“For People, Food is the First Necessity: Qiu Zhijie’s Writing in a Market” Favorite 

Practitioner: 

Date: 

May 1 2021

Location: 

Beijing China

During the public vacation of May Day, also called International Workers’ Day, “For People, Food is the First Necessity: Qiu Zhijie’s Writing in a Market” was launched at the crowded Sanyuanli market in Beijing. The exhibition successfully aroused the enthusiasm of the public and it constituted an interesting contrast with the 16th Art Beijing 2021 which was located in the National Agricultural Exhibition Center that was two kilometers away from the Sanyuanli market. Where did this interesting feeling come from? Perhaps it was because it happened to hit a series of issues that art practitioners and the public have been concerned with recently, such as: What is the relation between art and life? How many possibilities are there for the connection between them? What on earth is art for?

External sources: 

https://www.cafa.com.cn/en/news/details/8330597
Posted by vanessaw_ on Apr 22 2024

Staff rating: 

0

Effectiveness

How does this project help?

Amplifies (issue or campaign)Brings public and political attention to an issue or campaign.  Can include prefigurative action, making the invisible visible.
Strengthens (community)Strengthens, builds and celebrates community through ritual and/or symbol.
Shifts (culture)Shifts the cultural landscape in order to imagine and enable change.

Timeframe For change

This project seems to be part of a campaign with a clear long-term goal. Long-term goals tend to be things like: end racism; end homophobia; make the sun stand still in the sky. A campaign with a long-term goal also needs to have some kind of theory of change.
this is an action-oriented campaign, the artwork's engagement with themes such as the fundamental importance of food, the intersection of cultural practices, and societal norms suggests a broader, philosophical exploration rather than an immediate, tactical objective. First of all, it encouraging audiences to reflect on the cultural significance of food and markets in their own lives and communities. Secondly, it is prompting deeper consideration of basic human needs versus cultural and artistic endeavors, exploring how these elements are intertwined in daily life. Last but not least, it stimulate dialogue about the role of public spaces (like markets) in fostering community interaction and cultural exchange.

Notes

The artwork’s location in a marketplace ensures high visibility and direct engagement with a diverse audience. This setting allows the artwork to be part of the everyday experience, potentially reaching people who might not typically visit art galleries. Given the use of calligraphy, a culturally significant form of art in Chinese tradition, and its setting, the project likely resonates deeply with local audiences, enhancing its effectiveness in communicating its themes. The artwork also raises awareness about the centrality of food in human culture and society. By integrating art into a common public space, it provokes discussions on the intersection of food, culture, and community among the viewers.