Exhibition Introduction
Material Copper Cable
Size H176*W126*D96 (cm)
Weight 800(kg)
Edition 6
Base W108 D89 (cm)
In Chinese culture, “Ru-yi”is a symbol of auspiciousness and blessing, and often included in greetings and wishes. It is a state of a blessed mind and well-being – the ultimate state of living in the Chinese cultural context. Often depicted as a “S” shaped stick with one or two ends attached to a cloud or mushroom shape, the “Ru-yi” stick is a well known object that symbolizes longevity and auspiciousness throughout Chinese art history.
By utilizing copper wires of telephone cables, Kang’s Ru-yi Life symbolizes both technological change and happiness in both present and future. Nowadays, with fiber optics, satellite, broadband internet along with other new communication technologies, cable phones are increasingly becoming obsolete. Kang Muxiang’s work is a commentary on this unstoppable trend. Kang’s copper wires are made to be the carriers of human voice. The voices are interconnected, coiled together to create a beautiful and harmonious whole. The shape of this work is also inspired by the shape of traditional Chinese “Ru-yi” sticks. It indicates that when communication is smooth, people’s state of mind is smooth, harmonious and beautiful.
