island6 Arts Center

island6 art collective is a Shanghai-based art group that places emphasis on innovation and interaction in works made at the studio of island6 Arts Center. The collective produces cutting edge, acclaimed art where the future of Asia is continuously contemplated, and the talents of new Chinese artists are elevated by working in the inspiration of a communal forum. island6's art ranges from visual, to interactive, conceptual, humorous, and somber - but it is always striking, always involving innovative takes on modern technology, and always the product of collaboration. Website: http://island6.org/

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“The Other's look makes me be beyond my being in this world and puts me in the midst of the world which is at once this world and beyond this world.” - Jean-Paul Sartre (1943)

Imagine someone staring at you through the keyhole of a door, without you knowing. Behind that door is a spectacle to be seen, a conversation to be heard.

In psychoanalysis, le regardor “the gaze,” is described as an awareness of others or oneself. In the words of existentialist philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre, a self-reflective consciousness, forced to recognize that it exists not only as its own gazing outward, but also as an object in the world of others. Being aware of itself, and in relation to others. In this case, you would be aware of someone spying on you. Would this change your behavior? Would you be interested in participating?

Voyeurism is an interesting activity; I believe in a way we are all bound to engage one way or another. With social media platforms like Douyin (抖音), TikTok, and Weibo (微博) we have access to millions of stories at the palm of our hands. But before social media and the world wide web, there were just windows. Windows upon windows filling up the empty roads and lighting the night sky with dimmed lights, whispers, and songs. Blinds and curtains to peek through, a whole other world inside asking to be seen. Join us at the island6 Arts Center and indulge in the secret Shanghai stories being told by your neighbors. Let’s not forget curiosity is a virtue, and a precious one.

Come join us from September 27th to December 27th, 2022. The show is just about to start.

Exhibition Page: https://island6.org/welcometotheneighborhood

Art Inquires: [email protected]

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"Seize The Means Of Pollination" (抓住授粉的方法)

Graffiti. When we strip the layers of painted meaning down to the brick, what are we left with? What were those early experimenters in 1983 New York City trying to express? The underground nature of the medium lends itself to an energetic feeling of wild reformation, of a mode that subverts not only the artworld, but those other forces of colonization, greed, and evil present in all corners of discourse. Were the imaginative needs of those artists so different from those of their forefathers? Is the Peranakan pattern on this vase any less graffiti than what’s painted onto the wall across the street? Maybe it boils down to a difference in the how rather than the what, a difference of expression rather than one of content. We’ve heard well-dressed people discuss in hushed yet excited tones heavy with the smell of expensive champagne that graffiti is a return to something primitive, to a preliterate time of big Gods and little gods, that it’s a “good investment…”. And so far, they’ve been right, but only because with a snap of their fingers and a clap of their hands, they’ve decided this is how it would be.

"Seize The Means Of Pollination" (抓住授粉的方法)

47*66cm. Unique

Art for sale contact [email protected]

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Canned strawberry bread, balls of lettuce, or perhaps a hot caffeinated drink, what are you in the mood for today? With vending machines crowding every corner and alleyway the possibilities are literally endless. So many choices, so little time! I wonder if it’s possible to have one too many options. In fact, psychologist Barry Schwartz argues that too much choice is harmful and can cause less happiness and satisfaction. So why make a decision anyways? Chinese philosopher Lin Yutang is quoted as saying “Besides the noble art of getting things done, there is a nobler art of leaving things undone”. In his view, character would be better cultivated through inaction and irresolution. I guess it depends which side of the coin you’re on. For the time being I think I’ll settle for an omikuji paper fortune, wish me luck!

