Book from the Ground Pop-up Book is based on Xu Bing’s Book from the Ground: From Point-to-Point, which includes all the classic expression techniques of three-dimensional books, such as turn, rotate, pull rod, shaft rod, etc. The clever combination of emojis and three-dimensional structure, without using a single traditional word, reflects a vibrant interactivity, making this universally readable book all the more fascinating and engaging.

Book from the Ground Pop-up Book - Day (2014)

Dimensions: 17.9 x 26.2 x 4.1 cm

Book from the Ground Pop-up Book - Night (2014)

Dimensions: 17.9 x 26.2 x 4.1 cm

Material: 128g, 230g specialty paper with non-acid latex

The Forest Project is an experiment of creating a self-sustaining system that will move funds from wealthy areas to impoverished areas for planting trees. Its feasibility is based on the following principles: firstly, leveraging free online services such as auction and sales hosting, money transfers, and even online teaching to minimize costs; secondly, ensuring benefits for all participants in the project; thirdly, leveraging regional economic discrepancies (for example, the cost of a subway ride in New York, which is $2.50, can plant ten trees in Kenya). 

2014

Materials: Natural debris attached to frosted glass panel, 100 x 345 cm

Location: Changshu Arts Gallery, Suzhou, China

"In 2004, I was installing an exhibition at the East Asian Art Museum in Germany. During the Second World War, 90 percent of the collection was moved to the former Soviet Union by the Soviet Red Army. Only some photos of the lost artwork are left. I hope to use the large glass showcases surrounding the existing space to create a new work that combines local history and my cultural background. I saw the potted plants behind the frosted glass wall in the office area of the airport during a connecting flight, which looked like a smudged Chinese painting. At this time, I thought of the large glass cabinets of the museum and the missing art pieces and got the inspiration for Background Story."

- Xu Bing

2014

Materials: Natural debris attached to frosted glass panel, 520 x 960 cm

Location: Xu Bing: A Retrospective, Taiwan, Taipei Fine Arts Museum

"In 2004, I was installing an exhibition at the East Asian Art Museum in Germany. During the Second World War, 90 percent of the collection was moved to the former Soviet Union by the Soviet Red Army. Only some photos of the lost artwork are left. I hope to use the large glass showcases surrounding the existing space to create a new work that combines local history and my cultural background. I saw the potted plants behind the frosted glass wall in the office area of the airport during a connecting flight, which looked like a smudged Chinese painting. At this time, I thought of the large glass cabinets of the museum and the missing art pieces and got the inspiration for Background Story."

- Xu Bing

2014

Medium: Mixed media installation

Location:  Taiwan