Foshan Swings

Foshan

BAM delivers two separate art sites for this Art Field, both located on Xichao Mountain. They are titled "Landing" and "Swing Up".

LANDING:
The site is a pond with seasonal water level changes, which we see as a microcosmic ocean. Sculptural pillars rise from the seabed and witness the ebb and flow of the tides. Some mythical creatures in the water have already come ashore, while others are still striving for the opportunity. The shelter under the eaves serves as a lighthouse, illuminating the moment of celebration for all the creatures that have come ashore.

The language on the roof is derived from the local architectural ridge forms in Foshan and has been abstracted. The fluorescent colors emerge as a visual threshold, a kind of liminal retinal space under the dark shade of the Camphor trees. The square support columns simulate the bent stalks of the hyper-exotic plant species "Square Bamboo" within the site area.

At a detail level, one can see ceramic crafts fixed on the submerged and suspended logs, depicting details of the water level. The crafts are sourced locally from Foshan, and the theme of mythical creatures (animals) is also responded to in another artwork called "Swing Up."

SWING UP:
With the swing's motion, it carries the auspicious blessings of Lingnan culture and the good fortune of "Gao sheng."

The traditional lion dance form is deconstructed and reorganized, with certain auspicious elements enlarged or connected together. The main elements, the eyes, have various shapes—some appear sleepy, while others are sharp and piercing. The mouth is wide open, revealing teeth and a tongue. The spring is fixed to the lion's nose and rests on its beard, gently swaying in the wind. The lion's legs are in a dancing pose, ready to ascend, and the pattern is also reconstructed. Similar to "Landing," the support column, simulating the bending of the "Sifang bamboo" plant, is connected to the lion's feet, abstracted into four longer lion legs. These four "lucky feet" firmly touch the ground, as the saying goes, "Touch the lion's feet, and happiness will come."