The artist discusses his new commission, The Form of Light, for Bvlgari’s current exhibition in Shanghai.
Canvas: What can you tell us about your commissioned work for Bvlgari Kaleidos: Colors, Cultures and Crafts?
Zhang Ding: The Form of Light consists of an immersive light installation composed of two sets of golden light panels and glass humanoid heads with pixelated effects, all animated by light fluctuations.
What inspired the concept?
It was inspired by urban contemporary landscapes and new technology devices, and their inextricable presence in our society.
Why did you choose the title The Form of Light?
A strong golden light emanates from the work, flickering and varying as if breathing. Here light becomes the essence of the work, immaterial yet immersive, infusing a spiritual dimension into the piece.
How does the gold light impact the perception of space?
The variations in light from dim to bright can sometimes be almost blinding to the eye, such as sunlight, while creating heat.
What is the significance of using the colour gold?
Gold – and its countless symbols – is a recurrent element in my practice. In this work specifically, it could be interpreted as a spiritual glow.
Are there any other colours that hold a special significance to you?
In my past works, I also repeatedly used phosphorescent green, for its ghostly luminescence.
What do the transparent glass humanoid heads suggest? How does the gemstone-like surface interact with the installation?
With their futuristic aesthetics, the glass humanoid heads are reminiscent of robotic heads. Simultaneously, their sharp shapes and translucency echo gemstones and the way they reflect light.
Do you see the light as spiritual, natural, technological or something else?
All of those. Light – as with gold – holds so many symbols and is intimately linked to human civilisation. The work plays on this dichotomy between natural and man-made.
Why did you choose to work with glass and light? What about these materials speaks to you?
Both elements represent a form of purity and resonate with the glow of gemstones.
How does this work expand on your current practice?
The work is part of a body of installations I have been working on these last few years, probing developments in new technology, their background and impact on our society.
What does Kaleidos mean to you? How does your work with Bvlgari expand on the exploration of colour and light?
The term Kaleidos brings to my mind multiple light, colours and geometrical structures, as well as the multifaceted perspectives of our reality.
