Once upon a time he was Spanish
artist Albert Porta, then he became Zush the psychomanual digital creator, then
he became and is today Evru the artist scientist mystic. First, go see his
exhibition, then go figure, writes Wang Jie.
"From Zush to Evru" is a tantalizing exhibition by pioneering Spanish artist
Albert Porta, who has adopted the identities of Zush (1968-2000) and Evru, from
2000 through today. The renowned artist, sometimes called Zush Evru, has
explored the frontiers of identity and applied new technologies in artistic
creation.
Some of his works, on display at Shanghai Duolun Museum of Modern Art, use
paper, canvas and wood, others are computer-created works, large-format digital
photographs and software programs.
Zush is described as a "psychomanual digital artist" and Evru as an "artist
scientist mystic."
The exhibition has two sections: one contains some of Zush Evru's most
emblematic pieces, such as "Gran Leda." Large-format digital photographs, such
as "Eria" and "Verudo," are shown for the first time.
In an interactive section, viewers can participate in the so-called "office
of flows of the Evurgo Mental State" - an institution created specifically for
this project, sometimes with cyborg aesthetics.
Evurgo is Zush Evru's state of mind. He has created a state with post-human
inhabitants, a currency, an anthem, flag, a language and alphabet, and laws.
The figures of his women, mothers, wives, lovers and companions are analyzed
with a dedication like that of the taxidermist, dissected in a vain attempt to
comprehend the female nature.
The artist has also updated the Sphinmu and Tecura software programs for this
exhibit, with an element of playfulness. Starting from the notion that there is
an artist and a scientist in all of us, Zush Evru invites viewers to experiment
with Tecura and Sphinmu. The viewers can use the images he has designed to
create original works of art.
Tecura is a digital painting machine that invites viewers to create their own
work of art based on the tools and images suggested by the artist.
A hall of bells brings the tour of the exhibition to a close.
Zush Evru has participated in prestigious international exhibitions such as
the Kassel Documenta in Germany. His work has been displayed in the Georges
Pompidou center in Paris and in the Guggenheim in New York.
Date: through February 28 (closed on Mondays), 10am-5pm
Address: 27 Duolun
Rd
Admission: 10 yuan (5 yuan for students, free for children under 1.1
meters)
Tel: 021-6587-2530
