'Homeostatic Isles' revitalizing the Granary with fresh design voices

The 4th "CAA Armory Wuzhen" Granary Art Exhibition opened in Wuzhen, an ancient watertown in Zhejiang Province.

Themed under "Homeostatic Isles," the exhibition marks the fourth collaboration between Culture Wuzhen and the School of Sculpture and Public Art of the China Academy of Art.

The exhibition showcases 64 works by 51 artists at a unique venue – the granary.

Originally a grain depot from the 1960s, it was converted into a modern exhibition space covering nearly 10,000 square meters in 2017, exuding a distinctive energy that welcomes contemporary ideas and an experimental spirit.

"Homeostasis" refers to a biological system that maintains stability in changing environments through continuous self-regulation to enhance survival chances. In light of the rapid technological changes affecting human values, the exhibition employs the metaphor of an "isle" to express the reflections of young artists navigating this transformation.

Through their creations, individual expressions seem to converge into an interconnected, symbiotic artistic ecosystem.

For instance, "Echo of the Oracle," by Wu Zhaowei, utilizes the petrifying power of the "evil eye" from the Greek myth of Medusa as a metaphor, revealing how contemporary big data algorithms distort human cognitive processes. An overwhelming flood of information ensnares viewers in passive consumption before electronic screens.

The main structure features a prismatic form, mimicking the texture and morphology of petrified serpent scales. Spiraling serpentine elements represent the invisible forces of surveillance, while their silent, watchful posture alludes to the pervasive digital monitoring and cognitive control characteristic of the information age.

Exhibition info

Date: Through October 26, 1pm-8pm, (closed on Mondays)

Venue: Wuzhen Granary

乌镇粮仓

Address: 29 Huanhe Rd E., Wuzhen, Zhejiang Province

浙江省乌镇环河东路29号

How to get there

By train: Take a high-speed train from Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station or Shanghai South Railway Station to Jiaxing or Tongxiang City, then take a bus or taxi to Wuzhen. The whole journey takes around 1-2 hours.

By bus: Take a long-distance bus from Shanghai East Bus Station to Wuzhen.

By car: Wuzhen is roughly 120 kilometers from Shanghai and takes approximately two hours to reach.