2020 Changwon
Sculpture
Biennale

Almost Zen

Here we have three stones. ZHENG created stones out of stainless steel, an artificial material, to pay homage to nature. This work is placed next to the natural stones found in the corner of the park against a backdrop of trees and benches, where nature meets man-made. The sculptures are fake stones made of metal, but they bask in the reflected glory of the real stones next to them, in the name of art. They appear humble, yet in harmony with the surroundings. The artist borrows an aphorism from the Suyuan Stone Catalogue compiled by a Ming Dynasty scholar named Lin Youlin: “Stones have the highest degree of affinity with Zen” to bring stones to a level of Zen. In a way, ZHENG’s work reflects an Eastern animistic belief that inanimate objects, too, possess a spirit. Inspired by a poetic imagination, these sculptures well represent the theme of non-sculpture.