Yue MINJUN - The Tao Laughter No. 4, 2012

Yue MINJUN

Born in 1962 in Daqing, China. Lives and works in Beijing, China

Noticed in 1999 during his participation in the Venice Biennale, Yue Minjun has since established himself as the most influential Chinese painter of his generation. An immutable model in all his paintings, Yue Minjun has adopted laughter as the central theme of his work. His faces with their frank and massive laughter show a mouth disproportionately opened by a laugh creating a striking image. This process is used to leave an indelible mark on the viewer and make him or her reflect on what he or she is observing. The zygomatics are so open that the eyes are closed like shutters. These faces do not look because they have nothing to look at, they have no interest in what may happen.

The work for Paris La Defense

In Paris La Défense, the artist installs the sculpture The Tao Laughter n°4 (2012). The title of the work is a reference to Tao Tô King, the founding work of Taoism attributed to Lao Tseu (600 BC), in which it is suggested that laughter makes it possible to solve society's problems without pain or sorrow in order to achieve inner peace.

Referring to both Chinese and Western cultures, these masterful sculptures challenge and question our relationship to society.

THE TAO LAUGHTER NO. 4, 2012
Stainless steel
Unique piece
Courtesy Templon, Paris - Brussels