A Chinese artist vacuumed up Beijing’s smog for 100 days and made a brick from what he collected

A Chinese artist vacuumed up Beijing’s smog for 100 days and made a brick from what he collected

12/28/2015

link

https://qz.com/562319/a-chinese-artist-vacuumed-up-beijings-smog-for-100-days-and-made-a-brick-from-what-he-collected/

summary

This article showcases the work of Chinese artist Wang Renzheng, who embarked on a unique project to highlight the issue of air pollution in Beijing. Wang used a custom-built vacuum cleaner to collect dust and smog particles from the city's polluted air for a period of 100 days. He then compressed the collected pollutants into a solid brick, creating a tangible representation of the city's pollution. The article explores the artist's motivations behind the project and the broader implications of his work in raising awareness about environmental issues in China. It also discusses the controversial nature of his art, as some critics argue that it may not be effective in driving meaningful change. Overall, the article presents an intriguing perspective on the intersection of art and environmental activism.

tags

chinese art ꞏ environmental art ꞏ air pollution ꞏ smog ꞏ beijing ꞏ pollution ꞏ contemporary art ꞏ environmental activism ꞏ social commentary ꞏ installation art ꞏ chinese culture ꞏ sustainability ꞏ air quality ꞏ visual art ꞏ pollution control ꞏ public art ꞏ environmental awareness ꞏ urbanization ꞏ health effects ꞏ environmental impact ꞏ environmental crisis ꞏ cultural expression ꞏ art and activism ꞏ art installation ꞏ air pollution solutions ꞏ creative expression ꞏ environmental issues ꞏ social change ꞏ pollution art ꞏ urban environment ꞏ environmental preservation ꞏ artistic innovation ꞏ cultural identity ꞏ waste management ꞏ air pollution effects ꞏ environmental pollution ꞏ artistic statement ꞏ social consciousness ꞏ environmental sustainability ꞏ art and environment ꞏ environmental conservation ꞏ cultural heritage ꞏ pollution awareness ꞏ pollution prevention ꞏ art as protest ꞏ environmental justice