【MEDIA RELEASE 】
The Descending of Goddesses that Brings Bliss
Theme Monumental Sculpture Exhibition at Shanghai Art Fair 2015
Shanghai Art Fair 2015 (19th), one of the most prestigious art trading events in Asia, will be held
at Shanghai Mart (No.99 Xingyi Road) from November 12th to 15th this year, and will surely
become the main focus of the China Shanghai International Art Festival this time.
Recently, the Organizing Committee of Shanghai Art Fair officially announces that Galerie
Simard Bilodeau, as a famed US gallery and also one of the exhibitors, would stage an outdoor
monumental sculpture exhibition titled “Goddesses of Bliss”.
Mr. Daniel Winn, the curator for this themed monumental sculpture exhibition, has designed
and curated hundreds of exhibitions worldwide. This exhibition will prominently features an
installation of ten monumental sculptures in a 600 square meter European-garden setting at
the east square of Shanghai Mart. Among them, there would be eight life-size, heroic
sculptures by Asian Master Sculptor Tuan and two monumental sculptures by American Master
Sculptor Ira Reines, all solid bronze made.
Curator Daniel Winn explains that,in order to better present the idea that fine art bronze
sculpture can bring prosperity, enlightenment and happiness, the garden setting of the
exhibition will feature trees, plants, park benches and music all coordinated to contribute to a
Zen environment. Those sculptures are uniquely European-styled, and also have a subtle
oriental touch. The distinguished nature of bronze also delicately reflects humanity’s aspiration
for wealth, inspiration and happiness.
Master Sculptor Tuan, the main artist for the exhibition with the theme as “Goddesses of Bliss”,
is a Vietnam-American artist, and has also become one of the world’s most prolific sculptors of
monumental sculpture. He has been trying to convey the message of “existential balance”
through all his artwork. This time, he has created 8 muse sculptures for the themed exhibition:
“Four Elements”,”Melody”, “Memory”, “Euphoria”, “Meditation”, “Romantic Harmony”,
“Rendezvous” and “Reminiscence”.
“Four Elements” which stands 3.5 meters high depicts the elemental forces of fire, water, earth
and air in feminine form and symbolizes that the universe provides man with the raw elements
from which to create prosperity, enlightenment and happiness. Unchecked, those elements
can be detrimental but properly utilized and controlled by man they are the basis for our
civilization and the foundational materials from which all else is created. Like the sculpture
itself, what man creates from the elements can endure for generations, providing prosperity,
enlightenment and happiness for all. “Memory”, envisioned as a female figure with poised to
blow an instrument made from ram’s horn, is a call for us to honor and be mindful of our past
for it and the generations that came before us are basis for all prosperity, enlightenment and
happiness. “Melody”, a female figure playing the violin, symbolizes our responsibility to
maintain and build upon the prosperity, enlightenment and happiness created by our
ancestors, so that we achieve all three in greater measure thereby providing a solid foundation
for future generations. “Meditation”, a female figure playing a flute, calls us to be mindful of
our obligations to the future of our lineage as well as the future of our society and culture.
Through those sculptures, Tuan wants to say, “In our own pursuit of prosperity, enlightenment
and happiness we must conduct ourselves in a way that not only provides sustainability, and
conforms to the rules of the universe, but also creates the basis for future generations to build
upon our accomplishments.”
As another artist involved, Master Sculptor Ira Reines is a native of New York. He has
established a reputation as one of the world’s leading figurative sculptors. Apprenticed to Erté,
the father of Art Deco, at an early age, Reines has developed a body of sculptural work, which
examines the relationship between chaos and beauty and the universality of creation. He would
showcase two monumental pieces of his this time, titled as “Three Graces” and “Eternity”
respectively, communicating the wish for prosperous journeys and meditative enlightenment.
“Three Graces” has already been permanently collected by the Peninsula Shanghai.
Curator Daniel Winn says “The exhibition is designed to emphasize the commonality of the
human experience across cultures and throughout generations as we pursue prosperity,
enlightenment and happiness.”