amycvdh reblogged
XÚ BĪNG 徐冰 / SILKWORM BOOK / 1995 [book encased in silkworm cocoon | 24 x 24 x 3.9″]
amycvdh reblogged
Xu Bing
Book from the Sky, 1987-1991 (google translate, edited:) The book was printed using movable type printing with "false words". These false words were made using parts of standard Chinese characters but combined without any real meaning. These books were made using rigorously accurate binding, typesetting and printing practices but they do not transmit actual messages or functional knowledge. Generally books (compared to paper) are respected in China so this combination is unexpected and subversive. The text presents a scholarly atmosphere, but has absolutely no meaning.
amycvdh reblogged
Xu Bing, Background Story 3
I love Xu Bing’s work
American Silkworm Series Part I: Silkworm Book 在美国养蚕系列一: 蚕书 1994 by Xu Bing The silkworm eggs (which at first looked like braille), hatched and the worms crawled across the books (looking like moving typography). The silkworms were taken away, fed (they can only eat mulberry leaves) and then placed back on books, a computer, and lead printing letters which they cocooned in silk.
Xu Bing, square word calligraphy A truly amazing artist I worked with in my last job.