Lu Chunsheng and Jia Aili: Counterpoints

About

Iniva presents new work by two contemporary Chinese artists at Rivington Place, with the European premiere of a film by Lu Chunsheng and ‘Make Believe…', the first solo exhibition in Europe of work by emerging painter Jia Aili. Both artists explore subjects of industrial progress, social corrosion and humanity's relationship with the machine. Lu Chunsheng mixes documentary and fantasy to theatrical effect in his film, ‘The first man who bought a juicer bought it not for drinking juice'. The film was produced during a residency at San Antonio, Texas, organised by Hans Ulrich Obrist and is showing for the first time in Europe. In the film a mechanic cares for a Frankenstein-like reaper machine; the film is inspired by Orson Welles' fictional account of an alien invasion in 'War of The Worlds'. (Approximately 25 minutes). Jia Aili exhibits large scale paintings which spill out from the canvas into the gallery space. You will also see a special site-specific installation inspired by Caravaggio, painted directly onto Rivington Place's vast window.