Zhi Sui Jin Mi, (or Shredded Magazine and Myth) is a word coined by me for Yang Qian’s lastest artwork. This term borrows from a Chinese idiom, Zhi Zui Jin Mi, which was coined by Qing Yi Book, a classic written by Tao Hui, a writer in the Song Dynasty. Originally, Zhi Zhui Jin Mi refers to the sparkling rays of sun is dazzling no more than a piece of golden paper, while it later was used to describe the luxuriant living of royal family. Chinese history witnesses so many examples. In the royal family of Zhao, Zhao Jie of the North Song Dynasty and Zhao Gou of the South Song Dynasty were criticized two typical emperors. They were indulged in the luxurious life and sensual pleasures, which become one of the major causes of their kingdoms defeated by the neighbor kingdoms. Particularly, after the Zhao family were ousted to the south of River Huang, the successive emperor Zhao Guo still live the same life as his brother Zhao Jie who was captured and detained by the enemy. Zhao Guo seemed to have no plan to restore his power in the northern territory by fighting back against the north kingdom. The emperor enjoyed himself in an illusive peace. Though it is a shameful period, the culture of the Song Dynasty didn't completely fail to create its miracle. Suzhou classical garden is one of wonderful architectures in the Song Dynasty, reflecting the loyal family's living concept rooted so deeply in the movement from the North to the south. After all, the evolution of history has its own dialectics.

　　Yang's solo exhibition is held in Sushou Art Museum which is located in one of the oldest classic gardens in Suzhou. I think this exhibition symbolizes the heritage of local cultural legacy. It is one of the reasons why I entitle this article with Zhi Sui Jin Mi (Shredded Magazine & Myth). A further reason is the significance of Yang's artworks, namely the materials of shredded magazine and the social problem indicated by the materials used for the artworks . In fact, Yang's artworks describes a consumer society, where people have been alienated in the daily life. Mass media do not help reveal the truth of the materialized living style but turn to be a part of this by advocating the consumerism. The media produce more and more commercials and dissemble consumption message. All these boasted life styles are far beyond control. Yang feels so shamed of such over-materialized world. He makes use of newspaper and magazine as raw material and cut them into pieces, showing how crazy the contemporary society could be. In this art form, the artist convert these fragmented papers into the art work for new images and expresses a hope for a nirvana in the cultural evolution.

　　In the contemporary art industry, Yang Qian is a important figure. Being university mate of Luo Zhongli and Zhang Xiaogang, he starts his artistic career in early 1980s and earned fame soon. But he chose to study abroad with his artistic dream. In 1985, he started his study in the University of Florida for master degree. He missed an important period of the history of Chinese art when new wave of art initially started up. It might be a good opportunity for Yang to advance his artistic reputation if he had stayed in China at that time. The fact is that the study in the US endowed Yang with more force for a higher level. In fact, he has become one of the most active artists in the contemporary Chinese art. He not just owns a unique perspective insight to the society but rather constantly enhances his capability of creating new language of art. He is outstanding against his peer artists and even the younger generation. I believe that his study in the US is the key to his artistic quality and achievement. His unique personality and perspective will lead him to further more successes in contemporary art industry.

　　Yang's unique perspective has already presented in his early artworks. Different from some artists who are stick to a certain art form, Yang has got used to various artistic styles in his artworks. He doesn’t really have any so-called personal style but constantly seeks for changes. After he enjoyed himself in many painting styles and artistic installment, Yang find shredded magazine as one of his new experiments,. It is a new artistic language to him. The timeliness of the artwork goes with newspapers and magazines used. While all mass media turn out to be a tool of art and carry out the specific journalist coverage inside, the cultural signification underlying the artist's concept will fall down to the realistic context in response to the on-going age. This is why Yang's artworks are so impressive. All of the realistic contexts is not represented by a 2 dimension painting but generated by the deconstruction of language, and also being revealed by the substantial materials used. This is also a vital sample of Yang's broader artistic vision, since such advance from one-dimension to multiple ones needs a better capability of recognition and broader vision. Anyway, I have little concern with it other than the overall process that all paper shreds from newspaper and magazines are re-organized. I believe that such conversion will implant the ironic meaning implicated by the media to the artworks. While shredded magazine are added to be shredded maze, Yang transforms all the artworks undertaking his critical thought on the materialized society. Further, the landscape, such as mountains and brooks, at the last phase of the production of his artworks surprisingly unveil an abstract succession and innovative shift of the past culture which remains deeply within the hard core of materialism.

作者：Yang,Wei,–,the,curator