"Sweet Hanbaiki" (甜美的贩卖机)

46.3*65.3cm. Unique

art for sale contact [email protected]

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"Every Sixth Day Of The First Month" (正月初六)

The nameless is the boundary of Heaven and Earth. The named is the mother of creation.- “Tao Te Ching”

Tian Yuan Di Fang (天圆地方), is a traditional philosophy that first appeared in the Chinese classic text “Tao Te Ching”. It literally means the sky was round and the earth was square. The concept became popular and heavily influenced the architecture of Chinese temples, with their square bases rooted to the ground and a circular or octagonal shape when viewed from above. Zengzi, one of Confucius’s disciples, had another theory - what the words truly implied is way more complex than a geographical description. The sky (round) and the earth (square) symbolize Yang (motion state) and Yin (stationary state). They balance and complement each other in Chinese philosophy. Thousands of years ago, as our ancestors looked upon the same sky we do now while standing firmly on Mother Earth, they sought the secrets of the universe and searched for the purpose of our existence. How exciting! At some point, we all have the experience of feeling deeply connected with something larger than ourselves. Personally, temples possess that kind of magic. They embody the wisdom and the faith carried by our ancestors in a mysterious yet obvious way. It celebrates life and all the inevitable forces that come with it. Now ladies, remember this when visiting temples. Find the perfect angle and strike a pose. After all, it’s your time to shine!

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"Nanke Dream" (南柯一梦)

“The Governor of Nanke” (南柯太守传) is a Tang dynasty short story about a man living an entire generation in the great kingdom of Ashendon, only to suddenly wake up and realize it was all a dream. Despite the vividness of that world, and the seeming passing of time, only a few hours had gone by. This legend is curiously similar to “Alice in Wonderland”, where the main protagonist travels to a fantasy world of her own in the hopes of finding herself. Clearly, the subject of dreams has been embedded into the very fabric of our being. While some theories suggest dreams are due to random brain activation, most agree with the Freudian theory which claims that they can reveal hidden emotions and desires. A royal road to the unconscious if you will! In ancient Rome and Greece, people believed dreams were messages sent directly from the gods that could predict the future. Whether we’re talking about interpreting the past or the time ahead it’s clear there is hidden meaning in our reveries. I wonder what secrets we’ll uncover when the lights turn off.

102*102cm. Unique art for sale contact [email protected]

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Goodbye "Seyi Life"👋👋 Who wouldn't want to live a life overlooking the Jura mountains, sipping Valais wine and eating warm fondue? And now you'll continue your sweet Seyi life by bringing warmth to the people in the Swiss hotel. Good luck and keep spreading the love🏔️💌🔥

Unique edition sold. Art inquires contact [email protected]

More art collection & behind-the-scenes by Liudao 👉 follow our IG: island6_gallery 👈

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"To the Moon and Back" (月亮在家迎你)

I’m cleaning this entryway for you to come through and I’m really counting on you to take me to the moon and back. Halfway won’t do. I want the ride, sure, but that’s not my only hope with this exchange. The amount of upkeep and diligent attention to detail I’ve invested just to make sure you notice when you come through…that deserves the hard promise of a full round trip. That deserves taking me up to the highest mountain and carrying me all the way back down, even if you break your back doing it. I don’t care about the amount of time it takes, I don’t care about the effort or the words or the intention. I only care that you take me somewhere I’ve never been and bring me back in one piece. Until then I’ll just sort of putz around and keep making sure everything looks tip-top.

art for sale: [email protected]

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"Magnolia Murmur" (木兰偶语)

“White glaze and blue flowers emerged from the fire, and the flowers are clearly distinguishable from the glaze.” -Chinese proverb

Blue and white porcelain, also known as qinghua (青花), has been popular among emperors, aristocrats, and common people in China since the 14th century. More than thirty types of flowers and sixty different styles were used in original designs during this period. Unique combinations culminated in particular Chinese blessings on each porcelain vase. An intricate message from the gods; what could be more poetic than that? Among these patterns, the magnolia flower is favored by artists the world over. It’s an alluring flower, with a haunting origin. Legend tells the story of two lovers who lived in Lushan Mountain, Amu and Alan. They were separated by the governor, who upon seeing the beauty Alan, kidnapped her to his mansion. Torn, Amu sneaked into the night to rescue his beloved. In their escape attempt, they were cornered and forced to jump into the Wangjian River. The next day their bodies were discovered together, and thus were buried side by side in the forest. Years later an imposing flower tree blossomed on the burial site, and the locals called it the “Magnolia Tree”. The magnolia flower symbolizes fearlessness and bravery in honor of the couple’s unyielding love. It’s a reminder that nature will always find a way. By sharing the story, we preserve the legend, like cleaning a vase, keeping the story fresh and alive in our memory.

