Taiwanese video artist Zhang Xu-zhan (張徐展), who was awarded the Deutsche Bank Artists of the Year 2020, will showcase his new work of the "Animal Story Series" in Berlin until Mar. 14.
His latest video work titled "A Flowing Piece of Shard," consists of five paper mache animal musicians and an over 1.5-meter-high paper figure in a crocodile suit standing in the center. The work is presented in a dark room, where the texture of the paste paper on the walls of the room can be seen through the limelight as well as the light of the video screen. The paper mache dolls, dressed in delicate metal ornaments, are placed on the speakers around the darkroom through where the reflection of light shine, conveying a mysterious sense of ritual in a world that is fairytale-like.
In addition to presenting his artwork, Zhang will join the workshop forum to share his creative journey of animation. The Cultural Division of the Taipei Representative Office in Germany expects the exhibition to introduce the culture and aesthetic of Taiwanese paper mache to more people.
Born in a family that owns the Taipei-based Hsin-Hsing Paper Sculpture Store and has been making traditional paper figurines for over a century, Zhang specializes in creating contemporary art spanning animation, installation, video, and paper sculpture, as well as stop-motion films. Zhang’s artworks were often featured at international venues in recent years.
He is the first Taiwanese artist awarded the Deutsche Bank Artists of the Year 2020. For the first time, Deutsche Bank has selected three emerging artists simultaneously as Artists of the Year for 2020. The other two artists awarded the honor are Maxwell Alexandre from Brazil and Conny Maier from Germany.