DESCRIPTION
Based in Chengdu, China, the artist duo Liu Ke and Huang Huang who now live and work together met 15 years ago and felt that they were the mirror of each other. In 2017, they began taking a photo of each other every day in 2017 for two years, which allows them to observe and interact with each other, exploring a new photographic relationship and creating a visual dialogue between two people. This publication presents a selection of 164 pairs among the 730 pairs of images they have taken between 2017 to 2018.
"Mirror, the farther you are away,
The longer the distance between you and yourself.
Only if you walk towards it, get closer, much closer,
Step into it, and become the mirror…
Fifteen years ago, we met and said that we were the mirror of each other. Since then this mirror has lain in our hearts. As time goes by, it might develop a few imperfections, and shine less brightly than before. But when we get close again, the glimmer remains eternal…
In 2017 we began taking a photo of each other every day, just like seeing ourselves naked in the mirror day after day. The danger of exposure led to the power of mysterious attraction. In front of the mirror we cried, we laughed, we roared, we meditated; unleashing all our enthusiasm and turning it into ashes. We grew as much as we could and lived each and every day fully and brilliantly, as if it was the last day we had. We were still pure, simple, and dangerous. Two years, 730 days, 1460 irrelevant photos, which will remain in our lives forever. The shimmering light of the mirror has always existed, and the “mirror” allows us to place ourselves in the present but see the future in the past.
This may be just a dream from which we do not want to wake up. It is an adventure of two children. We mutter, maybe not so clearly. Maybe the tone is odd, but we are addicted to it, obsessed with the adventure and its unique beauty. We enjoy indulging in it.
The unknown journey has just begun..."
— Liu Ke & Huang Huang
AWARD
Japan Book Design Award 2023
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Liu Ke and Huang Huang is an artist duo who lives and works in Chengdu, China. Through the observation and experience of their daily life, their works are mainly presented in images, installations, performances and other media. Their purpose is to explore more possibilities in relationships and to create more open interactions by breaking personal boundaries. They wish to lead the audience to a dramatic and dreamlike journey by the energy they create in the exhibition spaces. Liu Ke and Huang Huang have exhibited extensively in China and overseas, including Three Shadows Photography Art Center, Chengdu Contemporary Image Museum, Normandie Impressionist Festival, France, Echigo-Tsumari Triennial, Japan, Zen Foto Gallery, Tokyo, CAFA Art Museum, Beijing, Lianzhou Foto Festival, etc. Their publications include “Still Lake” (Zen Foto Gallery, 2010; Three Shadows Photography Art Centre, 2019) and “To Nietzsche” (Zen Foto Gallery, 2020). Liu Ke was nominated for the Foam Paul Huf Award with his work “Still Lake” in 2010 and the duo received the Three Shadows Photography Award with their work “Mirror” in 2019. Their solo exhibition “The Other Side of Time” at Three Shadows Photography Art Center will begin in June 2022.
Publisher: Zen Foto Gallery
Book Size: 182 × 182 × 17 mm
Poster Size: 825 × 660 mm
224 pages, 164 pairs of images
Softcover (codex binding) with poster that includes all 730 pairs of images
*All edges of the book are gilt with silver foil
Publication Year 2022
Limited Edition 700
Languages: English, Japanese, Chinese
ISBN 978-4-910244-13-6
This item is sold by Zen Foto Gallery
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