102*102cm. unique art for sale contact [email protected]

our #ig: island6_gallery

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"Here And Always" (永远在这里)

What if the universe had no beginning? It is possible that it always existed. The no-boundary proposal by Stephen Hawking and James Hartle envisions the cosmos may have gradually expanded from an unknown point of zero size. Because the universe is constantly expanding, the origins could be traced by thinking in reverse. While backtracking, Hawking and Hartle discovered the universe gets smaller and smaller, reaching subatomic levels. At this point, space becomes separated from time. According to this proposal, questions about what happened “before” become meaningless because there is no traditional notion of time available. At this unknown point of zero size, time ceases to exist and is replaced by pure space. As Hartle explained, “We didn’t have birds in the very early universe; we have birds later on. … We didn’t have time in the early universe, but we have time later on.” Now it becomes difficult to imagine a world without “time”. No ticking clocks or pendulums swinging back and forth. Merely space and light, talks and walks, perhaps occasionally watering your favorite bonsai tree.

65*46cm. Unique artforsale contact [email protected]

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Au revoir "Petite Sardine Sans Aretes" 👋👋👋 Wish you a safe trip to Paris!!! We are overjoyed that your tale will continue to spread around the world. 🧜‍♀️🧜‍♀️

Art inquires: [email protected] Our ig: island6_gallery

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"Lane 24" (24号弄堂)

Welcome to my humble abode! Oh, how I adore the feeling of golden sunlight caressing my face through the windows; a warm and loving embrace to wake up to every morning. In my case, and it may seem a rare case, I love spending quality time indoors. There are limitless possibilities! Preparing succulent meals, watering my lovely Dujuan flowers, moving my body to the teachings of that handsome trainer on TV (you know who I’m talking about don’t you?). This is my home, my safe haven; “An inch of land, an inch of gold” (寸土寸金) as some would say; Also known as the sweet French concession. It’s quite an endearing atmosphere. My neighbors and I spend countless hours gossiping while sipping coffee and tea. It’s the perfect way to spend an afternoon. Here’s a fun fact, did you know one of the most famous poets and prose writers in modern China, Xu Zhimo, used to live here? Fascinating to think of all the old and new neighbors who will inhabit this neighborhood, the stories they will live, and the tales they will share. In the famous words of Henry David Thoreau, “How vain it is to sit down to write when you have not stood up to live.” Suddenly you realize you are in the right place, Lane 24, teeming with ordinary life and yet always a new story to be told.

51*51cm. unique art for sale contact [email protected]

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"Paw Me Up" (喵喵爪)

Physics is the study of the universe, from the smallest subatomic particles to the largest galaxies. It can also explain luck, since all of life is a matter of cause and effect. While it seems arbitrary and without method there is a very calculated system behind it all. The difference lies in how we perceive opportunities or mischances. UCLA Professor Maia Young finds that personality and attitude play into luck more than we realize. Being optimistic about life may just influence you to try harder. It’s this persistence that has a self-reinforcing effect, resulting in a “good luck cycle”. Believe and you will be rewarded! Luck and our behavior are very much intertwined and connected at the hip. The jīnmāo (招财猫) or Chinese lucky golden cat, is a symbol of wealth and prosperity ubiquitous in Asian cultures. Adorning businesses, homes, and windows of all kinds, author Katherine M. Ball describes it as “a simple and popular form of magic”. A magic trick that’s sure to sweep you off your feet and never let go.

