With the facilitation of the Taiwan Cultural Center in Paris, Taiwanese contemporary artist Tu Wei-Cheng (涂維政) will be launching his solo exhibition "The Future of Now: Bu Num Civilization in the Rijksmuseum (現在的未來：國家博物館的卜湳文明)" at the Museum of Asian Arts in Nice, France from Apr. 27 to July 3. The exhibition was previously held at Rijksmuseum, the national museum of the Netherlands which is located in Amsterdam.
Taking inspiration from the Internet era and the virtual world of technology, Tu has been engaged in creating a series of artworks since 2000, in which he invents an imaginary virtual civilization: Bu Num, using materials such as plaster, cement and clay. He decodes contemporary history and social phenomena in the same way that modern historians interpret the past, attempting to criticize the phenomenon of special exhibitions of ancient civilizations that were once prevalent in Taiwan, challenging the audience's critical thinking about the exhibition and display strategies within the museum system.
A total of four artworks by Tu will be exhibited along with permanent displays from the Museum of Asian Arts collection. The most striking and spectacular sculpture, "Vessel of Fleeing Souls (魂遁之舟)," will be placed in the most eye-catching spot of the exhibition hall. In addition, the Museum of Asian Arts will utilize projectors to present the scene of Tu's virtual "Bu Num Civilization Site," allowing visitors to have a deeper understanding of his works and creative ideas.
Founded in 1998, the Museum of Asian Arts mainly collects Asian traditional art as well as some contemporary creations. Through this exhibition, the local visitors will be able to appreciate Tu's works in person, sparking interesting cultural exchanges and interactions between Taiwan and France.
(Photo courtesy of Tu Wei-cheng)