“looking looking for my friend , now I find a good friend, give a greeting, and shake hands, you are my good friend!”

"Finding Friends" is an art project that breaks away from conventional model of art exhibitions where artists are recommended by a board of experts and judges. It works in a P2P model, in which participating artists are obliged to nominate another artist and pass the obligation on. Every nominee would switch role and become a nominator. The exhibition is like a passing game that allows the artists to define their own community. Moreover, art media are also invited to participate in the game. The participating art media would not only nominate an outstanding artist, but also invite another art media to this game. Then the recommended media would nominate another artist, and the game goes on, making up the third line of recommendation in the exhibition. In this project, the museum and curators become observers, to see whether they recommend truly good artists, or simply take the chance to mend their own networks. Therefore, the project is an opportunity to explore the boundary of the so-called “art community”.

Today Art Museum intends to take the advantage of art museum’s resources to create a new model, since there is a “jam” of art projects for young artists. "Finding Friends" aims to break up the routine system and the so called "circle" to extend the depth and richness of the exhibition. On one hand, it supports and cultivates young talented artists, at the same time, strives for more potential space for art and art exhibitions.

Alex Gao

Joy of Losing Control and Happiness of Unexpected Encounters

The project “Finding Friends” starts with seeking for friends. At the beginning, the young director Ales Gao approached me and asked whether we could initiate on an exhibition that could be slightly different from others, something unique for youths. At that moment, I was busy launching the second phase of “China Sculpture Academy Salon’s Youth” program, at the same time preparing for a training program for curators. So my mind was fully loaded and was in need of sorting out. When I was reviewing contemporary art exhibitions made up of empty concepts, one may more than often find a “jam” of projects devoted to young artists. Frankly speaking, I regretfully find out that certain curators are too powerful and fortune-driven, way beyond extremity. They put up all kinds of banners and brag about empty concepts. Eventually, artists end up being rebooted and morphed by the banner and later become creatures of the red flag. There are young super stars leading an extremely busy life. They are often over consumed, who are soon worn out before maturity. There are still other artists who are constantly kept out of the picture, who create great art pieces but received no deserved attention. That’s why I love the artists who live on the edge of the hotspot, especially those who are down to the earth and create impressive sculpture works. 

How to create an exhibition that is unique and playful? Alex and I had a brainstorm during a meeting break. We were trying to follow the law of nature by initiating a project that would grow itself like grass along the street shoulder. No one takes control and there is no need to build up theories. Instead, the exhibition shall bring a joy of losing control and the happiness of unexpected encounters. Therefore, the lyrics “looking looking for my friend , now I find a good friend” came to me: to discover new artists through an artist’s perspective. Afterwards, Alex and I teamed up with Artron.net, and together we started the program. All we need to do is to provide the name of the first artist in that project. Then, he/she would find the next. Honestly, I was not upset about the project, as we were actually betting on how sharp the artists are and their artistic senses. In addition, media also have roles to play. How about the result? I make no comment, for you could soon take a look yourself. This project brings unfamiliar to me: I do not know them personally and they are fresh!

According to a small world theory, the world is so small that you could actually talk to US President through a 6-person relay connection. In the “Finding Friends” project, each line ties up 10 young artists, making up a 30-person circle in the end. I suppose that there could be at least 5 potential stars hidden among them

Who are they, though? Are you one of them?

Wu Hongliang