Art of Perception: Interview with Guo Hongwei by Katherine Don

Guo Hongwei (b.1 982, Chongqing) likes music, ink painting, poetry and listens to
U2, Radiohead and the Velvet Underground. He is a y oung artist in liv ing in Beijing
starting to create a narrativ e of his life that is realized in his often clever and humorous paintings and sculptures.

Who are your biggest influences?
 

My first thought is of Tom Friedman and Erwin Wurm. Friedman allowed me to
understand the world in way s that I found more interesting and important than
expected. Seeing his work changed my way of v iewing ev ery day objects (and makes y ou feel smarter!) A particular kind of approach towards, observ ation of, and understanding things combined with a new perspectiv e leads to a new and interesting way of producing. And from this I started looking for a new focus on the outside world. I first saw the work by Erwin Wurm on the cov er of an Art in America magazine. Wurm is also a big influence because he allowed me to understand what is full of wisdom and humor. His works are so funny . This kind of wisdom can influence y our perception antennas to extend into particular details of ev ery day life and things. Some would suggest that this ability to perceiv e the richness of reality is the kind of perception that I am looking for.

What’s the most important thing in your studio? / What are your key ingredients for
creativity?

My work?!!! Haha. perhaps it is just the general atmosphere of my studio itself filled with random things and piled books that I find my self immersed in another world, which all help me think about my work and ponder other important things. When
creating work, a key ingredient is that I try to focus on emphasizing the ability to
experience and perceive.

When did you start playing music? How does that interact with your art practice?

I LOVE music, but I am just a music fan. Music has the potential to influence, but for now, it is just one thing that enriches my understanding of the outside world.

What is the top played song on your iPod?

Million Dollar Hotel soundtrack (2000) by U2. I also really like Elvis Presley and the
Velvet Underground and Radiohead too.

What do you feel is the biggest difference between art ists of your generat ion
and the ones before?
This is a sensitiv e and fundamental question. It is really determined by an artist’s
indiv idual way s and means of resolv ing this issue, not from the outside world. (i.e. social and cultural factors).

What are you working on now?

My solo exhibition in New York. They are all v ery simple things that are funny or just aesthetically pleasing objects that allow me to discov er the texture and details found on the surface. I want to call attention to the existence of the ability to perceive, to experience things, that way ev ery one can gradually possess this capacity in
order to discov er the depth of their own reality—just like the simple happiness I have found in my life.

What would the title of your autobiography be?

“The Ability to Perceiv e.” For me, art is something you experience. If y ou do not have the ability to perceiv e, y ou can’t understand what an artist is try ing to do. The art work itself is not important, it is about hav ing this ability that y ou can begin to touch and influence others.