Wang Haiyang 王海洋
Blue Dream, Red Midsummer Night 蓝色梦魇与红色仲夏夜, 2023
acrylic on canvas 布面丙烯
80 x 80 cm
31 1/2 x 31 1/2 in
31 1/2 x 31 1/2 in
'Blue Dream, Red Midsummer Night' (2023) by Wang Haiyang depicts a figure from the back, caught in a transformative state, as their human form morphs into something more organic and...
"Blue Dream, Red Midsummer Night" (2023) by Wang Haiyang depicts a figure from the back, caught in a transformative state, as their human form morphs into something more organic and fluid. The figure seems to be in the midst of an emotional or physical transition, where the boundaries of the human body dissolve, suggesting a connection to the natural world or a deeper primal state.
In the foreground, the figure gazes intently through a curtain made of plastic pearls, symbolizing both separation and longing. Beyond this curtain, the viewer’s eye is drawn to a hairy male body, its presence both intimate and distant, adding to the sense of mystery and desire, as the figure’s longing gaze reflects an unattainable or unreachable desire.
This evocative composition invites viewers to explore the tension between the physical self and the natural world, while also touching on themes of voyeurism, intimacy, and the fluidity of identity. The scene, rich with texture and layered meaning, evokes a sense of alienation, desire, and metamorphosis, while remaining deeply introspective.
The title references Shakespeare’s play "A Midsummer Night’s Dream", suggesting themes of fantasy and illusion.
Wang Haiyang (b. 1984 in Shandong, China; currently lives and works between China and Italy) uses his sensitive perception of desire to depict the contradictory relationship between the "inner view" of the body and the "outer view" of the mundane world. His works are imbued with mysterious, futuristic tones, and retain a strong bond with Eastern philosophy. As Wang Haiyang himself said: "My work is a bow that is tightened, not an arrow that is released. What I want to describe is the uncalmable energy inside me, the surging force beneath the calm sea surface". In 2010, Wang Haiyang's first animation movie Freud, Fish and Butterfly won the Grand Prize at the Holland Animation Film Fest (HAFF). In 2012, Wang's film Double Fikret won the Silver Dove at the 55th DOK Leipzig Film Festival (Leipzig, Germany). In 2014, Wang won the Jury Nomination Award at the 3rd Huayu Youth Award in Sanya, China. His recent solo shows include Love Dart at Capsule Venice, Venice, Italy (2024), Wang Haiyang at Capsule Shanghai, Shanghai, China (2018)) and Wang Haiyang at White Space, Beijing, China (2018), By Himself at OCAT in Xi'an, China (2017); New Directions: Wang Haiyang at Ullens Center for Contemporary Art (UCCA) in Beijing, China (2016); Dynamic Field: Wang Haiyang at Minsheng Art Museum in Shanghai, China (2016).
In the foreground, the figure gazes intently through a curtain made of plastic pearls, symbolizing both separation and longing. Beyond this curtain, the viewer’s eye is drawn to a hairy male body, its presence both intimate and distant, adding to the sense of mystery and desire, as the figure’s longing gaze reflects an unattainable or unreachable desire.
This evocative composition invites viewers to explore the tension between the physical self and the natural world, while also touching on themes of voyeurism, intimacy, and the fluidity of identity. The scene, rich with texture and layered meaning, evokes a sense of alienation, desire, and metamorphosis, while remaining deeply introspective.
The title references Shakespeare’s play "A Midsummer Night’s Dream", suggesting themes of fantasy and illusion.
Wang Haiyang (b. 1984 in Shandong, China; currently lives and works between China and Italy) uses his sensitive perception of desire to depict the contradictory relationship between the "inner view" of the body and the "outer view" of the mundane world. His works are imbued with mysterious, futuristic tones, and retain a strong bond with Eastern philosophy. As Wang Haiyang himself said: "My work is a bow that is tightened, not an arrow that is released. What I want to describe is the uncalmable energy inside me, the surging force beneath the calm sea surface". In 2010, Wang Haiyang's first animation movie Freud, Fish and Butterfly won the Grand Prize at the Holland Animation Film Fest (HAFF). In 2012, Wang's film Double Fikret won the Silver Dove at the 55th DOK Leipzig Film Festival (Leipzig, Germany). In 2014, Wang won the Jury Nomination Award at the 3rd Huayu Youth Award in Sanya, China. His recent solo shows include Love Dart at Capsule Venice, Venice, Italy (2024), Wang Haiyang at Capsule Shanghai, Shanghai, China (2018)) and Wang Haiyang at White Space, Beijing, China (2018), By Himself at OCAT in Xi'an, China (2017); New Directions: Wang Haiyang at Ullens Center for Contemporary Art (UCCA) in Beijing, China (2016); Dynamic Field: Wang Haiyang at Minsheng Art Museum in Shanghai, China (2016).
