Chinese collective work shows “an expression of the spiritual power of people with disabilities”
For the opening ceremony of Winter Paralympics 2022held at the Bird’s Nest in Beijing on March 4, Chinese artist Jody Xiong was invited by principal director Zhang Yimou to create a technologically advanced art installation called “The Bloom”.
Xiong also directed a short film about the project which you can watch below.
Inspired by the artist’s 2014 work titled “Mind Art”, the project gathered 12 people with disabilities around an 8-meter-wide circular canvas to create a colorful smiley face by blowing up paint-filled balloons, using the power of their minds.
For the installation “The Bloom”, Xiong invited attendees to choose their favorite color to fill the balloons with detonators.
Each of them wore a brainwave capture device that sent a signal to activate the detonators, eventually splashing paint all over the screen.
The colorful cocktail formed an abstract “smiley face” intended to reward everyone who watches the film. “This experience is an expression of the spiritual power of people with disabilities,” observes the artist.
To adequately reflect the 2022 theme, Zhang Yimou convened a series of brainstorming sessions with Jody Xiong and other creators, including master Cai Guoqiang.
The result is a twist on the original 2014 ‘Mind Art’ scheme, adding more impact and emotion to the performance behind the ‘The Bloom’ installation.
* Through Designboom
Source: Terra
Benjamin Smith is a fashion journalist and author at Gossipify, known for his coverage of the latest fashion trends and industry insights. He writes about clothing, shoes, accessories, and runway shows, providing in-depth analysis and unique perspectives. He’s respected for his ability to spot emerging designers and trends, and for providing practical fashion advice to readers.