"Paw Me Up" (喵喵爪) 51*51cm. Unique art for sale contact [email protected]

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"Whistle in The Waste" (垃圾中的口哨)

There’s a violent lot of solid beauty in the little pools of putrid pinks and purples and reds. It’s like sitting in a heavy wake of total failure. Worst-case scenarios and late-night worries fully confirmed. Seeing the worst of something is a full sort of liberation. Accepting it as that- an even fuller one maybe. Relishing in the disgusting, grime-filled, murky occasional shit-swaths of living…that’s the ultimate cool. And maybe cool is really just hitting an age where you become best friends with your demons and monsters. When you invite them to come down off your back and walk with you hand-in-hand off into becoming something new. When you can swim in your own filth and whistle in the waste, you’re good-to-go. Maybe if we could all just find the right filth that coats us prettily everything would be a little easier. And we could enjoy the swim instead of wonder if we're drowning.

96*106cm. Unique art for sale contact [email protected]

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Bye bye 216 Jiujiang road👋 👋 you are legendary! And you have left us with such beautiful and sweet memories. We remember it all💖 Now continue your journey to London🤩

Unique edition sold. For other art inquiries: [email protected]

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"Here And Always" (永远在这里)

What if the universe had no beginning? It is possible that it always existed. The no-boundary proposal by Stephen Hawking and James Hartle envisions the cosmos may have gradually expanded from an unknown point of zero size. Because the universe is constantly expanding, the origins could be traced by thinking in reverse. While backtracking, Hawking and Hartle discovered the universe gets smaller and smaller, reaching subatomic levels. At this point, space becomes separated from time. According to this proposal, questions about what happened “before” become meaningless because there is no traditional notion of time available. At this unknown point of zero size, time ceases to exist and is replaced by pure space. As Hartle explained, “We didn’t have birds in the very early universe; we have birds later on. … We didn’t have time in the early universe, but we have time later on.” Now it becomes difficult to imagine a world without “time”. No ticking clocks or pendulums swinging back and forth. Merely space and light, talks and walks, perhaps occasionally watering your favorite bonsai tree.

65*46cm. Unique art for sale contact [email protected]

Follow our ig: island6_gallery

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"Petite Sardine Sans Aretes" (小可爱沙丁罐头)

Unique Edition, Shanghai 2022 TFT display, acrylic painting on Plexiglass, media player, teakwood frame 51×51 cm

art for sale: [email protected]

our ig: island6_gallery

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"Kekou-Kele" (可口可乐)

Reinventing the bottle...the Coca-Cola glass bottle. A poetic container for the sweetest nectar. Bottles are so ubiquitous in everyday life that they can become invisible to most people. In fact, back in 1915 Coca-Cola held a competition to develop a new and distinctive design that was so unique you could recognize it just by touch even in the darkest room. The bottle designer, Earl R. Dean, and his team were inspired by the kola nut and wanted to incorporate it somehow. The first prototype however never made it to production since its middle diameter was larger than the base, making it unstable on conveyor belts. The issue was quickly solved by adjusting measurements and ta-da the iconic contour glass bottle we all love was born! Over the years Coca-Cola has released variations and new designs, but nothing beats the classic contour glass bottle. It has become a collector’s item, a piece of art to be displayed, cared for, admired. Bottles have intrigued artists for generations. It all began 2,000 years ago with the birth of glassblowing. Artistic revolutionaries such as Rene Magritte, Jean Dubuffet, and Marcel Duchamp have all experimented with its evolution from serving a utilitarian function to becoming something more abstract, ambiguous, beautiful. The more we know about the form and shape of the bottle itself, the more we understand the nature of its power over us. Next time you find yourself grabbing the cold, refreshing bottle, do so with care and affection. Slowly caress its curves, but always remember it’s a work of art!

51*51cm art for sale: [email protected]

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