// BLURB //
One staple of Japanese anime culture is the giant mech suit, operated by human beings mostly for the purpose of fighting other people wearing giant mech suits. No one can really pinpoint the exact reason for the popularity of mechs, but I have a theory. I think that who we think we are only makes up only a small part of our identity. Of course, you are the you that makes up the voice in your head. But you’re so much more than that. You’re the time you did well on that test in school, the woman you didn’t marry but should have, and, as uncomfortable as it may be, you are your parents. The ideas from these experiences and all the others feed into the version of you reading this text right now. The early creators of mecha anime knew this, and also knew the all-too-human resistance to the idea. But in a way, we’re all mechs, living our lives masked by a cold and weaponized exterior, just waiting for those rare and enjoyable moments when we can exit the cockpit.
One staple of Japanese anime culture is the giant mech suit, operated by human beings mostly for the purpose of fighting other people wearing giant mech suits. No one can really pinpoint the exact reason for the popularity of mechs, but I have a theory. I think that who we think we are only makes up only a small part of our identity. Of course, you are the you that makes up the voice in your head. But you’re so much more than that. You’re the time you did well on that test in school, the woman you didn’t marry but should have, and, as uncomfortable as it may be, you are your parents. The ideas from these experiences and all the others feed into the version of you reading this text right now. The early creators of mecha anime knew this, and also knew the all-too-human resistance to the idea. But in a way, we’re all mechs, living our lives masked by a cold and weaponized exterior, just waiting for those rare and enjoyable moments when we can exit the cockpit.
//EDITION, MEDIA, SIZE & WEIGHT//
Unique Edition, Shanghai 2018
Gongbi painting (工笔) on rice paper, teakwood frame
76(W)×106(H)×2.5(D) cm // 9.1 kg (framed)
//EXPOSURE//
“Fathers Of My Father” at island6 Main Space
Unique Edition, Shanghai 2018
Gongbi painting (工笔) on rice paper, teakwood frame
76(W)×106(H)×2.5(D) cm // 9.1 kg (framed)
//EXPOSURE//
“Fathers Of My Father” at island6 Main Space
//CREDITS//
Wang Tie Zhong 王铁中 (Gongbi) • Yeung Sin Ching 杨倩菁 (production supervisor) • Thomas Charvériat (art direction) • Irmantas Bortnikas (documentation) • Carlin Reinig (blurb)
Wang Tie Zhong 王铁中 (Gongbi) • Yeung Sin Ching 杨倩菁 (production supervisor) • Thomas Charvériat (art direction) • Irmantas Bortnikas (documentation) • Carlin Reinig (blurb)