Splashes of Stainless Steel by Zheng Lu Embrace Philosophy, History, and Technology

Composed of highly polished stainless steel, the sculptures of Zheng Lu (previously) appear suspended in space and time. Whether secured atop a pedestal, installed in a public park, or hanging in midair, each piece strikes a fine balance between motion and stillness and fluidity and fixedness.

The Beijing-based artist is deeply influenced by traditional Chinese philosophy and calligraphy. The energy, or qi, that courses through the universe shapes his work and is known to facilitate health, stability, and harmony in all aspects of life. Thousands of Chinese characters borrowed from historic texts additionally coat many of his sculptures, calling upon the past as a way to interface with the present.

a chrome-colored sculpture on a black pedestal in an abstract form of swirling liquid
“Undercurrent,” stainless steel

Lu is also increasingly interested in the burgeoning relationship between human artistry and artificial intelligence. “The advancement of technology will inevitably blur the boundaries between tools and creators, but the essence of creation remains rooted in human nature,” the artist tells Colossal. Viewed as a tool rather than a stand-in for human creativity, he is interested in how machine learning prompts us to more carefully consider authorship.

Through a creative approach that alternates between human and machine, Lu likens his process to “a relay race, with the artwork itself as the baton.” He continues:

I pass the baton to the computer, and it passes it back to me, each of us shaping the piece in turn. The final outcome is not entirely predictable. The existence of the world is defined by balance, and none of us can escape this principle. Hence, I embrace this method both in my life and work, where the process of creation is akin to the growth of life.

Lu is represented by Galerie Sept, and you can find more on the artist’s website.

a chrome-colored abstract sculpture installed in a public park that resembles a large swirling splash of liquid that has been frozen in time
Installation view of “Undercurrent”
a chrome-colored sculpture on a marble pedestal in an abstract form of swirling liquid
“Water in Dripping Vortex,” stainless steel
a chrome-colored abstract sculpture suspended from the ceiling in a gallery space that appears like a large splash of liquid frozen in time
“Whatever Journey it Takes” (2024), stainless steel, 560 x 540 x 240 centimeters
a chrome-colored sculpture on a white pedestal in an abstract form of swirling liquid
“Water in Dripping Circulation,” stainless steel
a chrome-colored sculpture on a metal base in an abstract form of swirling liquid
“Colosseum Fantasy” (2024), stainless steel, 120 x 100 x 242 centimeters

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $7 per month. The article Splashes of Stainless Steel by Zheng Lu Embrace Philosophy, History, and Technology appeared first on Colossal.

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