A conversation with aged bricks

A visitor at the exhibition hall. [Photo by Lin Qi/China Daily]

Ying initiated an art program last year: he invited people living in Wuhu to pick bricks at the remains of ancient architectures in Wuhu's historic center. They wrote down their names and the dates on the bricks. They talked about their feelings of the project to a camera installed inside a telephone booth - the booth is also displayed at the exhibition so that the audience in Beijing can hear the messages left by pickers in Wuhu.

"I can't say this is a happy exhibition. The general tone is grave, tragic and deeply sad," Ying says.

"The works manifest the problems we've encountered during rapid social development. And I seek solutions by relocating the brick relics of Wuhu's historic center to this venue - it may be more shocking than making clear my attitude or drawing an conclusion. I want the viewers to be involved, to critique and to reflect."

Also on display are the Encounter Mondrain and Brick Fabrication series, in which Ying conveys the sensitiveness of an artist to the passing of time.

The exhibition runs until June 29.