LIU BOLIN the “Invisible Man”
I just so happened to come across a friend’s blog that featured an artist who takes a ‘chameleonesque’ twist on urban photography. His name is Liu Bolin and he can work on a single photograph for up to 10 hours, perfecting his concealing coloration, using his body as a canvas to disguise himself into the background.
His ability to blend into things such as the Chinese flag, walls with graffiti, dilapidated buildings, old fences and even Tienanmen Square provokes one to think twice about everyday surroundings. He delivers a message from an objective standpoint, directing focus to the problems of ordinary existence, by revealing truth sans embellishment.
Examples of work shown below:
Bolin said his inspiration came from feeling like a social outcast. “Some people call me the invisible man, but for me it’s what is not seen in a picture which is really what tells the story… I experienced the dark side of society, without social relations, and had a feeling that no one cared about me, I felt myself unnecessary in this world.” [via]
I think his story is what really makes his art distinctive. His exposure to the “dark side of society” and experiences of social neglect is something many of us identify with. What I found most intriguing was that Liu Bolin’s work actually started as a protest against the government, who shut down his art studio in 2005. It’s encouraging to see once again how innovative creativity can emerge through a positive act of retaliation.
- Viv
