Shenzhen Mine 1973

Video projection, photographs, sound, found objects, electric fan, press button switch, dimensions variable, 2015


Playing with the pun of the word “mine”, this work explores historical references at both collective and personal levels. Several objects have been displayed, because the year of their production is 1973 when the artist for the first time visited Shenzhen for medical consultation. Images of the artist’s clinical report are enlarged in this work, and the route from the Luohu Border to the People’s Hospital is carved onto the Plexiglas on top of them.

 

Clinical report #1, inkjet print on archival paper

 

Clinical report #2, inkjet print on archival paper

 

Clinical report #3, inkjet print on archival paper

 

Clinical report #4, inkjet print on archival paper

 

Shenzhen map for Plexiglas engraving

 

In addition, there is also a one-cent coin showing the year 1973, with carved words “press the button” and “MINE” around it.

When the viewer presses the button, a photo of miners covering the projector (cover photo of the September 1973 issue of China Pictorial) will be lifted by a electric fan, and a video of the sky along the way from the Luohu Border to People’s Hospital will be projected onto a wall. When the fan stops, the photo of the miner falls and covers the projector again; only few light shafts shine through from the light on the miner’s head.

 

When the button is not pressed.

 

When the button is not pressed.

 

When the button is pressed down, the fan starts to turn and blows up the magazine cover.

 

Music will be played simultaneously with the fan on.