Emerald Tablet presents the first solo show of Chen Xiaoyun in ShanghART Gallery.

The exhibition speaks the rule behind desire and fantasies, and the title, Emerald Tablet, relates to a text with 13 proverbs in 1900 BC which purporting to reveal the secret of the primordial substance and its transmutations. It claims to be the work of Hermes Trismegistus ("Hermes the Thrice-Great"), a legendary Egyptian sage or god, variously identified with the Egyptian god Thoth and/or the Greek god Hermes, and the proverbs was worshipped by ancient alchemists.

Three parts separately represents “material”, “soul” and “outer images” with photographs, videos and installations, and the discussion suggests the inner world of beings. Having touched the balance around all mortals and immortals, now, Chen Xiaoyun practices to unfold his attention involved with experimental irony. The artist thinks the rules from the Emerald Tablet work on him too as they guided the ancient alchemists to explore the physical world with strong essence. Moreover, the precious factors in alchemy like “uncertainty” and “frustration” were inherited by art. Chen Xiaoyun speaks his mind carefully with metaphors and scenarios. Like the image of “octopus”, which was given multiple implications like “king” “sun” or “comet”, a power in chaos. Nevertheless, the rigorous order and basis appears whenever the surface was broken through, and the reason of everything runs on the same track.

As what was carved on the Emerald Tablet: As within, so without. As above, so below, bringing with all his faith, efforts and investigation to the unmerciful world, Chen Xiaoyun documented the daily-looking scenes that perhaps will reset your view to the daily life.

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