia Zhao

I have been profoundly influenced by Marina Abramović’s art, particularly regarding bodily positioning and the use of crystals. The exhibition features several interactive installations that invite audience participation, such as engaging with crystals for healing practices. These installations aim to create a connection between the body and the earth, reflecting the artist’s research into Chinese medicine. The structures suggest a correspondence between various materials and specific parts of the body. A notable experience for me was on the final floor, where I lay in a bathtub filled with herbs, with a crystal positioned in front of me. This installation encouraged relaxation, allowing the herbs to play a healing role. Overall, I found the materials and methods used to engage and interact with the audience to be refreshingly innovative and inspiring.

Sistina He/Star Zhu/Yuki Zhi

Marina Abramović’s exhibition “Transforming Energy” offered a tranquil atmosphere, where the staff guided us to immerse ourselves quietly in our surroundings. I discovered that when I embrace the silence, I can experience sensations that often go unnoticed. Closing my eyes enhances this reality and allows me to connect with the art on a deeper level. This unique journey has truly been an extraordinary travel experience. Our second stop was the Shanghai Pudong Art Museum, where we explored El Anatsui’s captivating exhibition titled “After the Red Moon.” The installation featured hanging objects that represented Anatsui’s non-fixed artistic form and showcased his experimental approach to sculptural art. The large structures, made entirely of metal, left me in awe of their scale and intricate detail. Our last stop was at Anish Kapoor’s works, centred on the theme of emptiness. The striking visual impact of these pieces, created through a mesmerizing interplay of colour against a deep black background, was exhilarating. Next, we explored the delightful creations of En Iwamura, whose use of materials like ropes and ceramics infused her artworks with a gentle and inviting quality. Finally, we observed the works of Jean Baptiste Bernadet, characterized by a vibrant palette of pinks. The varying saturation levels of pink, combined with other colour elements, elicited diverse and captivating effects. Each exhibition offered a unique lens through which to experience contemporary art, enriching our understanding and appreciation of artistic expression.

Phoebe Feng

Among the three artists, Marina Abramović stands out to me as the most special. Her works of art are truly interactive, allowing us to participate and engage in unique experiences. Some of her most compelling pieces include the separation of black and white rice, meditating with our backs turned to a crystal stone while our eyes are closed, lying in a chair and listening to the sound of a ticking clock, and resting in a bathtub filled with grass while feeling the blades gently fall on our bodies. To enhance immersion, participants are provided with earmuffs during these experiences, creating a quieter, more contemplative environment. El Anatsui’s work is also fascinating. Through the documentary I watched, I learned how he transforms materials into powerful visual statements, demonstrating that the end result of a single creation can have a profound impact on viewers. Lastly, Anish Kapoor’s sculptures captivate me more than his paintings. There is something charming and intriguing about his sculptural forms that draws me in.

Emily Ge

What impressed me most was Marina Abramovic’s Great Wall Lover, who first showed her relationship with China. This section began with her bookcase and some medals and photos of the Yugoslav guerrillas. The bookcase was the important literature she learned from, including political theory and philosophy. Behind are several projections on the exhibition, which record her preparations before walking on the Great Wall, the interaction with local residents along the way, the encounter with Ulei, and her thoughts and explorations between art and the natural environment. This is very performance art. I have learned a lot of skills about the form of performance art.