The Second Micro-Curatorial Project Finalist Proposals Announced

We are pleased to announce the finalists of the Frank F. Yang Art and Education Foundation “The Second Micro-Curatorial Project”. The four finalists, which are shortlisted from 39 participants, include (listed in alphabetical order) Karma Ltd. Extended (Curatorial Collaboration; Germany ), Wang Ziyun (Independent Curator and Researcher; China), Zhang Yingying (Independent Curator, Writer, Art Observer, Chief Editor; China) and Zoe De Luca (Curator, Editor; Italy). Wang Ziyun, with his proposal “Light, Heat, Power!” receiving the highest number of votes, becomes the winner of the biennale event.

Chaired by Karen Smith (Art Critic and Curator), the panel jury, consisted of Bao Dong (Art Critic and Curator), Ying Kwok (Independent Curator), Liu Wei (Artist) and Frank F. Yang (Founder of the foundation and Collector) had a heated in-depth discussion evaluating the overall quality and feasibility of the thirteen shortlisted proposals. Karma Ltd. Extended’s proposal “Imagination” aims to delve into the work of selected artists who through the media of film, sculpture, sound, text and performance, mould new imaginations and invite viewers minds to travel to unseen destinations. Based on classic texts, Wang Ziyun’s “Light, Heat, Power!” is trying to build the relationship between art and multi-layered reality around the theme. Through the exploration of the visual qualities of the internet, Zhang Yingying’s “Stepping – A Rational Touch on the Texture of the Times” tries to bridge the new vision and new classics of contemporary art. Zoe De Luca’s proposal “Sneeze with open eyes” provides the viewers a different perspective to analyze and sense the contemporary concept of image. The four applicants gained recognition from the judging panel for their excellent curatorial ideas.

Based on the location and historical context of SPARE Space, Wang Ziyun’s winning proposal tries to establish the interaction between the memory and the present, as well as to find a more open discourse beyond the white cube. Wang Ziyun is an independent curator and researcher based in Chongqing and Beijing. He uses curation as a discursive practice to trigger new dialogues in the interaction between the exhibition and the space. In recent years, his focus is on the experiments of emerging artists, the edge and vitality of alternative space, and the overlapping moments of art production and social time.

Developed from the individuals’ advantageous researches on different subjects and area of contemporary art, the proposals received this year are of high quality. Karen Smith emphasized that the exceptionality of the “Micro-Curatorial” Project: “Distinguished from museums of largerscale, SPARE space has its unique character, attracting attentions of many artists and curators, as well as professionals from other areas of the cultural fields.” At the same time, Frank F. Yang, the founder of the foundation, feels great about the result: “This year the Micro-Curatorial Project brings together outstanding proposals from home and abroad. The winner Wang Ziyun happens to be the participating member of the first Micro-Curatorial workshop. We are very happy to see his curatorial achievements. We are pleased to support art professionals’ career progress through this project.”

Frank F. Yang Art and Education Foundation will work with the winner Wang Ziyun executing the proposal at SPARE Space. Other public events will be organized with the four finalists.

About Frank F. Yang Art and Education Foundation

Frank F. Yang Art and Education Foundation is established and registered in Hong Kong by Mr. Frank F. Yang in 2015. As a non-profit art organization, the Frank F. Yang Art and Education Foundation is devoted to providing a diverse cultural platform for artists, curators, art critics and aficionados around the world, whereby to stimulate dialogues and thoughts that inspire the practices in contemporary art. The foundation is actively engaged in promoting research, exchange and collection of contemporary art, and it supports and funds exhibitions, activities and publications for other non-profit art organizations. With a profound understanding on the synergy between life and art, the foundation’s exhibition spaces challenge the notion of the white cube by blurring the boundary between the private and the public, and provide alternatives to support ways of exploring and practicing art. It currently runs three art spaces, You Space and Extra Space in Shenzhen, and Spare Space in Shanghai.

About SPARE Space

Spare Space is the third non-profit art space established under the Frank F. Yang Art and Education Foundation, located in Shanghai’s historic (former) French Concession. Once a residential townhouse, its recent renovation tailors to meet its multi-functional demand for art exhibition, financial office and residency. Unlike the conventional “white cube” art space, Spare Space preserves the aesthetic taste of its own history and its past owners, while its current minimalist interior design allows for maximum flexibility and art experimentation. The main floor and the garden area of this three-level building are primarily used for supporting art projects, while the second and third floors are office areas.

For more information, please visit www.fyfoundation.com
or contact info@foundation.com