The Idol Reveal: Transcendence Idols Series
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The Idol Reveal: Transcendence Idols Series (2022-ongoing) are part of the long term project The Idol Reveal (2021-ongoing).
This series of 3D-printed sculptures, digital videos and digital Images explores the interplay between idol worship, symbolism, and contemporary culture. Inspired by the idea of projecting self-reflection through the image of celebrities/pop culture idols. Xi Li seeks to represent the imagination and spirit as images in a primitive state, reminiscent of the way primitive man named incomprehensible traumatic objects with visible anthropomorphic symbols by creating idols and tying them to symbology language for safety.
The artist's construction of personal images inspired by celebrities she admires is not a simulation and packaging of human appearance, but rather the dismantling and imagining of symbols that give rise to an "avatar" with its own unique image and characteristics. The collision of the primitive sacredness of idol worship and the virtual is brought to life through the sculptures, the resulting sculptures embody a reverence for symbols and the primitive order of idol worship, while also possessing a sense of kitsch for the popular.
The focus on the interconnection of the spiritual and the man-made is evident in Xi Li's practice. The works also offer a thought-provoking reflection on contemporary culture and subjectivity in it by exploring the intersection of cynical idol worship and idol culture.
Transcendence Idols I Series
The Idol Reveal: Poem of the Transcendence Idols - Idol I (2021)
在天地间化出来的自然精华，
眼中蕴藏着白昼流星。
那有力的束光正聚拢，照耀着勇猛前往彼方的斗士。
他杀伐决断，
他爱意充盈。
面对着一望无际的巨石山谷与悬崖峭壁，
他在痛感中生出了旺盛的篝火，
照亮了整个万丈深渊。
亲爱的勇士，
你是否与我面对着共同的狂宴？
是否能与我携手，
冲向那无界限的新纪元？
The essence of nature, born between heaven and earth,
Holds within it the daytime shooting stars.
The potent rays converge to illuminate the valiant fighter;
They are decisive in battle,
They are filled with love.
Confronting endless mountain valleys and precipitous cliffs,
In their pain, they gave birth to a vigorous bonfire,
Illuminating the profound abyss for miles around.
Dear warrior,
Do you face the same wild revelry as I?
Can you join hands with me,
And charge into that boundless new era?
- Excerpts from the essay 'The Subject Exploration and Artistic Practice in Idol Worship', 2021-2022, by Xi Li
"Transcendence Idol I Portrait" installation view at the "The Transcendence Labyrinth of Idols" exhibition, Te Tuhi, 2022.
The Idol Reveal : Transcendence Idol I Portrait
2022
449 mm x 399 mm x 726 mm
Polylactic acid, cyanoacrylate adhesive, Nitro-alkyd compound spray, permanent acrylic metallic and opaque paint
"Transcendence Idol I" still frames and video excerpts from digital film and VR scenes The Idol Reveal: From Infatuation to the Mysterious 2022 version, 2022, Xi Li 李曦
Transcendence Idols II Series
The Idol Reveal: Poem of the Transcendence Idols - Idol II (2021)
他是命运般的仲夏之梦，
是飘荡着仙气的迷离之夜。
他坐拥山川河海，
跃过平畴的山林，
游动着寂静海浪，
就这样随着任何容器改变形态，
时而广阔无边，深邃无际；
时而纷飞飘散，摇曳生姿
我站在那静水流深，流觞曲水的湖面之上，
潮湿的香气扑鼻而来，
遥望着另一个梦境与现实神秘交错的故事。
They are like a midsummer dream of fate,
A night draped in ethereal mist.
They possess the mountains, rivers, and seas,
Leaping over undulating forests,
Gliding through tranquil waves.
Adapting to any vessel, they take new forms,
Sometimes boundless and profound;
Sometimes scattered and graceful.
I stand on the tranquil lake's surface, where the waters flow deep,
A moist fragrance wafts through the air,
Gazing at a story where another dream mysteriously intertwines with reality.
- Excerpts from the essay 'The Subject Exploration and Artistic Practice in Idol Worship', 2021-2022, by Xi Li 李曦
"Transcendence Idol II Portrait" installation view at the "The Transcendence Labyrinth of Idols" exhibition, Te Tuhi, 2022.
The Idol Reveal : Transcendence Idol II Portrait
2022
524 mm × 400 mm × 732 mm
Polylactic acid, cyanoacrylate adhesive, Nitro-alkyd compound spray, permanent acrylic metallic and opaque paint
"Transcendence Idol II" still frames and video excerpts from digital film and VR scenes The Idol Reveal: From Infatuation to the Mysterious 2022 version, 2022, Xi Li 李曦
Transcendence Idols III Series
The Idol Reveal: Poem of the Transcendence Idols - Idol III (2021)
他是内部有灵的神圣之大地，
在畛域散发着夺目光彩。
他的身上包含着日月星辰、河流、土地、山川，万物弥合。
在他怀中自在成长，缀着柔软的春光，
存在着柔软蓬松的生命之力与生的永恒。
无论是身处飓风狂浪，
还是仰望耀眼星芒，
我只愿将那浪漫的精神寄托于你，
却发现你早已给予我全部的爱意。
They are an inner, sacred, divine realm,
Radiates a captivating brilliance within its boundaries.
Within their essence resides the sun, moon, stars, rivers, land, and mountains, uniting all creation.
In their embrace, life flourishes freely, adorned with the soft hues of spring's light,
Exists with a tender, ethereal vitality and timeless eternity.
Be it amidst the hurricane's tempest,
Or while looking up at the radiant starlight,
I wish to entrust that romantic spirit to you,
Only to discover you have already bestowed upon me all your love.
- Excerpts from the essay 'The Subject Exploration and Artistic Practice in Idol Worship', 2021-2022, by Xi Li