The cabinet acquired by the Mercedes-Benz Art Collection presents a glimpse of the collected research of a ‘Research Organization’ founded by MadeIn and given the name Physique of Consciuosness Museum, described by the artist himself as »the first museum dedicated to human thinking, acting and body language«. This research endeavor originated with a »cultural fitness exercise« which is the object of the simultaneously acquired video (and poster). This exercise brings together diverse human movements from very different contexts. »The whole series is composed of more than two hundred steps and moves inspired from a hundred ceremonies, worships and traditions accumulated through the history of humanity.« (MadeIn) This glass case shows Apsara (Gesture 10) from exercise 9. In Hindu and Buddhist mythology, the apsaras (also known as ‘heavenly women’ or ‘heavenly dancers’), are female cloud and water spirits. Xu Zhen’s museum, however, is daring in that it questions our accustomed way of seeing things and our (generally rather one-sided) worldview in an up-to-date way, by offering us a wide-ranging panorama of humanity’s spiritual and religious heritage, and by enquiring into »the nature and source of our ideologies« (MadeIn).
Xu Zhen produced by MadeIn Company
Physique of Consciuosness Museum, Apsara (Exercise No.9, Gesture 10), 2013 - 2014
