Photo of collection object Celestial Chaos No. 3
Tai Xiangzhou. Celestial Chaos No. 3, 2014. Ink on silk, mounted flat, image: 38 3/4 × 77 3/16 in. (98.4 × 196.1 cm) mount: 46 13/16 × 86 5/8 in. (118.9 × 220 cm). Gift of Kathleen Yang in memory of Denis C. Yang, 2018.26. © artist or artist's estate.

Celestial Chaos No. 3

2014

Tai Xiangzhou

Chinese, born 1968

Asian Art

Celestial Chaos embodies the basic ideas of Chinese cosmology, in which the ever-moving cyclical universe continues to change according to a consistent pattern that is discernible by human beings. People can understand the patterns of the universe as a whole by focusing on the changes taking place within its parts: observing the celestial realms and the seasons, practicing dream divination, and manipulating the hexagrams of the I Ching (Classic of Changes). In Tai Xiangzhou’s turbulent cosmos, surging meteorites enter the Earth’s atmosphere, as surrounding gases cause them to glow brightly. Tai uses antique ink from the Qianlong period (1736–95) in his masterful monochromatic play on silk. While the artist makes references to earlier traditions of Chinese painting, with his materials and techniques, the dynamic combination of light and dark ink with layers of ink wash conveys the high-pressure air in front of the meteors as they come hurtling toward Earth through mist and clouds.
Maker/Artist
Tai Xiangzhou
Classification
Painting
Formatted Medium
Ink on silk, mounted flat
Medium
ink, silk, mounted, flat
Dimensions
image: 38 3/4 × 77 3/16 in. (98.4 × 196.1 cm) mount: 46 13/16 × 86 5/8 in. (118.9 × 220 cm)
Departments
Asian Art
Accession Number
2018.26
Credit Line
Gift of Kathleen Yang in memory of Denis C. Yang
Rights Statement
© artist or artist's estate
Dominant Colors

Have a concern, a correction, or something to add?

Similar Artworks

musefully

Open source Elasticsearch & Next.js museum search.

Let's Stay Connected