Lee Mingwei: 禮 Li, Gifts and Rituals
27 March to 12 July 2020
Lee Mingwei’s artistic practice is primarily concerned with rituals of giving and receiving. Until 12 July, the Gropius Bau will present a solo exhibition by the artist, showing his installations and performances from the last three decades. Central to the exhibition is an exploration of art’s potential to be a transformative gift.
Lee Mingwei, Guernica in Sand, 2006–present. Mixed media interactive installation, Sand, wooden island, lighting, 1300 x 643 cm
Installation view Lee Mingwei and His Relations, Taipei Fine Arts Museum, 2015
Courtesy: Taipei Fine Arts Museum
In Lee Mingwei’s works immaterial gifts such as song, conversation or contemplation are given and received. For many of his projects the starting point are his personal encounters, which are then transformed into installations. Seeing such experiences as moments in which time is gifted, Lee's projects reveal a fascination for the role of the host. Accordingly, in autumn 2019, the artist put out open calls looking for Berlin-based hosts to activate several of his projects. In The Living Room hosts are invited to exhibit their unique collections and in The Mending Project the menders host conversations with visitors whilst repairing their damaged items of clothing. These processes create a common space where viewers are given the opportunity to enter into exchange, and rituals of care and healing begin to unfold.
During your exhibition visit, you can bring clothing in need of attention to the Gropius Bau. As part of The Mending Project, chosen menders will sew these articles. The clothes are then attached by threads to spools on the wall, forming an ever-growing installation. After the exhibition the repaired items can be collected by their owners (between 13–17 & 20–24 July 2020, 10:00–18:00).
Curated by Stephanie Rosenthal with Clare Molloy
Catalogue
Through in-depth essays and a conversation with the artist, the exhibition catalogue 禮 Li, Gifts and Rituals sheds light on the central topics of Lee Mingwei’s work. More than 80 colour illustrations provide insights into the exhibition. With contributions from von Irina Aristarkhova, Harvey Molotch, Clare Molloy, Stephanie Rosenthal and an Interview with Lee Mingwei. To the webshop
