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

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